Authenticator vs ESET VPN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Generates one-time passwords
- QR code setup
- Encrypted data storage
- Time-based and counter-based OTP support
- Offline operation
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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.
ESET VPN
Secure your internet connection with this VPN app. It encrypts your online traffic in real-time, assigns you a new IP address, and offers a no-logs policy for anonymity. Access servers in over 70 countries with unlimited bandwidth.
- Secure and encrypted online traffic
- Anonymous IP address
- No-logs policy
- Servers in over 70 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Multiple connection protocols
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ESET VPN requires a paid ESET subscription ESET VPN is an easy-to-use app that allows you to establish a secure connection when using public and private networks. Simply connect to a location in the VPN app and your device will be assigned a new IP address. Your online traffic is then secured and encrypted in real time, preventing unwanted tracking and data theft and allowing you to stay safe with an anonymous IP address. HOW TO ACTIVATE: 1. Purchase an ESET HOME Security Premium, ESET HOME Security Ultimate, or ESET Small Business Security subscription. 2. Create or log in to your ESET HOME account. Your subscription will be automatically added to your account. 3. In ESET HOME, start the "Add protection" process and choose whether to activate VPN for yourself or someone else. 4. If you're activating VPN for yourself, you'll be directed to a download page with setup instructions and your activation code. If you're setting it up for someone else, they'll receive an email with a link to a download page that also includes their activation code. WHY CHOOSE ESET VPN? • Rely on the powerful encryption of your online traffic Stay safe from the pitfalls of online space. ESET VPN keeps your connection private and your online traffic encrypted. We use an AES-256 cipher with an SHA-512 algorithm for authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key. • Say goodbye to bandwidth restrictions Enjoy unlimited access to online content. • Stay anonymous with our no-logs policy We don't collect or store any logs or data from your online activities, so your information stays where it should—with you. • Access VPN servers in over 70 countries Connect to over 450 secure servers in more than 70 countries and 100 cities (depending on your subscription). • Fine-tune your VPN with a range of connection protocols Different connection protocols accommodate different online conditions—would you like to prioritize speed or security? Perhaps you’re dealing with poor network conditions. Either way, we’ve got you covered—choose between WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP, TCP), WStunnel, and Stealth. • Navigate the app in your language This application supports 40 different languages—making it among the most accessible and user-friendly VPN apps.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ESET VPN at 4.3 against Authenticator's 3.7. Authenticator's advantage is monetization model (free vs subscription) and review sentiment (68% vs 42%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ESET VPN holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 407 and 502 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 42% of ESET VPN'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, ESET VPN every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Authenticator | ESET VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (407 ratings) | 4.3 (502 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 67.6% of reviews — better | 42.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 407 | 502 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matt Rubin | ESET, spol. s r.o. |
Customer experience
Authenticator
ESET VPN
User reviews
Authenticator
From 407 App Store ratingsWhat 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
ESET VPN
From 502 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 Easy and secure
- 👍 Very good and excellent vpn
- 👍 Outstanding performance
- 🔒 Peace of mind protection
- 👍 Protected against scammers
Room to improve
- 🐛 Keeps disconnecting
- 🐛 VPN stopped working
- 🐛 Broke after update
- 🐛 Not working after last update
- 🐛 App fails to open
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
ESET VPN
Reported bugs
16 issues- IKEv2 protocol not working after update
- App keeps disconnecting
- VPN stopped working after update
- App fails to open on iPad & iPhone
- Prevents access to ordinary websites
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Difficulty connecting
- App crashes many times
- New update not working
- Connections drop constantly
- Getting activation code issues
- Unexpected client version error
- App crashes on iOS 18.1.1 after activation
- Crashing on 11 pro max ios 18.1
- Server response invalid with activation code
- App does not work on Mac OS after OS update
- Cannot change port for manual connections
Requested features
9 requests- Fix IKEv2 protocol for iOS
- Improve connection stability
- Address website access issues
- Improve server speed and reliability
- Fix activation code issues for iOS
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Support for iPhone 15 Pro
- Fix app not working on Mac OS after update
- Make internet speed faster
- Make servers more active and strong
In-app purchases
Authenticator
No in-app purchases
ESET VPN
No in-app purchases









