# PingID vs Microsoft Authenticator

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Authenticator at 4.7 against PingID's 2.2. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (703K vs 367) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). PingID's advantage is review sentiment (20% vs 12%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Microsoft Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 703K ratings behind it against 367, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 20% of PingID's written reviews are positive against 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PingID ships an update every 6 weeks, Microsoft Authenticator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PingID | Microsoft Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (367 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pingid/id891247102/reviews) | **[4.7 (703K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 367 | **703K** |
| Positive reviews | **19.8% of reviews** | 11.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #48 | **#13** |
| Size | 70 MB | 226 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ping Identity Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/799934473) | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) |

## What reviewers say

### PingID

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pingid/id891247102)

**Currently charting:** #48 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app enhances login security and verifies user identities. It also functions as a digital wallet for managing digital identities securely. Administrators benefit from mission-critical security features, and offline support is available.

**Highlights:** User identity verification, Digital wallet for identity management, Mission-critical security for administrators, Offline support, Seamless integration with PingOne ecosystem

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure login process
- 👍 Convenient with Apple Watch
- 🚀 Fast authentication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable, often doesn't work
- 🤯 Frustrating and confusing to set up
- 🤖 Poor user interface and UX
- 🔒 Overly intrusive permissions
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrectly identifies devices as jailbroken
- Fails to send push notifications consistently
- Camera issues when trying to scan QR codes
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Ability to add new devices easily
- Landscape mode support for iPad
- Customizable alert sounds
- Faster authentication process


### Microsoft Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Free · Productivity, #168 Top Free (US App Store)

Securely sign into online accounts with multi-factor authentication, passwordless login, or password autofill. Manage multiple accounts, including non-Microsoft services, and access Microsoft products and services seamlessly.

**Highlights:** Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Passwordless sign-in, Password autofill, Support for non-Microsoft accounts, Account management for work/school, Cert-based authentication

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless authentication
- 🔒 Secure login process
- 👍 Convenient passwordless sign-in
- 🚀 Smooth app performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Broken Apple Watch functionality
- 🐛 Backup and restore issues
- 🐛 Confusing login flow
- 🐛 Accounts disappearing after phone change

**Reported bugs**

- Authenticator app getting locked and requiring Touch ID
- Notification failures and authentication issues
- Accounts not syncing properly between devices

**Requested features**

- Add search and sorting for accounts
- Improve Apple Watch integration
- Provide better backup and restore options
- Streamline login process


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PingID free?

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

### Is Microsoft Authenticator free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PingID or Microsoft Authenticator?

Microsoft Authenticator is rated higher. PingID averages 2.2 out of 5 from 367 ratings, while Microsoft Authenticator averages 4.7 from 703K ratings.

### Do PingID or Microsoft Authenticator have ads?

Neither PingID nor Microsoft Authenticator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PingID or Microsoft Authenticator?

PingID ships an update every 6 weeks, and Microsoft Authenticator every 3 weeks. Most recently, PingID was updated on October 2, 2026 and Microsoft Authenticator on October 5, 2026.

### Which is more popular, PingID or Microsoft Authenticator?

PingID currently peaks at #48 in the App Store charts, and Microsoft Authenticator at #13. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*