# Microsoft Authenticator vs Pink Paper

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Pink Paper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (703K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **703K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 11.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 226 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Danielius Chalikovas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896507822) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Productivity, #69 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


### Pink Paper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pink-paper-digital-journal/id6777923401)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro Annual | $12.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $28.99 | one-time |


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