# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App ｀

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.

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.

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.

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App ｀ every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 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)** | [4.3 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6448976943/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **29.9% 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 | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [WISDOM DATA LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1599668968) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #23 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/id6448976943)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Week Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Weekly Trial | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly PRO | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure authentication
- 💡 Useful for multiple accounts

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Free version with limited features
- Easier subscription management
- Better integration with Microsoft products


## 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 4.3 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 25, 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.*