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 two-factor authentication. Easily add services by scanning QR codes or entering secret keys. Generate verification codes offline for enhanced security.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Offline code generation
  • Cloud sync and backup
  • Supports 1000+ services
  • QR code scanning
  • Manual code entry
  • Account personalization
Features
Read full description

Authenticator app is a highly recommended 2FA authentication application for securing your multiple accounts on different platforms such as social media, internet and many such 1000s of services Make your security impeccable by adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your accounts from hackers. Just enable two-factor authentication in your provider's account settings, scan the provided QR code and you're good to go. Once configured, you can get the verification code without the need for an internet or mobile connection. ============ Top Features - Super Safe & Secure Your password is very secure and the application does not exchange data with the Internet, so no one else can know it but you. - Cloud Sync & Backup A secure, encrypted backup is automatically made in the Authenticator App in case your device is lost or replaced with a new one. And all your accounts will be automatically synced across all Apple devices - No Password Stored The Authenticator App generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) that are stored on the user's phone and do not require Internet access. As a result, the Authenticator App generates secure codes even when offline, which will allow you to authenticate securely even when the device is in airplane mode. - Supports All Popular Accounts The Authenticator app supports the most popular services, including Facebook, Coinbase, Amazon, Google, Instagram, Roblox and other vendors that support 2fa services, up to 1000+ - Setup Guide Don't know how to set up? No problem, we have prepared a setup method for you for almost all platforms that offer 2fa services. Just follow the steps to set it up. - Scan QR Code Just click on the QR code to scan it and you can setup easily in seconds without any hassle - Enter Code Manually Enter a secret key to the app for secure authentication. - Personalization The application allows you to set unique icons for your account, which can be selected from the list provided. This helps you to easily identify and categorize your accounts. More features will be coming soon… ============ Authenticator PRO Choose from different purchase options: • 1 month subscription • 1 year subscription Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the time of purchase confirmation. Subscription renews automatically unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. By completing your subscription, you agree to ZING's Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MbkvoLc3zLq-P3tGJ0r8YtkI0rEj7ZBJ96tOtMjBbzQ/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Service: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HN6jXfvs3dj7V11thiFUkjXyiJfg4PHu2ezoFgZ6raE/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator App at 82% against Microsoft Authenticator's 12%. Authenticator App also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Microsoft Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 368, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 82% of Authenticator App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better4.4 (368 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews82.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better368
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#6 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation珉予 翟

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings693,830 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,137 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

Authenticator App

All ratings368 ratings
Positive86.1%
Neutral2.7%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%

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 368 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Great security app
  • 💡 Feature for transferring codes to new devices
  • 👍 Reliable for a long time
  • 👍 Never have to remember passwords
  • 👍 Syncs login info across devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Cannot authenticate the account
  • 💡 Adding accounts needs easier entry

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

1 issue
  • Cannot authenticate the account

Requested features

2 requests
  • Easier account add
  • Keep the two digit authorization code with fingerprint

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions2
  • Authenticator PRO Month3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Authenticator PRO Year3 Days trial$39.991 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?
Microsoft Authenticator is rated higher. Microsoft Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 694K ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.4 from 368 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 4 days. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 21, 2026.

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