# Intel® Authenticate vs Microsoft Surface

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.

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 October 7, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Intel® Authenticate | Microsoft Surface |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/intel-authenticate/id1171157350/reviews)** | [3.2 (159 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-surface/id1476329686/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **159** |
| Positive reviews | — | 25.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.1** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Intel Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/388859709) | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) |

## What reviewers say

### Intel® Authenticate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/intel-authenticate/id1171157350)

This mobile app acts as a device companion for an identity and access management solution. It enables multi-factor authentication using device-based proximity.

**Highlights:** Device companion app, Identity and access management, Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Hardened device-based proximity factor, User authentication

**In-app purchases:** none


### Microsoft Surface

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-surface/id1476329686)

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.

**Highlights:** Update earbuds and headphones, View and change device info, View battery and volume, Personalize settings, Change equalizer settings, Control connected devices, Reset devices

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Excellent audio quality and crisp sound
- 🎚️ Useful EQ customization capabilities
- 📱 Smooth out-of-box setup experience
- 🔗 Hardware quality is solid
- ⚡ Quick app loading when functional

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App frequently fails to detect paired headphones
- 🔌 Constant connection and pairing issues
- 😤 Poor reliability and stability
- 🚫 App becomes completely broken after updates
- 🔐 Authentication and login failures

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- MacOS app support
- iPad landscape mode support
- Customizable gesture controls
- Better device switching between paired devices
- More EQ preset options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Intel® Authenticate free?

Intel® Authenticate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Microsoft Surface free?

Microsoft Surface is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface?

Intel® Authenticate is rated higher. Intel® Authenticate averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Microsoft Surface averages 3.2 from 159 ratings.

### Do Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface have ads?

Neither Intel® Authenticate nor Microsoft Surface shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Intel® Authenticate or Microsoft Surface?

Intel® Authenticate ships an update every 3 months, and Microsoft Surface every 2 months. Most recently, Intel® Authenticate was updated on October 7, 2026 and Microsoft Surface on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*