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Software · head to head

Authy vs Microsoft Defender

A

Authy

Software

Simple to setup, secure cloud backup, multi device support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Microsoft Defender

Software

Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Authy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Authy free consumer app with no paid tier, so there is no vendor-stated enterprise SLA or support plan on the pricing side; Microsoft Defender the overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Authy and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.

Attributes where Authy and Microsoft Defender differ
AttributeAuthyMicrosoft Defender
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Authy

  • Free consumer app with no paid tier, so there is no vendor-stated enterprise SLA or support plan on the pricing side
  • Vendor markets multi-device sync as a core feature, meaning account security depends on cloud-backed codes rather than device-only storage

Microsoft Defender

  • The overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
  • Full family and business protection requires a Microsoft 365 Family, Personal or Premium subscription rather than being included with the free built-in Windows version

Pricing, plan by plan

Authy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Authy review.

Microsoft Defender

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Authy if

  • You want to start without paying.
Authy review

Choose Microsoft Defender if

Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Authy on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Microsoft Defender review

Questions people ask

Is Authy or Microsoft Defender better?
Neither clearly leads. Authy starts at Free and Microsoft Defender at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Authy or Microsoft Defender?
Authy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Authy and On request for Microsoft Defender.
Does Authy or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Authy for free?
Yes. Authy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender starts at On request.
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Related pages

More on Authy

More on Microsoft Defender

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