Comparison

Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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. Getting started with autofill Microsoft Authenticator app can also autofill passwords for you. Sign-in on the Passwords tab inside the Authenticator app with your personal Microsoft account to start syncing passwords, including the passwords saved in Microsoft Edge. Make Microsoft Authenticator the default autofill provider and start autofilling passwords on apps and sites you visit on your mobile. Your passwords are protected with multi-factor authentication in the app. You will need to prove yourself with your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN to access and autofill passwords on your mobile. You can also import passwords from Google Chrome and other password managers. 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

Authenticator App

This app generates secure two-factor authentication tokens to protect your online accounts. It offers encrypted cloud backups and multi-device synchronization for easy recovery and access. The app works offline and can be secured with a PIN or biometric lock.

Highlights
  • Secure 2FA token generation
  • Encrypted cloud backups
  • Multi-device synchronization
  • Offline functionality
  • PIN and biometric lock
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App: 2FA・MFA・OTP delivers secure two-factor authentication codes for your accounts, keeping your online services protected with reliable TOTP generation. Simple, fast, and privacy-focused — perfect for securing logins without internet dependency. Key Features: - Generate TOTP codes for your accounts - Easy QR code scanning for quick account setup - Biometric security with Face ID or Touch ID - Secure cloud backup and data recovery - Offline functionality for use anywhere - Minimalist design for instant access Stay protected across all your services with Authenticator App: 2FA・MFA・OTP — your trusted companion for effortless account security. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-bRMtRSuH0pLoMZIwI69CA441mkxM0Cj0xaw91mEhTA/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-V6vBYQxi7tUSy_X5TVwc6skbLVyXHrjANNyCwFCOHU/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator App at 67% against Microsoft Authenticator's 12%. Microsoft Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Authenticator App sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 210, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 67% of Authenticator App'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 2 weeks, Authenticator App every 8 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better4.3 (210 ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better210
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#6 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationAuthentication Services

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings693,830 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,137 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

Authenticator App

All ratings210 ratings
Positive81.9%
Neutral5.7%
Negative12.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

Authenticator App

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

15 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions15
  • Digital Security Authenticator3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Enhance online security3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Generate one-time passwords$5.997 Days
Show 12 more
  • Smart Authenticator3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • One-Time Password Generator$7.997 Days
  • Secure Code Generator3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • One-Time Security Code App3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Smart Code Authenticator3 Days trial$11.997 Days
  • 2FA App$14.991 Month
  • Secure Verification Generator3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Secure your accounts$19.991 Month
  • Account protection Authenticator3 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • Secure your accounts$39.991 Year
  • Safe Login Code Generator3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • One-Time Password$59.991 Year

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 4.3 from 210 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 8 months. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 24, 2026.

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