Google Authenticator vs Microsoft Authenticator:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Authenticator had more branded searches than Microsoft Authenticator among authenticator apps worldwide. Google Authenticator had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Microsoft Authenticator had 550,000. Google Authenticator made up 65.4% of all authenticator app searches we track, and Microsoft Authenticator accounted for 29.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about authenticator apps, Microsoft Authenticator appeared in all five answers and Google Authenticator in four. Google Authenticator was mentioned before Microsoft Authenticator in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Google Authenticator, about 2 searches for every 1 for Microsoft Authenticator
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft Authenticator, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Authenticator, named ahead of Microsoft Authenticator in 3 of 5 answers
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Top authenticator apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Authenticator appeared in all five answers. Google Authenticator was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Google Authenticator was listed before Microsoft Authenticator in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Microsoft Authenticator5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Authenticator4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
2FAS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ente Auth2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Aegis Authenticator2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Authy1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Cisco Duo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about authenticator apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which authenticator app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best authenticator apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best authenticator app for account security?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“authenticator app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“two factor app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven authenticator apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Authenticator | Microsoft Authenticator | Authy | 2FAS | Ente Auth | Cisco Duo | Aegis Authenticator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 64.9% | 29.2% | 3.2% | 0.81% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 65.4% | 29.5% | 2.7% | 0.77% | 0.79% | 0.65% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 69% | 25.5% | 2.8% | 0.81% | 0.84% | 0.68% | 0.37% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.8% | 29.2% | 3.2% | 0.81% | 0.96% | 0.64% | 0.35% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.5% | 29% | 3.2% | 0.99% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Mar 2026 | 65% | 29.3% | 2.6% | 1% | 0.96% | 0.79% | 0.29% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.4% | 29% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| May 2026 | 64.4% | 29% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Jun 2026 | 64.6% | 29.1% | 3.2% | 0.99% | 0.96% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.7% | 29.1% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.1% | 29.3% | 2.6% | 1% | 0.97% | 0.65% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 65.4% | 29.5% | 2.2% | 1% | 0.97% | 0.65% | 0.29% |
How has the Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Authenticator was ahead of Microsoft Authenticator in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Authenticator’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide moved from 64.9% to 65.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Authenticator’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide moved from 29.2% to 29.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for authenticator apps worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Google Authenticator’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 64.6% to 65.4% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Authenticator’s and Microsoft Authenticator’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Authenticator
1 branded search term
- google authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
1 branded search term
- microsoft authenticator
Other head-to-heads among authenticator apps
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