Systems for collaboration system application authentication. A collaboration system identifies a downloadable application that comprises at least one operation that functions only after obtaining user authentication credentials. The application is configured to invoke one of a plurality of different authentication procedures based on a set of server-provided authentication style parameters. After establishing a connection between an application server that interfaces with the user device that runs the application, the collaboration system determines the set of authentication style parameters, wherein the determination is based at least in part on an identification of the user device or based at least in part on an identification of a user of the user device. The application server sends at least a portion of the set of authentication style parameters to the user device. The application obtains user authentication credentials by invoking one or more authentication procedures based on received server-provided authentication style parameters.