# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 22. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (694K vs 1.8K) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 12%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 21 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 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 25% 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 monthly. 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)** | [4.5 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-auth-plus/id6473080405/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 1.8K |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **25.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Appshub Bilgi Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1716289540) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #23 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-auth-plus/id6473080405)

This app provides secure two-factor authentication (2FA) codes for thousands of online accounts. It also offers a password manager with autofill, encrypted backups, and cross-device sync for enhanced digital security.

**Highlights:** Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes, Password Manager with Autofill, Encrypted Backups, Cross-Device Sync, Offline Access for codes, Built-In VPN Protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly Plan | $6.99 | per month |
| Two Factor Authentication App | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Yearly Access | $12.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $14.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| 2FA Authentication App | $19.99 | per year |
| 2FA Authenticator Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| AuthOne Authenticator Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $49.99 | per 3 months |
| Authenticator App Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Special Offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator Lifetime Deal | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 100% secure
- 🔒 Ensures safety for financial applications

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Not intuitive
- 💰 Expensive with no trial
- 🤖 Constant sales/VPN prompts
- 🚫 Difficult to uninstall
- 🤔 Confusing with too many options

**Reported bugs**

- Can't read QR codes
- App URLs don't work

**Requested features**

- Option to disable annoying prompts
- Improve user-friendliness


## 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 1.8K 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 monthly. 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.*