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 enhances online security by managing two-factor authentication codes for over 1,000 applications. It offers features like password leak detection, VPN protection, and secure password autofill, with cloud backups and biometric security options.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication code generation
  • Password leak detection
  • VPN protection
  • Password and account autofill
  • Cloud backups
  • Biometric security (Face ID, Touch ID)
  • Organize apps with folders
Features
Read full description

MFA Authenticator App – Your All-in-One Security Solution! Enhance your online security with MFA Authenticator App, a simple yet powerful tool for protecting your accounts. Manage your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes and passwords effortlessly, and add an extra layer of security to over 1,000 apps. KEY FEATURES: 1. Easy Setup with QR Code Scanning Secure your accounts in seconds. Simply scan a QR code to enable 2FA and enjoy instant, time-sensitive security codes. 2. Protect Over 1,000 Apps From Gmail to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more, our app integrates with over 1,000 apps. Secure all your accounts effortlessly with one tap. 3. Password Leak Detection: Be notified if any of your passwords have been compromised online. When you set a password on any website, the app checks for data breaches to keep you safe. 4. VPN Protection: Stay private and secure on any network. When you connect to public Wi-Fi or browse the internet, the app encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address to protect your identity. 5. Password & Account AutoFill Easily log in to your favorite websites and apps with one tap. Our smart AutoFill system securely fills in your saved usernames and passwords — no need to memorize or type again. 6. Cloud Backups for Peace of Mind Never lose access to your accounts. Our secure cloud backup ensures your data is safe and accessible whenever you need it. 7. Advanced Security with Face ID and Touch ID Add another layer of protection with Face ID, Touch ID, or a strong password. Keep unauthorized users out with ease. 8. Organize Your Apps with Folders Manage your apps efficiently. Create folders to keep everything organized and find your 2FA-secured apps faster. BUILT-IN PRIVACY TOOLS Quick Access with Widgets: Add the app to your widget for instant access to your 2FA codes without needing to open the app. Password Manager: Store and manage all your passwords securely. Private Browsing: Keep your online activity safe from prying eyes. Wi-Fi Security Scanner: Detect and avoid unsafe networks, protecting your data from breaches. Why Choose MFA Authenticator App? We go beyond basic 2FA. Our app is designed for simplicity, security, and efficiency. Whether you're securing personal or professional accounts, MFA Authenticator App has you covered. Take Control of Your Online Security: Effortlessly manage your logins and passwords. Stay safe online with Wi-Fi scanning and private browsing. Protect your accounts from unauthorized access with multi-factor authentication. Download MFA Authenticator App today and experience the ultimate peace of mind with effortless security! Subscription Pricing & Terms: Payment is charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation. Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in Account Settings. Auto-renewal is charged 24 hours before the end of the current period unless canceled. Canceled subscriptions remain active until the period ends; no refunds are issued. Unused portions of free trials are forfeited upon subscription purchase. For support, contact us at contact.matechmobile@gmail.com. Terms of service: https://matechmobile.org/infor/term.html Privacy policy: https://matechmobile.org/infor/privacy.html

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator ® App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator ® App's 13. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (694K vs 3.2K). Authenticator ® App's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment 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. Authenticator ® App sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 3.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 19% 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 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Authenticator ® App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthenticator ® App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (694K ratings) — better4.4 (3.2K ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews19.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings694K — better3.2K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#5 — better#83
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB135 MB
Age rating4++17
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationMatechMobile Software JSC

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 ratings3,197 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive19.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.7%

User reviews

Microsoft Authenticator

From 694K 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

Authenticator ® App

From 3.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable and efficient
  • 🚀 Smooth experience
  • 🔒 Keeps accounts safe

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
  • 💰 Not free, charges subscription fees
  • 🔒 Poor security, unable to log in
  • 🤖 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🤔 Misleading advertising

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

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera not working for face scan
  • Unable to find authentication codes
  • Codes not working, locked out of accounts

Requested features

2 requests
  • Add option to cancel subscription
  • Improve customer support

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

Authenticator ® App

Subscriptions11
  • Weekly Premium Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Weekly VPN Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 8 more
  • Monthly Premium Plan3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Monthly VPN Plan$14.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium Plan$19.991 Month
  • Yearly Upgrade Plan$39.991 Year
  • Yearly 7 Day Free Plan7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium Plan3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium Plan$59.991 Year
  • Yearly VPN Plan3 Days trial2 variants$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-time Payment$59.99

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 4.4 from 3.2K ratings.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator ® App have ads?
Authenticator ® App shows ads; Microsoft Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator ® App?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authenticator ® App every 5 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator ® App on September 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator ® App?
Microsoft Authenticator currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator ® App at #83. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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