# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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 (#5 vs #40). 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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | [4.6 (49K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1538761576/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 49K |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **42.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #40 |
| Size | 223 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [2Stable](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534145511) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Productivity, #21 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


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1538761576)

**Currently charting:** #40 Top Grossing · Productivity, #46 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $69.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $69.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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 #5 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator App at #40. 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.*