Comparison

Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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. Getting started with autofill Microsoft Authenticator app can also autofill passwords for you. Sign-in on the Passwords tab inside the Authenticator app with your personal Microsoft account to start syncing passwords, including the passwords saved in Microsoft Edge. Make Microsoft Authenticator the default autofill provider and start autofilling passwords on apps and sites you visit on your mobile. Your passwords are protected with multi-factor authentication in the app. You will need to prove yourself with your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN to access and autofill passwords on your mobile. You can also import passwords from Google Chrome and other password managers. 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

Authenticator App

This app provides secure two-factor authentication codes for your online accounts, enhancing security with encryption and backups. It offers seamless synchronization across Apple devices and quick access via widgets, even when offline.

Highlights
  • Secure & Private Encryption
  • Encrypted Backup
  • Automatic Synchronization
  • Quick Access Widget
  • Offline Code Generation
  • Multi-Account Import
  • Native Apple Experience
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App helps you keep your online accounts safe by giving you secure two-factor authentication codes for all your accounts. Key Features of the Authenticator App: - Secure & Private Encryption Your data is always encrypted, even in iCloud. Only you have access to your two-factor authentication data. - Encrypted Backup Create an encrypted backup of your codes to ensure seamless recovery in case you lose or upgrade your device. - Automatic Synchronization Across Apple Devices Enjoy real-time synchronization of your accounts across all your Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. - Groups Organize your accounts into groups for a cleaner setup. Share your groups with others and control access with flexible permissions. - Quick Access with Widget Access your 2FA codes instantly from the Home Screen with the Authenticator Widget, providing faster authentication. - Offline Two-Factor Authentication Generate secure codes even when your device is offline or in airplane mode. Your accounts remain protected no matter your connection status. - Multi Import Easily import accounts and 2FA codes from other authenticators like Google Authenticator, password managers, and files. - Native Apple Experience Enjoy a seamless experience on all Apple devices, with features like dark mode, intuitive gestures, and automatic data sync. - All Popular Accounts Authenticator App supports major platforms like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, Coinbase, Roblox, and thousands more. It’s the perfect solution whether you’re looking for an Authenticator App for Microsoft, an Authenticator App for Facebook, or an Authentication App for Instagram. - We’re Here to Help We constantly improve our app, don't hesitate to contact us at support@2stable.com to request a missing feature or an improvement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renew up to 24 hours before your next subscription payment is due via your App Store settings page. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Links Terms of Service: https://authenticator.2stable.com/terms-of-service/ Privacy: https://authenticator.2stable.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 18. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (694K vs 49K) and chart position (#6 vs #43). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 12%) and device support (5 vs 3). 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. Authenticator App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Authenticator against 4.6 for Authenticator App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 49K, 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 43% of Authenticator App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App every 10 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better4.6 (49K ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews42.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better49K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#6 — better#43
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB145 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation2Stable

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings693,830 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,123 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

Authenticator App

All ratings48,840 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews947 reviews
Positive42.6%
Neutral5.4%
Negative52.1%

User reviews

Microsoft Authenticator

From 694K 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

Authenticator App

From 49K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 👍 Easy to use and set up
  • 💡 Excellent cross-device sync and backup
  • 👍 Convenient desktop app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer devices
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🔒 Limited free version
  • 👎 Confusing setup and instructions
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes

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

Authenticator App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App not launching on M2 MacBook Air
  • Widget showing incorrect codes
  • Login issues after device changes

Requested features

4 requests
  • More widget customization options
  • Bulk import/export of accounts
  • Password manager integration
  • Automatic locking and unlocking options

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions10
  • Authenticator App$5.997 Days
  • Authenticator App3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Authenticator Premium$9.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Authenticator App3 Days trial2 variants$9.997 Days
  • Authenticator App3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Authenticator App3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Authenticator App Premium$49.991 Year
  • Authenticator App2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Authenticator App$69.991 Year
  • Authenticator App3 Days trial$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • Authenticator App Premium2 variants$99.99

Questions

Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Microsoft Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator App free?
Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Microsoft Authenticator is rated higher. Microsoft Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 694K ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.6 from 49K ratings.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Neither Microsoft Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authenticator App every 10 days. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Microsoft Authenticator currently peaks at #6 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator App at #43. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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