Comparison

Microsoft Authenticator vs Pink Paper

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. 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

Pink Paper

Features
Read full description

Pink Paper is a daily journal of marked-up pages. WHAT IT DOES - Pick a blank page, a photo, or a screenshot - Mark it up with Apple Pencil or your finger: handwriting, shapes, lines and text boxes - Add a short line and save today's page - Every saved page collects on a year wall you can scroll through - All data stays on your device REQUIRES iOS 26 - Needs iOS 26 or later WITHOUT PRO Everything is unlocked for your first 3 days. After that, up to 3 papers in total. PRO - Unlimited papers Subscription Details - Pro Monthly: $2.99 / month - Pro Annual: $12.99 / year - Lifetime: $28.99 one-time Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled in Settings at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://danielius.studio/pink-paper/terms Privacy Policy: https://danielius.studio/pink-paper/privacy

Screenshots

Microsoft Authenticator4 screens
Pink Paper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Pink Paper's 3. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on chart position (#7 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Pink Paper's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). 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. Pink Paper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, Pink Paper every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Microsoft Authenticator versus Pink Paper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft AuthenticatorPink Paper
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (703K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews11.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings703K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#7 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationDanielius Chalikovas

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

Pink Paper

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Authenticator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Pink Paper

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Annual$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$28.99

Questions

Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Microsoft Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pink Paper free?
Pink Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Microsoft Authenticator or Pink Paper have ads?
Neither Microsoft Authenticator nor Pink Paper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Pink Paper?
Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pink Paper every 4 days. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on October 17, 2026 and Pink Paper on October 10, 2026.

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