Microsoft Authenticator
Capability scores
Methodology →- Authentication
- 4.5
- SSO & Federation
- 4.0
- Authorization
- 3.0
- Lifecycle & Provisioning
- 3.5
- MFA & Passwordless
- 4.5
- Governance & Audit
- 4.0
- Developer Experience
- 3.5
- Deployment Flexibility
- 3.0
- Pricing Transparency
- 4.0
- Support & Ecosystem
- 4.5
Scored 0–5 against a published rubric. Independent analysis, no vendor sponsorship.
Overview
Microsoft Authenticator is the free mobile app that delivers MFA and passwordless sign-in for Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). It is bundled with Microsoft 365 and Entra, so for the very large population of organizations already on Microsoft, it is the default second factor with no extra license to buy. Unlike a bare TOTP app, it is managed centrally through Entra Conditional Access, which makes it an enterprise control rather than a personal tool.
What it is good at
Push approval with number matching is the practical default, and it is far better than SMS or plain TOTP because the user must enter a displayed number, which blunts push-bombing. Passwordless phone sign-in to Microsoft services is mature, and the app also stores TOTP codes for third-party sites. Because it is governed by Conditional Access, admins get policy, reporting, and registration management without bolting on another product.
Where it falls short
Push and TOTP are not phishing-resistant unless you move to the app's device-bound passkey mode or to hardware keys; number matching reduces fatigue attacks but does not stop a real-time proxy. Its value is concentrated inside the Microsoft ecosystem, and managing it well still requires the right Entra licensing tier for advanced Conditional Access. It is a strong second factor, not a standalone identity platform.
Pricing
The app is free. The MFA and Conditional Access policy that make it an enterprise control come with Entra ID, with advanced policy gated to Entra ID P1/P2 tiers. Model your licensing with the TCO calculator.
Best for, and who should look elsewhere
Choose it if you run Entra ID and Microsoft 365; it is the obvious, included choice. Teams outside Microsoft, or those who need strict phishing resistance everywhere, should consider Yubico and other FIDO2/passkey options, or Duo for cross-platform managed MFA. See the full MFA directory.
Bottom line
The default, well-managed MFA for any Microsoft shop. Turn on number matching, and move to passkeys where you need phishing resistance.
More MFA vendors
All MFA →- Yubico4.7/5
- Duo Security4.6/5
- Beyond Identity4.1/5
- HYPR4.1/5
- 1Kosmos4/5
By SWI Community Team · Last evaluated 2026-06-19
Independent, community-driven analysis. No vendor sponsorship. Compiled from public research and community input and verified on a best-effort basis, so details may be incomplete or out of date. Scores are opinions, not advice. Trademarks belong to their owners; mention does not imply affiliation or endorsement. See the full disclaimer, or send corrections to [email protected].