Comparison

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) vs Microsoft Defender

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

This app provides multi-factor authentication for enterprises, offering passwordless security through device-bound passkeys. It supports various authentication methods like OTP, biometrics, and push notifications to secure digital access.

Highlights
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Passwordless Security with Passkeys
  • One-Time Passcodes (OTP)
  • Push Notifications
  • Biometric Authentication
  • QR Code Authentication
Currently charting
Read full description

RSA Authenticator App Secure your digital life and streamline access with the RSA Authenticator App. Designed for enterprises and highly regulated industries, RSA offers a trusted way to secure authentication regardless of your environment. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Made Easy Protect your accounts with RSA's diverse multi-factor authentication (MFA) options, including one-time passcodes (OTP), QR codes, code matching, push notifications, biometrics, and hardware authenticators for an extra layer of security. RSA provides device-bound passkeys that are seamless and phishing-resistant, ensuring a smooth experience across your apps and services. Passwordless Security, Simplified Forget passwords; use passkeys. Use your device-bound passkey for fast, secure, and frictionless authentication—perfect for organizations looking to reduce risks and boost workforce productivity. Note: Your company must be an RSA customer to use this app. Contact your help desk administrator if you did not receive the information required to register your device. The RSA Authenticator app is an update to the existing SecurID 4.X app and a replacement for SecurID Authenticate 3.9.x app. Please refer to the “What’s New” section on macOS and iOS App Store for further details.

About

Microsoft Defender

This app offers comprehensive online security for individuals and families, providing antivirus scanning, threat monitoring, and identity protection. It helps safeguard personal information by scanning the dark web and offers credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services.

Highlights
  • Antivirus scanning
  • Threat monitoring
  • Dark web scanning for identity threats
  • Credit monitoring
  • Identity theft restoration
  • Anti-phishing protection
  • Multidevice alerts
Read full description

Microsoft Defender is an online security app for your personal life[1]and work [2]. Use Microsoft Defender for individuals[1] at home and on the go to stay safer online. Defender is an easy-to-use app that helps keep you and your family one step ahead of threats. Microsoft Defender for individuals is available exclusively with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription. All-in-one security app Protect your personal identity, and devices against malicious threats with antivirus scanning[3], threat monitoring[4], multidevice alerts, and expert guidance. Manage your security in one place ▪ Check the security status of your family’s devices and identity[5]. ▪ Get threat alerts, notifications, and recommended steps across your devices. ▪ Receive security tips and take recommended actions to improve your online security. Safeguard your family’s personal information ▪ Threats to your identity and personal identifying information[4] are continuously scanned on the dark web. ▪ Get credit monitoring with timely alerts and monthly credit reports.[6] ▪ Call an identity theft restoration expert anytime day or night if you need help. ▪ Get identity insurance coverage, up to USD1 million, to help cover legal and expert fees associated with restoration. Insurance coverage includes up to USD100,000 to recover lost funds.[7] Trusted device and data protection ▪ Anti-phishing protection for your and your family’s devices against new and existing threats [3]. ▪ Continuously scans for harmful links before you click on them to help protect you from malicious threats.   Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Microsoft Defender for Endpoint[2] is an industry-leading, cloud-powered endpoint security solution that helps to secure against ransomware, file-less malware, and other sophisticated attacks across platforms. 1. Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription required. Sign in with your Microsoft account. App is currently not available in certain Microsoft 365 Personal or Family regions. 2. If you are a member of a business or organization, login with your work or school email. Your school or business is required to have a valid license or subscription. 3. Does not replace existing malware protection on iOS and Windows devices. 4. Feature is available in the United States and US territories. 5. A one-time parent or legal guardian verification is required to receive dark web threat alert details for children. If the organizer’s family member is under 13, consent is not required to create and/or monitor a child’s identity. Consent is required to create and/or monitor identity of family members over 13 years of age. 6. Feature available in the United States and US territories. Credit score is a single bureau VantageScore 3.0 provided by Experian®. The monthly credit report is provided by Experian® using single bureau data. For users under the age of 18 or those without a credit history, credit score not included. Family organizers will not have the ability to onboard, view, and receive alerts related to family member credit monitoring. Your device's primary display language must be set to English. 7. The identity theft insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Review the Summary of Benefits: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/microsoft-365/summary-of-benefits-for-itm.

Screenshots

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)4 screens
Microsoft Defender4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Defender at 4.7 against RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s 2.7. Microsoft Defender also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (21K vs 331). RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, review sentiment, ads and chart position 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. Microsoft Defender sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. RSA Authenticator (SecurID) asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Microsoft Defender holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Defender has 21K ratings behind it against 331, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of RSA Authenticator (SecurID)'s written reviews are positive against 34% of Microsoft Defender's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RSA Authenticator (SecurID) ships an update every 3 months, Microsoft Defender every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
RSA Authenticator (SecurID) versus Microsoft Defender: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRSA Authenticator (SecurID)Microsoft Defender
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (331 ratings)4.7 (21K ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews34.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings33121K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#155 — better#161
DevicesiPhone, MaciPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB159 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRSA SecurityMicrosoft Corporation

Customer experience

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

All ratings331 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral10.0%
Negative52.6%
Written reviews565 reviews
Positive26.9%
Neutral12.6%
Negative60.5%

Microsoft Defender

All ratings21,437 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews543 reviews
Positive34.1%
Neutral12.0%
Negative54.0%

User reviews

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

From 331 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works great
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Convenient alternative to hardware token

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Face ID bug
  • 🐛 Persistent token disappearing issue
  • 🐛 Buggy app
  • 🤔 Confusing UI changes
  • 🤔 Ugly app icon

Microsoft Defender

From 21K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast
  • 🔒 Security
  • 👍 Ease of use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🔋 High battery drain
  • 🔍 Excessive data usage
  • 🤖 Compatibility problems
  • ⚠️ Disruptive to other apps

Bugs and requests

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Token import/sync issues
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Incorrect token generation on wrong PIN entry

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Apple Watch support
  • Implement Face ID/Touch ID authentication
  • Allow copying/pasting of token
  • Provide option to customize notification sounds
  • Add widget for quick token access

Microsoft Defender

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues
  • Unexpected app crashes
  • Inconsistent behavior after updates

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode support
  • Customizable VPN settings
  • Better integration with other apps

In-app purchases

None

RSA Authenticator (SecurID)

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Microsoft Defender

Subscriptions3
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$6.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Family1 Month trial$12.991 Month

Questions

Is RSA Authenticator (SecurID) free?
RSA Authenticator (SecurID) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Microsoft Defender free?
Microsoft Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender is rated higher. RSA Authenticator (SecurID) averages 2.7 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while Microsoft Defender averages 4.7 from 21K ratings.
Do RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender have ads?
Neither RSA Authenticator (SecurID) nor Microsoft Defender shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?
RSA Authenticator (SecurID) ships an update every 3 months, and Microsoft Defender every 2 weeks. Most recently, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Microsoft Defender on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, RSA Authenticator (SecurID) or Microsoft Defender?
RSA Authenticator (SecurID) currently peaks at #155 in the App Store charts, and Microsoft Defender at #161. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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