# Authenticator vs Authenticator App ™

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App ™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (407 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id766157276/reviews) | **[4.4 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 407 | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | **67.6% of reviews** | 29.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 16 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Matt Rubin](https://appshunter.io/developer/766157279) | [Codenhagen.IO ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1617641724) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id766157276)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Authenticator App ™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Premium | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Better customer support
- Easier subscription management


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*