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 multi-factor and two-factor authentication. This app generates unique verification codes to protect sensitive accounts and data from unauthorized access, offering peace of mind for your digital life.

Highlights
  • Generate unique verification codes
  • Encrypted data and iCloud backups
  • Sync 2FA tokens across Apple devices
  • Apple Watch support
  • Customizable icons
  • PIN lock and auto-lock
  • Biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID)
Read full description

Authenticator App: MFA & 2FA! Elevate your account security with Authenticator, a robust app designed to add an extra layer of protection during login. Safeguard your bank accounts and sensitive data with advanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA), ensuring peace of mind for your online activities. Key Features: - Enhanced Security: Generate unique verification codes for an added layer of login protection. Even if your credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is effectively prevented. - Privacy First: All your data is fully encrypted, including backups on iCloud, ensuring only you can access it. - Seamless Synchronization: Enjoy automatic syncing of your 2FA tokens across all Apple devices, so your codes are always at your fingertips. - Apple Watch Support: Access your verification codes conveniently from your Apple Watch. - Custom Icons: Personalize your codes with custom icons for an organized and visually appealing experience. - Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with popular platforms like Google, Facebook, and more. - App Protection: Add an extra layer of security with a PIN lock and auto-lock functionality. - Biometric Authentication: Use Face ID or Touch ID to securely access the app and generate one-time codes. Stay secure, stay private. Download Authenticator today and protect what matters most. Privacy Policy: netron.solutions/privacy-policy Terms of Use: netron.solutions/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator App at 50% against Microsoft Authenticator's 12%. Authenticator App also leads on device support (5 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (694K vs 658). On price, update cadence and ads 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 $4.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 658, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 50% 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 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better4.5 (658 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better658
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#7 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB202 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationNETRON LLC

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 ratings651 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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 658 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and reliable
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🔒 Secure authentication

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Misleading pricing and subscriptions
  • 🔒 Concerns about data privacy

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
  • Inability to add new accounts after update
  • Immediate logout after login
  • App crashing after updates

Requested features

3 requests
  • Compatibility with older devices
  • Support for more authentication providers
  • Horizontal iPad support

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions6
  • Secure Yourself - Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Monthly Offer Access$7.991 Month
  • Secure Yourself - Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Secure Yourself - 6 Months$24.996 Months
  • Secure Yourself - Mac Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Secure Yourself - Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time4
  • Claim Offer - FreeFree
  • Lifetime - OfferFree
  • Secure Yourself - Mac Lifetime$59.99
Show 1 more
  • Secure Yourself - Lifetime$59.99

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 4.5 from 658 ratings.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Neither Microsoft Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authenticator App fortnightly. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 14, 2026.

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