# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App+

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews) | **[4.8 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-plus/id1610508128/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 12K |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **77.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 136 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Rocket Apps GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1566586717) |

## 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-plus/id1610508128)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rocket Apps PRO Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Rocket Apps PRO Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Rocket Apps PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Rocket Apps PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Rocket Apps PRO Yearly | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## 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+?

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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*