# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | [4.5 (658 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6450535322/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 658 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [NETRON LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1692513455) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Productivity, #47 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-2fa-and-mfa/id6450535322)

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)

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Secure Yourself - Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Offer Access | $7.99 | per month |
| Secure Yourself - Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Secure Yourself - 6 Months | $24.99 | per 6 months |
| Secure Yourself - Mac Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Secure Yourself - Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Claim Offer - Free | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime - Offer | Free | one-time |
| Secure Yourself - Mac Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| Secure Yourself - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Compatibility with older devices
- Support for more authentication providers
- Horizontal iPad support


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