Comparison

Authenticator vs InstAddr

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

InstAddr

Create and manage multiple disposable email addresses for free. Use them for various purposes without worrying about spam or privacy. Addresses are permanent and can be accessed across devices.

Highlights
  • Create unlimited disposable email addresses
  • Permanent email addresses
  • Send, reply, and forward emails
  • Push notifications for new messages
  • Sync across PC and smartphones
  • Supports HTML mail and attachments
  • Built-in mailer functions
Features
Read full description

The sophisticated app enables you to create disposable email addresses for free just by activating it. Your account simultaneously maintains multiple email addresses, which you can utilize for different purposes. As the service does not have an expiry date, the addresses can be used permanently. -------------------- - “There is a website requiring email authentication to sign up, but I don’t want to receive spam messages and newsletters…” - “Someone I’m not very close asked for my email address…” - “I need a dedicated contact email address and web form for our event” - “There are people I’m not that close but want to keep in touch” The app perfectly caters for all these needs! ------------------- The app’s features are as follows: * You can simultaneously own as many email addresses as you like! You can create additional email addresses anytime you like in just a second without making any changes to the existing address. You can either use characters of your choice for the address or have the app to generate short addresses. The app, enhanced with our proprietary technology, is also able to automatically generate easily memorable addresses. * You can communicate with the address (write new messages, reply, forward, and share)! You can send out messages from the created address and attach files. The addresses also support latest features, such as SPF, DKIM (sender authentication), encrypted delivery, etc. * Push notification is available! The app notifies the arrival of new messages even when the app is turned off. It can also send out notifications to other smartphones and PCs. You can turn the push notification off or turn it on only for specified addresses. * Permanent email addresses! The addresses you create will function permanently unless you delete them. Even if you change your mobile or delete the app, the addresses remain intact and can be restored as soon as you sign in! Although sent and received messages are automatically deleted after a month, you can permanently save them by selecting protection mode for them. * You can sync with PC and other smartphones! You can use the same address on PC and other smartphones sync messages. No difficult setup is required! You only have to sign in with the automatically generated ID and password. * App supports HTML mails and mail attachments! The app accepts messages in any formats in any languages. You can also receive emoji and Deco-mails. You can send and receive mail attachments, while the system blocks malware attachments. * Perfectly functionable mailer! You no longer need other email apps, as all functions, e.g. inbox, sent box, filter, mail blocking function, etc. come as a package! You can open the service as a regular mailer from a browser, etc. * Full of original features not available in other mailer apps! You can share messages with friends as a website with a URL, assign email addresses to other people, and create web forms. More users are using the app to create dedicated contact email address for campaigns and events. [Premium Subscription Plan] You can upgrade to a premium subscription plan as an in-app purchase. You will receive the following benefits: - Hide Ads - Address creation using a premium domain. - POP3/SMTP access - Custom domain support Subscriptions start at $1.49/month or $7.99/year in the US, and can vary by region. Storage subscriptions purchased from the app will be charged to your iTunes Account, and automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed by going to iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://aquapal.net/privacy.php Terms of Use: https://aquapal.net/rule.php

Screenshots

Authenticator3 screens
InstAddr4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: InstAddr at 4.5 against Authenticator's 3.7. InstAddr also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 68%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume 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. InstAddr sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

InstAddr holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 407 and 956 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 86% of InstAddr's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, InstAddr monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Authenticator versus InstAddr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorInstAddr
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (407 ratings)4.5 (956 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.6% of reviews86.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings407956 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatt RubinAki Ueno

Customer experience

Authenticator

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

InstAddr

All ratings956 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews597 reviews
Positive86.4%
Neutral4.7%
Negative8.9%

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

InstAddr

From 956 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Convenient and easy to use
  • 💡 Customizable email addresses
  • 👍 Reliable service

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues and server problems
  • 🐛 Inability to receive verification codes
  • 🐛 Emails not being delivered
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance

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

InstAddr

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Server connectivity problems
  • Inability to receive verification codes
  • Emails not being delivered

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more email domain options
  • Improve integration with native email apps
  • Implement a login system to save email accounts
  • Provide better support and communication

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

InstAddr

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Plan (1 Month)$1.491 Month
  • Premium Plan (1 Year)$7.991 Year

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is InstAddr free?
InstAddr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Authenticator or InstAddr?
InstAddr is rated higher. Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 407 ratings, while InstAddr averages 4.5 from 956 ratings.
Do Authenticator or InstAddr have ads?
InstAddr shows ads; Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Authenticator or InstAddr?
Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and InstAddr monthly. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 22, 2026 and InstAddr on September 26, 2026.

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