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Software · head to head

Microsoft Defender vs Authy

M

Microsoft Defender

Software

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
A

Authy

Software

Simple to setup, secure cloud backup, multi device support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Authy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Authy free consumer app with no paid tier, so there is no vendor-stated enterprise SLA or support plan on the pricing side

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Defender and Authy differ
AttributeMicrosoft DefenderAuthy
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes

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.

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Defender

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender review.

Authy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Authy review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Authy if

  • You want to start without paying.
Authy review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Defender or Authy better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at On request and Authy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Authy?
Authy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender and Free for Authy.
Does Microsoft Defender or Authy 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 Microsoft Defender

More on Authy

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