# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App ©

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App © |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | [3.9 (575 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1662071074/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 575 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [IntelliVision limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1853739780) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #24 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/id1662071074)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Weekly PRO | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly PRO | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator 6-Months PRO | $29.99 | per 6 months |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan - Offer | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly PRO | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly PRO | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Lifetime PRO | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Unable to add accounts
- Subscription issues

**Requested features**

- Free trial option
- Easier integration with other services
- More transparent pricing


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