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 ‧

Enhance your account security with advanced two-factor authentication. This app provides double encryption, secure iCloud backup, and seamless integration with over 1000 popular services. It offers face recognition for effortless login and robust verification processes to protect your sensitive information.

Highlights
  • Two-step verification
  • QR code account addition
  • Encrypted iCloud backup
  • Compatibility with 1000+ apps
  • Face recognition login
Features
Read full description

Authenticator is an advanced app designed to enhance your account security through efficient account management and robust verification processes,which provides an extra layer of protection through double encryption. This significantly boosts the security of your accounts against unauthorized access. Additionally, the iCloud storage and sync capabilities ensure that your verification codes are securely backed up and easily accessible, preventing any loss. All features are unlocked with a subscription, allowing you to take full advantage of Authenticator’s comprehensive security solutions to safeguard your sensitive information effortlessly. You can gain all the benefits included: 1.Dual security with two-step verification Secure your accounts by generating a two-step verification code during the login process. This dual authentication method adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized one can access the accounts. By requiring a second code, it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. 2.Secure account addition via QR code scanning With authenticator,you can easily scan and add accounts, streamlining the setup process. This intuitive QR code scanning simplifies adding accounts, making it fast and convenient. Once added, you can manage all your accounts securely in one place, eliminating the need to remember multiple login credentials. 3.Encrypted iCloud backup for verification codes Authenticator offers a robust iCloud storage that securely backs up your verification codes,which ensures that your codes are safe from loss or theft, providing easy access whenever needed, and you can trust that your sensitive data is protected while being readily available for use. 4.Compatibility with over 1000 popular apps Support and integrate with more than 1000 popular applications, such as Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Google, Instagram and more,providing flexible usage across various platforms. 5.Face recognition for seamless authentication Our app incorporates advanced face recognition technology, allowing you to log in effortlessly and securely.With just a glance that you can authenticate your identity, eliminating the need for traditional passwords or verification codes. Subscription Pricing: - Auto-renewable yearly subscription at USD 39.99/year - Auto-renewable yearly subscription with 3-day trial at USD 49.99/year - Lifetime at USD 49.99 Note - Payment will be charged to the iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - The user and auto-renewal may manage subscriptions may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Contact us by: support@normalv.com Terms of Use:https://www.normalv.com/terms.html Privacy Policy:https://www.normalv.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App ‧4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Authenticator at 4.7 against Authenticator App ‧'s 2.5. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). Authenticator App ‧'s advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Authenticator App ‧ sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per year. 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 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Authenticator has 694K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 12% of Microsoft Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Authenticator App ‧'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App ‧ every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 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) — better2.5 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews11.6% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings694K — better1.1K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB32 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationNormal Vector

Customer experience

Microsoft Authenticator

All ratings693,830 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews4,123 reviews
Positive11.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative84.2%

Authenticator App ‧

All ratings1,134 ratings
Positive36.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative61.7%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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 1.1K App Store ratings

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Not the official Microsoft Authenticator app
  • 💰 Deceptive pricing and subscription model
  • 🤔 Unintuitive and confusing setup
  • 🙅‍♀️ Lack of instructions and support
  • 🔒 Potential security and privacy concerns

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

2 issues
  • App not working as expected
  • Subscription issues and inability to cancel

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Authenticator App ‧

Subscriptions3
  • Yearly VIP$39.991 Year
  • Yearly VIP$49.991 Year
  • Yearly 3DaysTrail VIP3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime VIP$49.99

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 2.5 from 1.1K 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 5 months. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App ‧ on September 23, 2026.

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