Comparison

Authenticator vs Authenticator App ™

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Authenticator

This app provides a secure and straightforward way to protect your online accounts. It generates one-time passwords that, when combined with your regular password, significantly enhance your account security. The app operates offline, ensuring your sensitive data remains on your device.

Highlights
  • Generates one-time passwords
  • QR code setup
  • Encrypted data storage
  • Time-based and counter-based OTP support
  • Offline operation
Features
Read full description

Authenticator is a simple, free, and open source two-factor authentication app. It helps keep your online accounts secure by generating unique one-time passwords, which you use in combination with your other passwords to log into supporting websites. The simple combination of the password in your head and the rotating passwords generated by the app make it much harder for anyone but you to access your accounts. • Easy: Simple setup via QR code, "otpauth://" URL, or manual entry • Secure: All data is stored in encrypted form on the iOS keychain • Compatible: Full support for time-based and counter-based one-time passwords as standardized in RFC 4226 and 6238 • Off the Grid: The app never connects to the internet, and your secret keys never leave your device.

About

Authenticator App ™

This app provides a secure way to manage two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) that update every 30 seconds, offering an extra layer of security without needing an internet connection. Features include iCloud backup, cross-device synchronization, and biometric unlock.

Highlights
  • Time-based one-time password (TOTP) generation
  • Secure iCloud backup and encryption
  • Synchronization across all devices
  • Unlock with FaceID or password
  • 100% Ad-Free experience
  • Compatible with over 2,500 websites and services
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App is a secure application for two-factor authentication (2FA) that stores and generates time-based codes (OTP) to protect your online accounts by adding an additional layer of security when signing in. Our universal authenticator app is compatible with more than 2.500 websites and services. Create your secure MFA token in seconds, just scan the QR code for a quick & easy setup. Enter your unique one-time password (OTP software token) generated by our app on the website and voila!  It is that easy to 2FA verify your online identity.  The 6-digit code will update to a new one every 30 seconds. This timer is so you never have to use the same time-based one-time password (TOTP) more than once and you don’t have to remember the number since it will change all the time. Once our code generator app is configured, you can get verification codes without the need for a network or cellular connection. Additional Universal authenticator app features include: * Easy and user friendly  No account setup is required, just scan the 2FA QR-Code and the Authenticator app is automatically ready to use. * iCloud Backup & encryption Your data is always encrypted when stored including when it is saved in your iCloud to make sure that you are the only person who can read your data. Our Authenticatir always create a secure and encrypted backup swell in case you should lose your device, so you can easily restore your data on another decide in your iCloud account. * Synchronization Across All Devices When using our authenticater app you can always switch between your devices and access your codes in real time on all devices connected to your iCloud. * Unlock with Password or FaceID To add an extra layer of security you can setup FaceID or a password in the app so you are the only one who can read your codes and for a faster access. * 100% Ad-Free Enjoy a completely Ad Free mobile two factor authentication experience for IOS and compatible with all Apple devices. We are also proud to say that our Universal Authenticator app push the boundaries by being compatible with all websites and all type of authentication practices including Multi-factor authentication (MFA), RSA SecurID, Time based one-time password (TOTP), 2 step verification, 2 factor authenticate (2FA Security Token), ID Verify and Online ID Account Protection & Security. ————————————————— Do you need help? Or have any questions? Please contact our dedicated support staff before leaving a negative review - we will always get back to you within 48 hours! SUPPORT: For any questions or requests, please contact our customer support here: https://intercom.help/codenhagenio-aps/en/collections/8884636-app-support ————————————————— Subscription terms: Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://www.codenhagen.io/app/Universal-Authenticator/Privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.codenhagen.io/app/Universal-Authenticator/Terms/

Screenshots

Authenticator3 screens
Authenticator App ™4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator App ™ at 4.4 against Authenticator's 3.7. Authenticator App ™ also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (24K vs 407). Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (68% vs 29%) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Authenticator App ™ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Authenticator App ™ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App ™ has 24K ratings behind it against 407, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 29% of Authenticator App ™'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator App ™ every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Authenticator versus Authenticator App ™: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorAuthenticator App ™
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (407 ratings)4.4 (24K ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.6% of reviews — better29.2% of reviews
Number of ratings40724K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatt RubinCodenhagen.IO ApS

Customer experience

Authenticator

All ratings407 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral6.6%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews293 reviews
Positive67.6%
Neutral6.1%
Negative26.3%

Authenticator App ™

All ratings24,209 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive29.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative67.9%

User reviews

Authenticator

From 407 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure, no cloud backup
  • 👍 Clean and intuitive UI
  • 💡 Open-source and transparent

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Tokens easily deleted by accident
  • 🔒 No backup/transfer options for tokens
  • 🔒 Locked out when changing devices
  • 🐛 Codes not working after app updates

Authenticator App ™

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Works well
  • 👍 Simple and straightforward
  • 🚀 Functional tool

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unable to remove accounts
  • 🐛 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
  • 🐛 Not user friendly
  • 🐛 Unreliable

Bugs and requests

Authenticator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen on iOS 26 upgrade
  • Codes not working on new devices
  • Unable to log in to accounts after token loss

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add biometric lock (Touch ID/Face ID)
  • Ability to export/backup tokens
  • Companion Apple Watch app
  • Folder/tag organization for accounts

Authenticator App ™

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • QR code scanning issues
  • Accounts not syncing properly
  • Subscription not cancelling

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Better customer support
  • Easier subscription management

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Authenticator App ™

Subscriptions2
  • Authenticator Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Authenticator Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator App ™ free?
Authenticator App ™ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator App ™?
Authenticator App ™ is rated higher. Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 407 ratings, while Authenticator App ™ averages 4.4 from 24K ratings.
Do Authenticator or Authenticator App ™ have ads?
Neither Authenticator nor Authenticator App ™ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Authenticator App ™?
Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator App ™ every 2 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 22, 2026 and Authenticator App ™ on September 28, 2026.

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