# Microsoft Authenticator vs Waitly

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Microsoft Authenticator at none against Waitly's 1. Microsoft Authenticator also leads on chart position (#6 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Waitly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Microsoft Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Authenticator | Waitly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (713K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **713K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 11.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 226 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Dominik Gausmann](https://appshunter.io/developer/1870320985) |

## 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


### Waitly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waitly-countdown-and-widgets/id6798378876)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Waitly Premium | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Microsoft Authenticator free?

Microsoft Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Waitly free?

Waitly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Microsoft Authenticator or Waitly have ads?

Neither Microsoft Authenticator nor Waitly shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Microsoft Authenticator or Waitly?

Microsoft Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Waitly every 3 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Authenticator was updated on October 20, 2026 and Waitly on October 7, 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.*