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+

Secure your online accounts with this app. It generates and stores two-factor authentication codes for popular services. Features include QR code scanning, end-to-end encryption, and device syncing.

Highlights
  • Generate and store 2FA/MFA codes
  • Scan QR codes or enter manually
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Unlock with Face ID & Touch ID
  • Encrypted iCloud backup
  • Sync across Apple devices
  • Homescreen Widgets
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App helps you to secure all your online accounts. Use Authenticator App to scan, generate and save 2FA & MFA codes for popular services including Facebook, Microsoft, Instagram, Google, Amazon, Coinbase, Authy, Roblox and many more. • Store and generate secure two-factor and multi-factor (2FA & MFA) authentication tokens • Scan QR Codes or enter codes manually • End-to-end encryption for all stored codes • Unlock with Face ID & Touch ID • Encrypted Backup to iCloud • Easily restore codes when you switch or lose devices • Securely Sync codes across all your Apple devices • Works on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch • Homescreen Widgets for quick access • Works offline. No internet connection required. • Import existing tokens • Full support for time-based one-time password (TOTP) • Supports popular services including Microsoft, Facebook, Instagram, Google, Amazon, Coinbase, Roblox and thousands of other services SUPPORT Our goal is to build the best apps in the world. You can help us by reporting bugs and requesting features via Email: help@rocketapps.com TERMS & PRIVACY https://rocketapps.com/privacy.html https://rocketapps.com/terms.html SUBSCRIPTION TERMS: The App offers an auto-renewing monthly or yearly subscription to provide you with unlimited access to all PRO Features while you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App+4 screens

Verdict

The call

Microsoft Authenticator and Authenticator App+ both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 77% of Authenticator App+'s written reviews are positive against 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's. Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, update cadence and device support 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 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 4.8 for Authenticator App+. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 12K, 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 Authenticator App+'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App+
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings)4.8 (12K ratings) — better
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews77.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better12K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB136 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationRocket Apps GmbH

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 ratings11,857 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews509 reviews
Positive77.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative21.0%

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 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 👍 Helpful for account recovery
  • 💡 Useful for online security

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Login issues
  • 🐛 Accounts disappearing after app updates
  • 🔒 Difficulty resetting passwords
  • 💰 Subscription concerns

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 freezing during use
  • Codes not working as expected
  • Repeated prompts for new user setup

Requested features

3 requests
  • Forgot password feature
  • Ability to delete vaults
  • Better cross-device synchronization

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Authenticator App+

Subscriptions5
  • Rocket Apps PRO Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Rocket Apps PRO Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Rocket Apps PRO Yearly3 Days trial2 variants$39.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Rocket Apps PRO Yearly1 Year trial$39.991 Year
  • Rocket Apps PRO Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year

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+?
Authenticator App+ is rated higher. Microsoft Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 694K ratings, while Authenticator App+ averages 4.8 from 12K ratings.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App+ have ads?
Authenticator App+ shows ads; Microsoft Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App+?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authenticator App+ every 2 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App+ on September 23, 2026.

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