Intel® Authenticate vs Microsoft Surface
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Intel® Authenticate
This mobile app acts as a device companion for an identity and access management solution. It enables multi-factor authentication using device-based proximity.
- Device companion app
- Identity and access management
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Hardened device-based proximity factor
- User authentication
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The Intel® Authenticate Mobile Application is the device companion App for the Intel® Authenticate identity and access management solution. This application enables the hardened device-based proximity factor for user multifactor authentication (MFA). Intel® Authenticate must be enabled on the host system (laptop, etc.) and managed via host network IT policy to complete the solution. The App provides no function outside of the Intel® Authenticate solution.
Microsoft Surface
Manage and personalize your audio devices. Update firmware, view device information, and adjust settings like equalizer and volume. Connect and control devices, and access tutorials for assistance.
- Update earbuds and headphones
- View and change device info
- View battery and volume
- Personalize settings
- Change equalizer settings
- Control connected devices
- Reset devices
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Here are the things you can do: • Update your earbuds and headphones • View and change device info • View battery info and volume level • Personalize settings • Change equalizer settings to get the sound you want • Control which devices are connected • Change language settings • Reset your earbuds and headphones to the factory settings • Watch tutorial videos • Send us feedback
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Intel® Authenticate at 5.0 against Microsoft Surface's 3.2. Microsoft Surface's advantage is ratings volume (159 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.
Intel® Authenticate holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Surface has 159 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Intel® Authenticate ships an update every 3 months, Microsoft Surface every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Intel® Authenticate | Microsoft Surface |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 3.2 (159 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 25.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 159 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.1 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 70 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Intel Corporation | Microsoft Corporation |
Customer experience
Intel® Authenticate
Microsoft Surface
Bugs and requests
Intel® Authenticate
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Microsoft Surface
Reported bugs
11 issues- App stuck on scanning/searching for headphones
- Bluetooth connection drops during calls
- App won't recognize headphones even when paired
- Authentication hangs on 'Authenticating' screen
- Constant red light indicator issues
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- Firmware updates cause connection degradation
- App fails to load when headphones are connected
- Pairing mode limbo after power cycling
- Earbud chirping and constant disconnections
- Uneven battery drain between earbuds
- App incompatibility with newer iOS versions
Requested features
9 requests- MacOS app support
- iPad landscape mode support
- Customizable gesture controls
- Better device switching between paired devices
- More EQ preset options
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- Xbox wireless compatibility
- Ability to disable automatic noise cancellation on calls
- Case battery level indicator
- Computer/device management features
In-app purchases
Intel® Authenticate
No in-app purchases
Microsoft Surface
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Intel® Authenticate free?
Is Microsoft Surface free?
Which has better reviews, Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface?
Do Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface have ads?
Which is updated more often, Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface?
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