Comparison

HMRC vs Metro Bank Authenticator

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

Head to head
About

HMRC

Manage your taxes, benefits, and savings securely and easily. Check your tax code, claim refunds, and track your State Pension. Access Self Assessment and Child Benefit information, and find your National Insurance number.

Highlights
  • Quick secure sign-in
  • Check tax code and pay
  • Claim tax refunds
  • View State Pension details
  • Self Assessment payments
  • Manage Child Benefit
  • Find National Insurance number
Features
Read full description

Take control of your money and tax with the HMRC app It’s secure, free to download, and easy to use. Get on it, and join millions of people already saving time with the HMRC app. Key Features: - Quick setup: sign in using face recognition, fingerprint scan, or a six-digit PIN - Stay in control: check your tax code and see your pay before it even shows in your bank, so you know you're paying the right amount - Claim a tax refund: find out if you’re due any tax back from us and quickly claim a refund if you’re owed one - Check your State Pension: see how much State Pension you could get, when you can get it and how to increase it, if you can - Self Assessment: a safe and secure way to make Self Assessment payments and get information you'll need to file - Child Benefit support: claim, manage, and update your Child Benefit details - National Insurance: find and save your National Insurance number so you have it when you need it - Go paperless: opt to receive key messages from HMRC online Download the HMRC app today and stay on top of your money and taxes

About

Metro Bank Authenticator

This app provides a secure and convenient way for Metro Bank Business customers to authenticate online banking actions. It replaces the need for a physical security device, allowing for quick verification of logins, payments, and account changes directly from your mobile.

Highlights
  • Authenticate online banking actions
  • Secure login verification
  • Approve new payment setups
  • Confirm account changes
  • Replaces physical security devices
  • Convenient mobile authentication
Features
Read full description

We believe that people come first, and that everyone deserves a great experience every step of the way – whether it’s on our app, online or face to face. We’re here to make your life (and your banking) easier, which is why we’ve created our Authenticator app for our Metro Bank Business customers. Need some help? Our Local Business Managers and Relationship Managers are on hand to support you and your business. Features: You can use this app to authenticate certain actions on your Metro Bank Business online banking, like logging in, setting up new payments, or making changes to your account. It only takes a few taps – and there’s no need to worry about finding your physical security device. Metro Bank’s Authenticator app is available for customers registered for Commercial Online Banking and Business Online Plus. Standard data charges from your mobile service provider may apply. Help and support: If you experience any issues downloading or registering the Metro Bank Authenticator app, please visit us in store or call us on 0345 08 08 500. Metro Bank PLC. Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 6419578. Registered office: One Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA. We are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Metro Bank PLC is an independent UK Bank - it is not affiliated with any other bank or organisation (including the METRO newspaper or its publishers) anywhere in the world. "Metrobank" is the registered trademark of Metro Bank PLC. more

Screenshots

HMRC4 screens
Metro Bank Authenticator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HMRC at 47% against Metro Bank Authenticator's 0%. HMRC also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HMRC ships an update monthly, Metro Bank Authenticator every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
HMRC versus Metro Bank Authenticator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHMRCMetro Bank Authenticator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (583 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings583 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHMRCMetroBank

Customer experience

HMRC

All ratings583 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews857 reviews
Positive47.3%
Neutral5.0%
Negative47.7%

Metro Bank Authenticator

Written reviews19 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

HMRC

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Endless login loops and redirects
  • App freezing and becoming unresponsive
  • Inconsistent behavior after app updates
  • Issues with Face ID and biometric authentication

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved notification system for tax updates
  • Ability to view and manage tax details in-app
  • Better integration with banking apps for payments
  • More user-friendly design and navigation

Metro Bank Authenticator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HMRC

No in-app purchases

None

Metro Bank Authenticator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HMRC free?
HMRC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Metro Bank Authenticator free?
Metro Bank Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HMRC or Metro Bank Authenticator have ads?
Neither HMRC nor Metro Bank Authenticator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HMRC or Metro Bank Authenticator?
HMRC ships an update monthly, and Metro Bank Authenticator every 12 months. Most recently, HMRC was updated on September 24, 2026 and Metro Bank Authenticator on September 17, 2026.

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