# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator ® App

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator ® App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (694K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | [4.4 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6480253221/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 3.2K |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **19.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | #83 |
| Size | 223 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +17 |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [MatechMobile Software JSC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1567017153) |

## 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/id6480253221)

**Currently charting:** #83 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Siri integration, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly VPN Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly VPN Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Upgrade Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly 7 Day Free Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly VPN Plan | $69.99 | per year |
| One-time Payment | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Add option to cancel subscription
- Improve customer support


## 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 4.4 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 #6 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*