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

Enhance your online security with this app, offering a secure and reliable method to protect your accounts. It generates unique codes for two-factor authentication, ensuring your personal information stays safe.

Highlights
  • Account protection with 2FA
  • Easy setup and management
  • Backup and sync accounts
  • Secure code generation
Features
Read full description

Our Authenticator app is the perfect solution for your online security needs. We designed it to provide you with a secure and reliable way to protect your online accounts. Using advanced security protocols, our app generates unique codes that only you can use to access your accounts, ensuring that your personal information remains safe and secure at all times. Our main feathers: 1.Protect your accounts with 2FA. 2.Easy to setup & manage your accounts. 3.Backup & Sync your accounts. About subscriptions - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. * Terms of Use: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/terms * Privacy Policy: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/privacy * Support: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/support

Screenshots

Authenticator3 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator App at 4.7 against Authenticator's 3.7. Authenticator App also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (3.4K vs 422). Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (68% vs 41%). 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 4 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App has 3.4K ratings behind it against 422, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 41% 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 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (422 ratings)4.7 (3.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.7% of reviews — better41.3% of reviews
Number of ratings4223.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB46 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMatt RubinSkyRise Networks

Customer experience

Authenticator

All ratings407 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral6.6%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews294 reviews
Positive67.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative26.2%

Authenticator App

All ratings3,401 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive41.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative52.0%

User reviews

Authenticator

From 422 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 3.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Seamless functionality
  • 🚀 Quick and easy setup
  • 🔒 Robust security features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤯 Confusing user interface
  • 🔒 Unreliable authentication

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

3 issues
  • Unable to scan QR codes
  • Accounts not showing up correctly
  • Repeated login failures

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to add/manage multiple accounts
  • Improved syncing across devices
  • More transparent subscription model

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions3
  • Authenticator Monthly Premium3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Authenticator Weekly Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Authenticator Yearly Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Authenticator Lifetime Premium$69.99

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 422 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.7 from 3.4K 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 monthly. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 29, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 27, 2026.

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