# Microsoft Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 16. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (694K vs 11). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (21% vs 12%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Authenticator against 4.6 for Authenticator App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 21% of Authenticator App's.

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App every 3 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)** | [4.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-cloud/id6497714349/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **694K** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 11.6% of reviews | **20.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 223 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Beijing Haohai Xincheng Technology Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737921321) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Productivity, #24 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-and-cloud/id6497714349)

Secure your digital accounts with advanced two-factor authentication. This app offers cloud backup to prevent lockout, supports a wide range of services, and includes a password manager for all-in-one digital identity management. It provides enterprise-grade security and seamless integration for personal and professional use.

**Highlights:** iCloud Cloud Backup, 2FA support for 1000+ services, Apple Watch support, Integrated Password Manager, Offline code generation, Import from Photos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $5.59 | per month |
| Week | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $23.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| permanent | $31.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |
| permanent | $129.99 | one-time |


## 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 4.6 from 11 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 3 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 22, 2026.

---

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