# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | [4.4 (368 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-fast-2fa/id1642517432/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 368 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **82.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [珉予 翟](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501284139) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Productivity, #46 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-fast-2fa/id1642517432)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator PRO Month | $6.99 | per month |
| Authenticator PRO Year | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot authenticate the account

**Requested features**

- Easier account add
- Keep the two digit authorization code with fingerprint


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