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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

1Password vs Microsoft Authenticator

1Password 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner 1Password
Microsoft Authenticator 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

1Password is the better choice for comprehensive password management, offering more features and generally better reliability, despite recent price increases and some usability complaints, while Microsoft Authenticator is a functional but often frustrating 2FA tool.

Full reviews: 1Password · Microsoft Authenticator

1Password provides robust password management, including family sharing and advanced features, though recent price hikes and occasional bugs have frustrated some long-term users. Microsoft Authenticator excels as a free 2FA solution, but users frequently report issues with device migration and a confusing user experience.

Head to head

Features edge: 1PasswordR2R9R20R23
1Password 1Password is praised for being a comprehensive password manager, offering more than just password storage, with features like SSH key support, passkeys, CLI integration, and family plans that help manage accounts for multiple users R2R20R23. However, some users find the interface bloated and miss simpler navigation R9.
Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator primarily functions as a two-factor authentication (2FA) app, generating codes and push notifications for login verification . It also includes a 'Key feature' for recovery . However, it lacks broader password management capabilities and some users wish for features like custom logos or grid layouts .
Ease of Use edge: 1PasswordR2R3R8R9
1Password Many users find 1Password easy to set up and use for daily password management, appreciating its clean UI and intuitive navigation on desktop and mobile R2R8R11. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight issues with complexity, especially for family accounts, difficulty deleting entries, and confusing interfaces post-updates R3R9. Some also report frustrating login loops or constant password re-entry .
Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator is often described as difficult, confusing, and not user-friendly, particularly when setting up on new devices or recovering accounts R66R67. Users frequently encounter a 'doom loop' where the app requires authentication from itself .
Reliability edge: 1PasswordR1R4R7R11
1Password Historically, 1Password has been seen as reliable, with users reporting years of problem-free use R11. However, recent reviews indicate a decline in reliability, with issues like data loss after updates, syncing problems across devices, failure to fill credentials, Safari extension issues, app crashes, and general bugginess R1R4R7.
Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator's reliability is a major pain point. Users frequently report codes not working, notifications not showing up, and being locked out of accounts . The app is particularly unreliable when changing phones, often leading to users being unable to access their accounts R62R64R66R67.
Price/Value edge: 1PasswordR4R6R7R12
1Password 1Password is a paid service, and while some users find it 'well worth the very reasonable cost' R20R23, many long-term customers are upset about recent significant price increases, with some reporting hikes of 33% or more R4R6R7R12. This has led several users to seek free alternatives like Bitwarden or Apple's native password manager R4R15.
Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator is a free app, which is a significant value proposition for users needing 2FA . However, some users perceive the constant need for authentication as an unnecessary burden, questioning the value of the added security steps .
Support tieR1R4R5R7
1Password 1Password's support is a major point of contention. Many users describe it as 'abysmal,' 'poor,' 'terrible,' or 'not helpful,' often citing slow email-only responses, lack of human contact, and unhelpful advice R1R4R7. Some users report being unable to cancel accounts or resolve critical issues like data loss R1R5R19.
Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator users frequently complain about the lack of real human support, reporting that they can only find AI responses or community forums that don't solve their problems . This is particularly frustrating when users are locked out of their accounts due to app issues .
Pick 1Password if

Pick 1Password if you need a comprehensive password manager for personal or family use, value strong security and advanced features like SSH key support, and are willing to pay for a subscription despite recent price increases R2R11R20.

Pick Microsoft Authenticator if

Pick Microsoft Authenticator if you primarily need a free two-factor authentication (2FA) app for your Microsoft accounts and other services, and are comfortable navigating a potentially frustrating setup and recovery process .

Evidence note: Reviews for 1Password are more detailed and cover a broader range of features and issues, reflecting its role as a full password manager. Microsoft Authenticator reviews are heavily focused on its core 2FA function and the associated frustrations with setup and recovery. The free nature of Microsoft Authenticator means its user base is much larger, and many negative reviews stem from the inherent friction of 2FA and device changes, rather than a paid service's core functionality.

