Brandwave

Google Authenticator vs Microsoft Authenticator:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Authenticator had more branded searches than Microsoft Authenticator among authenticator apps in New Zealand. Google Authenticator had about 4,580 branded searches, while Microsoft Authenticator had 3,520. Google Authenticator made up 51.3% of all authenticator app searches we track, and Microsoft Authenticator accounted for 39.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about authenticator apps, Microsoft Authenticator appeared in all five answers and Google Authenticator in four. Microsoft Authenticator was mentioned before Google Authenticator in three out of five answers.

Among authenticator apps in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Authenticator, about 30% more searches than Microsoft Authenticator

Google Authenticator 4.6K searchesMicrosoft Authenticator 3.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Microsoft Authenticator, mentioned in every answer we collected

Microsoft Authenticator in 5 of 5Google Authenticator in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Microsoft Authenticator, named ahead of Google Authenticator in 3 of 5 answers

Microsoft Authenticator first in 3Google Authenticator first in 2

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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. Microsoft Authenticator was listed before Google Authenticator in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Microsoft Authenticator1st
  2. 2FAS2nd
  3. Google Authenticator3rd
  4. Aegis Authenticator4th
  5. Ente Auth5th
  6. Authy6th
  7. Cisco Duo–

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
  • Aegis Authenticator3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ente Auth2 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

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand 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 searches in New Zealand.

Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator among authenticator apps in New Zealand, by month

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
MonthGoogle AuthenticatorMicrosoft AuthenticatorAuthyCisco DuoEnte Auth2FASAegis Authenticator
Oct 202545.3%46%5.4%1.8%0.86%0.48%0.19%
Nov 202544.8%46%5.3%2.2%1%0.46%0.23%
Dec 202545.8%43.2%5.8%3.4%1%0.59%0.15%
Jan 202647.7%43%4.7%2.7%0.9%0.7%0.4%
Feb 202649.3%42.5%4.2%2.4%0.8%0.53%0.18%
Mar 202649.1%42.2%4.2%2.6%0.79%0.79%0.26%
Apr 202647.6%44.1%4.4%2.2%0.72%0.72%0.2%
May 202655.5%36.5%4.6%1.6%0.89%0.57%0.24%
Jun 202663.5%29.5%3.7%1.7%0.81%0.66%0.15%
Jul 202659%33.7%3.6%2.1%0.92%0.59%0.17%
Aug 202656.8%36.1%3.6%1.9%0.99%0.45%0.18%
Sep 202651.3%39.5%4.4%2.8%1%0.78%0.22%

How has the Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand authenticator apps in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Microsoft Authenticator gained share of searches among authenticator apps in New Zealand, from 36.1% to 39.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Google Authenticator lost share of searches among authenticator apps in New Zealand, from 56.8% to 51.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

13 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

8 branded search terms

  • 2fa google authenticator
  • google auth
  • google authenticator app
  • google authenticator authenticator
  • google authenticator desktop
  • google authenticator pc
  • google google authenticator
  • googleauthenticator

Microsoft Authenticator

5 branded search terms

  • app microsoft authenticator
  • microsoft authenticator
  • microsoft authenticator 2fa
  • microsoft authenticator authenticator
  • microsoftauthenticator

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among authenticator apps

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