Microsoft Authenticator vs Auth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Passwordless sign-in
- Password autofill
- Support for non-Microsoft accounts
- Account management for work/school
- Cert-based authentication
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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. 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.
Auth
Enhance your online security with this app that generates time-based one-time passwords. Protect your accounts from unauthorized access by enabling two-factor authentication and scanning QR codes. Secure your digital life with robust encryption and convenient backup options.
- Generates one-time tokens
- Two-factor authentication
- Encrypted vault
- Password/biometric unlock
- Supports HOTP and TOTP
- Automatic iCloud backups
- Multiple entry methods
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This app generates one-time tokens on your device which are used in combination with your password. This helps to protect your accounts from hackers, making your security bulletproof. Just enable the two-factor authentication in your account settings for your provider, scan the QR code provided and you're good to go! Main Features ◆ Encrypted, can be unlocked with a password or Touch/Face ID ◆ Supports industry standard algorithms: HOTP and TOTP ◆ Supports Supports 6/7/8 digits & SHA1/SHA-256/SHA-512 ◆ Supports automatic backups of the vault to iCloud ◆ Lots of ways to add new entries - Scan a QR code or an image of one - Enter details manually - Import from other popular authenticator apps ◆ Organization - Alphabetic/custom sorting - Custom or automatically generated icons - Advanced entry editing - Search by name/issuer Terms of Use: https://653a45caedf4b.site123.me/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://653a45caedf4b.site123.me/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Auth at 87% against Microsoft Authenticator's 12%. Auth also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Auth sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.
Microsoft Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 703K ratings behind it against 365, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 87% of Auth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, Auth every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.
| Parameter | Microsoft Authenticator | Auth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (703K ratings) — better | 4.2 (365 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | 87.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 703K — better | 365 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #6 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 226 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation | 婷 兰 |
Customer experience
Microsoft Authenticator
Auth
User reviews
Microsoft Authenticator
From 703K App Store ratingsWhat 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
Auth
From 365 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Convenient multi-device sync
- 🚀 Reliable performance
- 🔒 Secure backup and recovery options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent ads disrupting usage
- 💰 Paid premium version required for ad-free experience
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
Auth
Reported bugs
2 issues- Ads interfering with account setup
- Occasional crashes or freezes
Requested features
2 requests- Dark mode option
- Improved free tier with fewer ads
In-app purchases
Microsoft Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Auth
- Weekly premium$3.997 Days
- Yearly premium$49.991 Year
Questions
Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Is Auth free?
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Authenticator or Auth?
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Auth have ads?
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Auth?
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