Comparison

Microsoft Authenticator vs 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

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

Head to head
About

Microsoft Authenticator

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
Read full description

Use Microsoft Authenticator for easy, secure sign-ins for all your online accounts using multi-factor authentication, passwordless, or password autofill. You also have additional account management options for your Microsoft personal, work or school accounts. Getting started with multi-factor authentication Multi factor authentication (MFA)provides a second layer of security. When enabled, during login after entering your password, you’ll be asked for an additional way to prove it’s really you. Either approve the notification sent to the Microsoft Authenticator, or enter the one-time password (OTP) generated by the app. The OTP codes have a 30 second timer counting down. This timer is so you never have to use the same time-based one-time password (TOTP) twice and you don’t have to remember the number. The OTP doesn’t require you to be connected to a network, and it won’t drain your battery. You can add multiple accounts to your app, including non-Microsoft accounts like Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Google, LinkedIn, GitHub, and more. Getting started with passwordless Use your phone, not your password, to log into your Microsoft account. Just enter your username, then approve the notification sent to your phone. Your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN will provide a second layer of security in this two-step verification process. After you’ve signed in with two factor authentication (2FA), you’ll have access to all your Microsoft products and services, such as Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and more. Microsoft personal, work or school accounts Sometimes your work or school might ask you to install the Microsoft Authenticator when accessing certain organization resources. You will need to register your device to your organization through the app and add your work or school account. Microsoft Authenticator supports cert-based authentication by issuing a certificate on your device. This will let your organization know that the sign-in request is coming from a trusted device and help you seamlessly and securely access additional Microsoft apps and services without needing to log into each. Microsoft Authenticator may request the following optional permissions, which require your consent. You can continue to use Microsoft Authenticator without granting these permissions. However, some features may be limited or unavailable. For more information, please see below: - Face ID: To enable app lock and help protect your accounts - Camera: To scan QR codes when adding accounts to Microsoft Authenticator.

About

2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

Securely log in to your online accounts with two-factor authentication. This app protects your personal data and passwords from cyber threats with a simple, private, and open-source solution. It offers easy token restoration, app protection, and offline functionality.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Token backup and restore
  • App protection with passcode/biometrics
  • Open-source and transparent
  • Offline functionality
  • Cross-device sync
  • One-tap authentication with browser extensions
Features
Read full description

2FAS is the easiest way to enable two-factor authentication (or multi-factor authentication) to verify your identity and securely log in to accounts to keep your personal data and passwords protected from cyber threats — all from one app, 100% free! The world’s most secure, private, and simple 2FA app. Secure: • Easily restore your tokens with backups. • Add app protection with your passcode or biometrics. • 2FAS is open-source, transparent, and community-driven. Simple: • 2FAS syncs across your mobile devices. • An interface designed for simplicity. • One-tap authentication with 2FAS Browser Extensions. • Multi-language support. • Quick guides for setup and support. Private: • 2FAS works offline. • 2FAS doesn't store any passwords or metadata. • 100% anonymous use, no account required. It’s not too late to protect your data, so what are you waiting for? Protect your online accounts and services now with TOTP and HOTP algorithms. Start using the 2FAS authenticator app today! If you have any questions, talk with us on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/q4cP6qh2g5 Learn more about 2FAS: • Check our GitHub repository: https://github.com/twofas • Visit our website at: https://2fas.com/ • Follow us on X: https://x.com/2FAS_com • Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2FAS

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
2FA Authenticator (2FAS)4 screens

Verdict

The call

Microsoft Authenticator and 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 77% of 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)'s written reviews are positive against 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's. Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is ratings volume (703K vs 35K) and chart position (#13 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Authenticator against 4.7 for 2FA Authenticator (2FAS). That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 703K ratings behind it against 35K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 77% of 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) monthly. Both last shipped on October 5, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus 2FA Authenticator (2FAS): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft Authenticator2FA Authenticator (2FAS)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (703K ratings)4.7 (35K ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews77.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings703K — better35K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#13 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationTwo Factor Authentication Service Inc.

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings703,149 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,223 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

All ratings35,401 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews715 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative17.1%

User reviews

Microsoft Authenticator

From 703K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

From 35K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and fast
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • 💡 Customizable icons and folders
  • 🔒 iCloud backup and sync

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🔒 Lack of password/PIN protection
  • 🕰 No Apple Watch app
  • 🐛 Issues with push notifications
  • 🕰 Missing desktop/web app

Bugs and requests

Microsoft Authenticator

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Tokens disappearing after device changes
  • Push notification failures
  • Incompatibility with older devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Alphanumeric passcode option
  • Custom icon uploads
  • Apple Watch app
  • Desktop/web app
  • Improved support and communication

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Microsoft Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) free?
2FA Authenticator (2FAS) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)?
Microsoft Authenticator and 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 703K and 35K ratings respectively.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) have ads?
Neither Microsoft Authenticator nor 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) monthly. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on October 5, 2026 and 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) on October 5, 2026.

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