Frequently asked

Is 1Password expensive?
1Password is a paid subscription service, and many long-term users have recently reported significant price increases, with some seeing hikes of 33% or more, leading them to consider free alternatives R4R6R12R15.
What happens if I lose my phone with Microsoft Authenticator?
If you lose your phone, you may be locked out of your accounts because Microsoft Authenticator does not have a robust backup capability and codes are tied to the device, making it very difficult to sign in on a new phone without the old one R62R64R66R67.
Does 1Password have good customer support?
Many users report that 1Password's customer support is poor, abysmal, and unhelpful, often limited to slow email responses and lacking human contact, which can be particularly frustrating for critical issues like data loss or account access R1R4R7R19.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 1Password 5/5 · US Love 1Password!!: I have been using 1Password for a couple of years now and it is hands down the best password management tool I’ve used. It makes keeping track of all my passwords a breeze and it’s super secure.
  2. [R9] 1Password 3/5 · US What happened???: This app used to work really well but it has succumbed to the bloat so many other apps have. Basic things like finding a login are mystical… No search box unless you go to each separate category, for example.
  3. [R20] 1Password 5/5 · US Life-saver for the sandwich generation: As someone in their 40s, not only do I appreciate not having to remember my own passwords, but this app has saved me hours upon hours of tech support for my parents. My dad passed recently and unexpectedly, and being able to access his accounts has made the logistics of death so much easier than it otherwise would have been. More than worth the monthly cost.
  4. [R23] 1Password 5/5 · US Lifesaver after parent’s death: A few years ago, I upgraded to a family plan and took on the daunting task of getting my parents’ passwords saved since they didn’t really have a secure system. This year, my father suddenly became very sick and ultimately ended up incapacitated in the few days before his death. As the account manager, I was able to recover his passwords for my mother as she had to
  5. [R3] 1Password 3/5 · US iPhone filter collections: iPhone app needs ability to filter out collections for family accounts like safari extension. Default IT for parents does not mean I want to see all their stuff every time the app is launched. Support says last collection is remembered, but that is not what I’m seeing.
  6. [R8] 1Password 5/5 · US Simple and Effective: I started my password manager journey using the embedded DuckDuckGo password manager. I did this really only out of a convenience at first, but quickly realized that the insecurity and frustration that that posed since I had already paid for a Nord that included Nord pass their password manager I decided to export my passwords from DuckDuckGo and import them in Nord Pass the
  7. [R1] 1Password 1/5 · US 10 Years of Data Lost. Poor Support: 1Password, after an update that they recommended, could not recover 10 years of password data. Nearly six months later I am forced to rebuild this info. Email help only is not enough and very frustrating.
  8. [R4] 1Password 2/5 · US From Hero to Zero: Usually when you pay at the high end for a simple password manager, you expect better service. Since they raised the price by 33%, this app fell off a cliff. Support is abysmal despite no doubt seeing all these responses asking you to email them. Trust me, that’s another interminable situation. Has significant issues with Safari it never used to have. Cannot recommend under any
  9. [R7] 1Password 2/5 · US Unacceptably poor on Mac: Update: developer responded asking me to contact them. But I had already reported these problems to support without much progress. Response was either disingenuous or just out of touch.. Once THE pwd manager for Mac, now terrible. Often opens new tabs in Safari with "welcome" screen... why? Several times in the past year it was unable to fill credentials on sites. (Unacc
  10. [R11] 1Password 5/5 · US De lo mejor que puedes poner en un teléfono: Llevo usándolo más de 15 años cero problemas cero conflicto actualizaciones frecuentes multiplataforma en fin algo que no puede faltar al menos en un iPhone que se respete. No es solo un lector de contraseñas. Es una joya de aplicación siempre actualizado 200 % recomendado por un usuario intenso durante muchos muchos años
  11. [R6] 1Password 3/5 · US 33% price increase for long-term loyal customer?!: Just learned new price for 1Password increased 33%. Feels like a smack in the face for being a long-time loyal customer. Great app but pricing / loyalty team needs to an upgrade! Really disappointing :(
  12. [R12] 1Password 3/5 · US Good app and service, but: Genuinely, great app. Works well. Desktop app and addon works well. However, the price increase from 30 to like 60 bucks is ridiculous. Will be moving password managers.
  13. [R5] 1Password 4/5 · US Want to cancel account: I want to cancel my account but since I never have used it I can’t get into the website to cancel it. Help!!!
  14. [R15] 1Password 3/5 · US Great but…: The app is great. I used it for years. But since they’re increasing the price it’s hard to justify posting for it when there are really good free alternatives such as Bitwarden which I just started using and is great.
  15. [R62] Microsoft Authenticator 5/5 · US Five star review loses points for lack of back up instructions: App works great. I had to wipe my iPhone and reinstall all of the apps. All of my app data was lost and I was unable to get back into some of my accounts that failed to reload when the app reinstalled itself. Be sure to have multiple ways to access your account, including a mobile number and email address in case your device is stolen
  16. [R64] Microsoft Authenticator 1/5 · US No backup capability: Authenticator is a single point of failure. If I lose my phone I won’t be able to login to my accounts. Google’s app lets you use it on multiple phones.
  17. [R66] Microsoft Authenticator 3/5 · US Sign in: Couldn’t sign into my new phone. Make an easy way to do that. I had to use my old phone. If I didn’t have it I wouldn’t have been able to sign in inside my new
  18. [R67] Microsoft Authenticator 1/5 · US STUPID: When you get a new phone you have to sign in again, but the only way to sign in is using the Authenticator app, which you cant sign in to because they require approval through the app!!
  19. [R19] 1Password 1/5 · US No “human” app support: Had my current prepaid “account frozen” with no remedy by “human” person or contact phone number for this company. Remedy is pending till they find a “human” to fix frozen application issue.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store