Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Passwordless sign-in
- Password autofill
- Support for non-Microsoft accounts
- Account management for work/school
- Cert-based authentication
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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.
Authenticator App
Secure your online accounts with this 2FA OTP manager. It offers easy account setup via QR code scanning or manual entry, and enhances security with biometric authentication. All one-time passwords are stored locally on your device for increased protection.
- 2FA OTP management
- QR code scanning for account setup
- Manual code entry
- Biometric unlock (fingerprint/face recognition)
- Local storage of OTPs
- Supports numerous platforms
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Introducing Authenticator - The Ultimate 2FA OTP Manager. Unmatched protection in just a tap! Authenticator - 2FA App is a highly recommended free 2FA app used for securing your accounts on different platforms such as Instagram, Google, Facebook, Github, Twitter, X, Binance, Salceforce, and many more. Scan QR Code: Effortlessly add your accounts by scanning QR codes. No more manual entry or hassle. Manual Code Entry: Easily enter authentication codes manually for added flexibility. Biometrics Integration: Unlock the app effortlessly with your fingerprint or face recognition for enhanced security. No Password Stored: The Authenticator application generates Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP), stored on the user's phone without internet access. This solution dramatically increases login security. For a safe and secure experience try the application NOW! Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/authenticator-policy/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/authenticator-policy/terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 6. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (694K vs 86) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (29% vs 12%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.19 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 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 29% of Authenticator App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Microsoft Authenticator | Authenticator App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (694K ratings) — better | 4.4 (86 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | 28.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 694K — better | 86 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #6 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 223 MB | 106 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation | Tatsat Brahmbhatt |
Customer experience
Microsoft Authenticator
Authenticator App
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
Microsoft Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Authenticator App
- Weekly$4.197 Days
- Weekly$9.997 Days
- Yearly$29.491 Year
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- Yearly$53.901 Year
- Lifetime$59.99
- Lifetime$79.99
Questions
Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Is Authenticator App free?
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Authenticator App?
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