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Authenticator by Matt Rubin
What Authenticator by Matt Rubin is
Authenticator by Matt Rubin is a free two-factor authentication client for iOS and macOS. It generates time-based and counter-based one-time passwords, standardized as TOTP and HOTP, for signing in to supported websites alongside account passwords. Users can add credentials by scanning a QR code, entering an otpauth:// URL or typing them manually. Credentials are stored locally in encrypted form in the iOS Keychain. The maker says the app never connects to the internet and secret keys never leave the device, while its privacy policy says information is not sent to the developer, other apps, servers or third parties. It includes no analytics or third-party analytics functionality, although iOS settings may allow Apple to collect usage or crash analytics. The source is available on GitHub under the MIT License. The Free plan costs nothing. Tokens stay on one device and are not included in iCloud or unencrypted backups, and multi-device sync is unavailable.
Who it suits
It suits iOS or macOS users who need TOTP or HOTP codes with local credential storage. It is also relevant to people seeking a free authenticator without developer or third-party data transmission.
What it does well
- Supports TOTP and HOTP codes
- QR, URL and manual account setup
- Credentials stored encrypted in iOS Keychain
- Maker says it never connects to internet
- Open source under MIT License
What to know first
- No multi-device sync
- Tokens stay on one device
- Tokens excluded from iCloud and unencrypted backups
- Available on iOS and macOS only
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free, open-source iOS two-factor authentication app | Free |
As mattrubin.me lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Authenticator by Matt Rubin focuses on local, offline one-time-password generation with several setup methods. Its lack of synchronization and backup inclusion matters for anyone using multiple devices.
Facts from Authenticator by Matt Rubin's own pages
- Analytics
- The app collects no analytics and includes no third-party analytics functionality, though iOS settings may allow Apple to collect app usage or crash analytics. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Backup limitation
- The App Store description says tokens are stored on one device and are not included in iCloud or unencrypted backups. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Code type
- totp and hotp · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Credential setup
- Users can add credentials by scanning a QR code, entering an otpauth:// URL, or entering them manually. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Credential storage
- Credentials are stored locally in encrypted form in the iOS Keychain. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker documents QR code, otpauth:// URL, and manual credential entry; it does not list named service integrations on the product page. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Multi-device sync
- No · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Network behavior
- The maker says the app never connects to the internet and secret keys never leave the device. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The project source is available on GitHub under the MIT License. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- OTP support
- The app supports time-based and counter-based one-time passwords standardized in RFC 4226 and RFC 6238. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform
- The maker describes Authenticator as a two-factor authentication client for iOS. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says the app does not send information to the developer, other apps, servers, or third parties. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The app generates one-time passwords to use with account passwords when signing in to supported websites. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product page links to GitHub to report an issue, and the privacy policy gives [email protected] for questions about that policy. · mattrubin.me, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- ios,macos · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Where Authenticator by Matt Rubin stands on Freedom251
- Authenticator apps#69 of 111