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 ©

This app generates Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP) for secure two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). It simplifies logins by scanning QR codes and storing encrypted account data, offering backup and sync features.

Highlights
  • Generates Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP)
  • Supports Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Supports Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • QR code scanning for setup
  • Encrypted data storage
  • Secure backup and sync
  • Touch ID/Face ID authorization
Features
Read full description

Two Factor Authenticator is a simple and secure Mobile Authentication app (2FA Authenticator) that generates Time-based One-time authentication Passwords (TOTP). Authenticator App to help keep your online accounts secure on supporting TOTP websites. This Authenticator app makes your login more secure! By automatically scanning a QR code, this authenticator app generates a one-time password (OTP) for two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), to protect your log-in and accounts from hacking. All commonly used online services like Google, Facebook, Github, LinkedIn, Dropbox, and thousands of other cloud applications can log in using the 2FA token generated by this authenticator app. With this authenticator, you can easily log into all your online accounts without having to remember various passwords. Authenticator app features: -Easy and user friendly No account setup is required, automatically scan QR Code with this authenticator and get a one-time password to enable 2FA/MFA authentication for your login. -Secure & Private Authy Authenticate All data stored in Authenticator is always encrypted, even when it's stored in iCloud to ensure that you are the only one who can access your data with 2-step authorization. - Protect your passwords Manage & Storage your account passwords, and keeps them safe and secure behind the one password that only you know. - Backup & Sync : In 2FA Authenticator, you can always make a secure encrypted backup, in case you lose your device or switch to a new one. With Autentifikator all your tokens will automatically synchronize across all devices. -Authorize with Touch ID or Face ID Confirm your identity with the application using Touch ID or Face ID and generate one-time tokens required to log in to your online accounts. - All Popular Accounts: We support verification (but are not associated with) the most popular services including Facebook, Google Chrome, Coinbase, Binance Playstation, Steam, Amazon, Paypal, Gmail, MS Microsoft, Instagram, Discord, Epic Roblox, and thousands of other providers. Information about the auto-renewal of subscription: – Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. – Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. – Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. The cost depends on the selected plan. – Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://auth.intellvis.com/log/inislab/page?k=privepolicy Terms of Use: https://auth.intellvis.com/log/inislab/page?k=termsofuse

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App ©4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Authenticator at 4.7 against Authenticator App ©'s 3.9. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). Authenticator App ©'s advantage is review sentiment (33% vs 12%) and device support (5 vs 3). On price 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. 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 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 575, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 33% 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 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App ©: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App ©
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better3.9 (575 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better575
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationIntelliVision limited

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 ratings575 ratings
Positive71.8%
Neutral5.2%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews231 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative63.2%

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 575 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Well-made app
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 🚀 Quick and efficient

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🐛 Confusing setup process
  • 🤔 Misleading pricing information

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 crashes on launch
  • Unable to add accounts
  • Subscription issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Free trial option
  • Easier integration with other services
  • More transparent pricing

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Authenticator App ©

Subscriptions9
  • Authenticator Weekly PRO$5.997 Days
  • Authenticator Monthly PRO$9.991 Month
  • Authenticator Weekly Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Authenticator 6-Months PRO$29.996 Months
  • Authenticator Yearly Plan - Offer$29.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly PRO3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly PRO$39.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly Plan$49.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly Plan3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Authenticator Lifetime PRO$99.99

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 3.9 from 575 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 months. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App © on September 22, 2026.

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