# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Authenticator at 4.7 against Authenticator App's 4.2. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and ratings volume (694K vs 86). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (20% vs 12%) and device support (5 vs 3). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 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 694K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 20% 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 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 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)** | [4.2 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6472872177/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 86 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **20.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Hearttell US Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/508262068) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #40 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-mfa/id6472872177)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication. This app offers passwordless sign-ins, seamless autofill, and encrypted backups. It supports a vast range of services and works across Apple devices, with advanced security features like Face ID and Touch ID.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Passwordless sign-ins, Seamless password autofill, Encrypted iCloud backup, Offline OTP generation, Face ID & Touch ID security

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App 2FA Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_MFA_Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App 2FA Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App 2FA Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Authenticator_App_Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App 2FA Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App One-time | $49.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_Onetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## 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 4.2 from 86 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 every 9 days. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 23, 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.*