Comparison

Microsoft Authenticator vs Auth

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. 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

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.

Highlights
  • Generates one-time tokens
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted vault
  • Password/biometric unlock
  • Supports HOTP and TOTP
  • Automatic iCloud backups
  • Multiple entry methods
Features
Read full description

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

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Auth3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, Auth every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Auth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuth
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (703K ratings) — better4.2 (365 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews87.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings703K — better365
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#6 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB10 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation婷 兰

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings703,149 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,138 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

Auth

All ratings365 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative18.4%
Written reviews142 reviews
Positive87.3%
Neutral2.1%
Negative10.6%

User reviews

Microsoft Authenticator

From 703K 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

Auth

From 365 App Store ratings

What 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

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Auth

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly premium$3.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Microsoft Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Auth free?
Auth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Authenticator or Auth?
Microsoft Authenticator is rated higher. Microsoft Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 703K ratings, while Auth averages 4.2 from 365 ratings.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Auth have ads?
Auth shows ads; Microsoft Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Auth?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Auth every 2 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 30, 2026 and Auth on September 30, 2026.

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