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Frameworks, core principles and top case studies for SaaS pricing, learnt and refined over 28+ years of SaaS-monetization experience.
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In today's digital landscape, robust identity and access management (IAM) solutions have become essential for businesses of all sizes. Two leading contenders in this space—Okta and Auth0 (now an Okta company)—offer powerful identity management platforms, but their pricing structures differ significantly. This detailed comparison will help you understand the cost implications of each solution to make an informed decision for your organization.
Understanding Identity Management SaaS Costs
Before diving into specific platforms, it's important to recognize what drives costs in identity management solutions:
- User volume: Most providers charge based on the number of users
- Authentication methods: Advanced options like multi-factor authentication often add costs
- Integration complexity: The number and type of applications being secured
- Compliance requirements: Industry-specific needs that impact feature requirements
With identity-related breaches costing organizations an average of $4.5 million according to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report, investing in the right authentication solution is both a security and financial decision.
Okta Pricing Structure Overview
Okta offers a tiered pricing model based on users and features:
Workforce Identity Pricing (Employee-Focused)
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Starts at approximately $2 per user per month
- Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Starts at around $3 per user per month
- Lifecycle Management: Starts at approximately $4 per user per month
- API Access Management: Enterprise pricing (contact sales)
For organizations seeking a comprehensive solution, Okta offers bundles:
- Workforce Identity: Combines SSO and basic MFA starting at $4-6 per user per month
- Enterprise editions: Start at approximately $15-25 per user per month with volume discounts
Customer Identity Pricing (Customer-Focused)
Okta's Customer Identity Cloud (formerly Auth0) typically follows a monthly active user (MAU) model:
- Free tier: Limited to 7,000 MAU with basic features
- Growth tier: Starting around $0.015-0.023 per MAU
- Enterprise plans: Custom pricing based on needs
It's worth noting that Okta requires annual commitments for most business plans, which impacts overall identity management costs.
Auth0 Pricing Breakdown
While Auth0 is now an Okta company, its pricing structure remains distinct:
Auth0's Monthly Active User (MAU) Model
- Free Plan: Up to 7,000 MAU with core features
- Essential Plan: Starting at approximately $0.015 per MAU (minimum commitment applies)
- Professional Plan: Starting around $0.023 per MAU with additional features
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for advanced needs
Notable Auth0 Pricing Considerations
- Billing is based on the highest number of unique users authenticating in a given month
- Machine-to-machine connections are priced separately
- B2B enterprise connections may have additional costs
- Volume discounts apply as MAU increases
According to industry analyses, Auth0 tends to be more cost-effective for customer-facing applications with irregular usage patterns, while Okta's per-user pricing may be more predictable for workforce applications.
SSO Pricing Comparison: Key Differences
When comparing authentication SaaS costs specifically for Single Sign-On functionality:
| Feature | Okta | Auth0 |
|---------|------|-------|
| Base SSO | $2-4 per user monthly | Included in MAU pricing |
| MFA Options | Often priced separately | More features included in base pricing |
| B2B Connections | Included in higher tiers | Additional costs may apply |
| API Usage Limits | Strict limits on base plans | More generous on comparable tiers |
A mid-sized company with 1,000 employees might spend approximately $24,000-48,000 annually on Okta's workforce solution, while a comparable Auth0 implementation would vary based on actual authentication patterns.
Hidden Costs in Identity Management Pricing
Beyond the advertised rates, consider these potential cost factors:
Implementation and Integration Expenses
Both platforms require initial setup:
- Okta typically has higher implementation costs for workforce scenarios
- Auth0 may require more developer resources for complex customer authentication flows
Support and Professional Services
- Okta offers tiered support packages starting at approximately 20% of subscription value
- Auth0 includes basic support but charges premium rates for advanced assistance
Compliance-Related Features
GDPR, HIPAA, or financial regulations may require advanced features:
- Okta bundles many compliance features in Enterprise plans
- Auth0 offers compliance features but may charge additionally for specific certifications
Making the Right Choice for Your Organization
When evaluating identity management pricing between Okta and Auth0, consider:
- Usage pattern: Are you securing employees (consistent usage) or customers (variable usage)?
- Growth projections: How will costs scale as your user base expands?
- Developer resources: Auth0 tends to be more developer-friendly but may require more technical implementation
- Integration needs: Which systems must connect, and how does each platform price these connections?
- Contract flexibility: Okta typically requires annual commitments while Auth0 offers more flexible options
Conclusion
While Okta generally offers more predictable per-user pricing that works well for employee-focused implementations, Auth0 provides a usage-based model that can be more cost-effective for customer-facing applications with variable authentication patterns.
For organizations with hybrid needs (both workforce and customer identity), evaluating the total cost of ownership for both platforms is essential. Many enterprises find that the technical capabilities, integration options, and security features ultimately outweigh small differences in base pricing.
As you evaluate identity management solutions, request detailed quotes from both providers based on your specific requirements, and consider engaging with implementation partners who can provide real-world cost estimates based on your unique environment.
Remember that the right identity platform is an investment in security, user experience, and operational efficiency—making it worth the time to thoroughly evaluate all cost considerations beyond the basic pricing tiers.