# Microsoft Authenticator vs 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

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 (#6 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

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.

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) monthly. Both last shipped on October 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (703K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews) | [4.7 (35K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-2fas/id1217793794/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **703K** | 35K |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **77.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 226 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Two Factor Authentication Service Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1217793793) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #28 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


### 2FA Authenticator (2FAS)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-2fas/id1217793794)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Tokens disappearing after device changes
- Push notification failures
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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 6, 2026 and 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) on October 6, 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.*