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 `

Enhance your online security with an app that generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for account access. It offers easy setup, robust security features like PIN and biometric protection, and supports over 1000 applications. Secure your digital identity with an extra layer of protection.

Highlights
  • Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs)
  • Easy account setup via QR code or secret key
  • PIN code and biometric authentication
  • Password storage and generation
  • Supports over 1000 applications
  • Backup and sync via iCloud
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App provides a secure and convenient way for users to protect their accounts by adding an additional layer of security. The app generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) that are used in conjunction with a user's login credentials to access online accounts, services, and applications. With its simple set up process, support for a wide range of services and applications, and high level of security, Authenticator App is an ideal solution for anyone looking to enhance their security and protect their online identity. Features: -Easy to set up Authenticator App is incredibly easy to add a new account. Users simply need to scan a QR code provided by the service or enter a secret key, which generates a unique six-digit code that changes every 30 seconds. This code is then used as a TOTP to access the account. -Highly secure The app uses time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) to generate unique, time-sensitive codes that cannot be guessed or reused. Additionally, the app is protected by a PIN code or biometric authentication, such as Touch ID or Face ID, ensuring that only authorized users can access the app and view their codes. With these security features, users can be confident that their accounts are protected from unauthorized access and hacking attempts. -Password storage protection Password storage protection is a secure and convenient way to store and manage your passwords for various online accounts. With advanced security measures, ease of use, and automatic syncing, it allows you to keep your sensitive information private and protected from unauthorized access. -Password generator A random password generator is a tool that creates unique, strong passwords for online accounts. It generates passwords using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, making them difficult for hackers to guess or crack. -Supports 1000+ Apps Authenticator App supports a wide range of services and applications, including Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Amazon, and more. -Backup and sync With Auto-Sync on, you can easily back up your 2FA accounts to your iCloud. Subscription: Payment will be charged to iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is disabled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period and will identify the cost of renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://ws.wisdomalls.com/log/wisdom/privacy_policy Terms of Use: https://ws.wisdomalls.com/log/wisdom/terms_of_use

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App `4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator App `'s 6. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Authenticator App `'s advantage is review sentiment (30% vs 12%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). 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 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 30% 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.

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) — better4.3 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews29.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better31
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 Pro — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB27 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationWISDOM DATA LIMITED

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 ratings31 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral6.5%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews211 reviews
Positive29.9%
Neutral3.3%
Negative66.8%

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 31 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 💡 Useful for multiple accounts

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance
  • 🤔 Misleading app description
  • 🤯 Difficult to cancel subscription

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
  • Unable to scan QR codes
  • Incorrect verification codes
  • Subscription issues after device change

Requested features

3 requests
  • Free version with limited features
  • Easier subscription management
  • Better integration with Microsoft products

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Authenticator App `

Subscriptions6
  • Authenticator Week Plan$6.997 Days
  • Authenticator Weekly Trial3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Authenticator monthly Premium$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Authenticator Yearly Plan3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly Premium$39.991 Year
  • Authenticator Yearly PRO$49.991 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 4.3 from 31 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.

Other comparisons