The best Okta alternatives in 2026

Why People Look for Okta Alternatives

Okta is one of the best-known names in workforce identity. It gives employees one sign-in for their work apps (single sign-on, or SSO), adds multi-factor authentication (MFA), keeps a central user directory, and can create and remove accounts in other apps when people join or leave (lifecycle management, usually through SCIM provisioning). For many companies it works well. So why do so many IT teams shop around at renewal time?

The reasons usually fall into three groups.

Cost. Okta sells Workforce Identity as suites, billed annually. The Starter suite is $6 per user/month and covers SSO, MFA and Universal Directory. Lifecycle Management, the feature that automates onboarding and offboarding, is an add-on on Starter and comes included in Essentials at $17 per user/month. Professional and Enterprise are quote-only. On top of that there is a $1,500 annual contract minimum. For a 10-person company the minimum is the real price. For a 300-person company the jump from Starter to Essentials is the difference between about $21,600 and $61,200 a year.

Security trust. Okta is a security vendor, so its own incidents matter. In October 2023 an attacker used a stolen service account to get into Okta's customer support case management system between September 28 and October 17, 2023. Okta's root cause report says the attacker accessed files tied to 134 customers, some of them HAR files containing session tokens, and used those tokens to hijack sessions of five customers. In a November 29, 2023 update, Okta said the attacker had also downloaded a report with the names and email addresses of all its customer support system users, and warned of a higher risk of phishing. Okta says its production service was not affected, and an independent investigation it published in February 2024 found no further malicious activity. Still, for some security teams the incident started an evaluation that had not been on the calendar.

Complexity. Okta is very flexible: suites, add-ons, Workflows counts, Privileged Access resource units and separate governance products. That flexibility is useful in a large company and confusing in a small one. Smaller teams often want one bill that also covers laptops and Wi-Fi, which Okta does not focus on.

None of this means Okta is a bad choice. It means the right alternative depends on why you are leaving. This guide compares Okta with six alternatives:

• All-in-one identity plus device management: JumpCloud
• Lower-cost SSO with a familiar feature set: OneLogin
• Large enterprises with complex, hybrid environments: Ping Identity
• MFA first, with SSO added: Cisco Duo
• Microsoft 365 shops: Microsoft Entra ID
• Google Workspace shops: Google Cloud Identity

A note on Auth0: it often shows up in "Okta alternatives" lists, but Okta acquired Auth0 in 2021 and runs it as a business unit inside Okta. Auth0 is also built for customer identity (sign-in for the people who use your app), priced on monthly active users, not for employee SSO. If you want to leave Okta the company, or you need workforce SSO, Auth0 is not an alternative, so we left it out and added Google Cloud Identity instead.

We did not run these tools ourselves. This is a researched comparison based on each vendor's own pricing pages and documentation, checked in October 2026.

Comparison Table

Prices are in USD, checked October 2026 on each vendor's site. They change, so confirm on the vendor's pricing page before you buy.

Okta Review

Okta is the benchmark the others get measured against. It is an independent identity company (not tied to Microsoft or Google), and that neutrality is a big part of its appeal: it connects to almost any app and any directory.

Key features

• Single sign-on and MFA for workforce apps
• Universal Directory to hold users from many sources
• Adaptive MFA, Lifecycle Management and Access Governance in Essentials
• Workflows for no-code identity automation (5 flows on Starter, 50 on Essentials)
• Device Access, Identity Threat Protection and Identity Security Posture Management on Professional

Pricing

• Starter: $6 per user/month. SSO, MFA, Universal Directory, 5 Workflows. Lifecycle Management is an add-on.
• Core Essentials: $14 per user/month.
• Essentials: $17 per user/month. Adds Adaptive MFA, Privileged Access, Lifecycle Management, Access Governance and 50 Workflows.
• Professional and Enterprise: quote-based.

All suites are billed annually, with a $1,500 annual contract minimum. A 30-day free trial is available, and almost all products can be bought on their own or added to any suite.

Who it is for

Mid-size and large companies with many apps, several directories, and a team that will use Workflows and governance. If your identity setup is complicated, Okta handles complicated well.

Watch-outs

• Key features sit in higher suites or add-ons, so the real price is often above the Starter list price.
• The $1,500 minimum makes it expensive for very small teams.
• The October 2023 support system incident, described above, is something your security team will likely ask about.
• Standard online support is listed as 24 hours a day, five days a week.

JumpCloud Review

JumpCloud suits small and midsize companies that want to replace both Okta and a separate device management tool. It combines a cloud directory, SSO, MFA, lifecycle management and device management for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android in one admin console.

Key features

• Cloud Directory that can replace or extend Active Directory
• SSO and MFA, plus a password manager in the SSO package
• User Lifecycle Management for onboarding and offboarding
• Device management and MDM for Windows, Apple, Linux and Android, with patch management
• Cloud LDAP, Cloud RADIUS and Conditional Access for Wi-Fi, VPN and older systems

Pricing

• Device Management package: $9 per user/month billed annually, or $11 billed monthly
• SSO package: $11 per user/month annually, or $13 monthly. SSO and MFA plus Password Manager.
• Device Identity Management package: $13 per user/month annually, or $15 monthly. Device management plus identity management and MFA for devices.
• Platform Essentials: contact sales. Identity and device management, SSO and passwordless sign-in, for up to 300 users.
• Platform and Platform Prime: contact sales.
• A la carte: most features, including Cloud Directory, MFA, SSO and User Lifecycle Management, are $3 per user/month annually ($4 monthly). Passwordless and MDM are $5 annually ($6 monthly).

JumpCloud bills on the first of each month, says annual terms save up to 18%, and offers a 30-day free trial with full functionality. Prices exclude VAT.

Who it is for

Startups and midsize companies, often Mac-heavy or mixed-OS, that have no on-premises Active Directory and want one vendor for user accounts, laptops and network access. The 300-user cap on Platform Essentials shows where JumpCloud aims its bundled plan.

Watch-outs

• The lineup mixes self-service packages, a la carte features and contact-sales plans, so compare totals carefully.
• The full Platform bundles are not publicly priced.
• Larger enterprises with complex governance needs may find it lighter than Okta or Ping.

OneLogin Review

OneLogin is owned by One Identity and covers the same core ground as Okta: SSO, MFA, a directory and lifecycle management. Its big difference is a clear public price list that starts lower.

Key features

• SSO, MFA, reporting and an app catalog in every plan
• Active Directory sync in all plans; Entra ID and Google Workspace sync from Essentials
• Identity Lifecycle Management (limited to 5 apps on Basic, unlimited from Essentials)
• SmartFactor risk-based authentication, Desktop MFA, HR directory sync, RADIUS and Virtual LDAP on Business
• Smart Hooks and webhooks for custom logic on Business

Pricing

• Basic: $3 per user/month (pack price). Authentication and limited user management, up to 5 security policies and 5 lifecycle-managed apps.
• Essentials: $6 per user/month. Adds Entra ID and Google Workspace directory sync, custom fields and trusted identity providers.
• Business: $10 per user/month. Adds SmartFactor, Desktop MFA, HR directory sync, RADIUS, VLDAP and Smart Hooks.
• Enterprise: call for pricing. Adds LDAP directory sync, custom REST provisioning connectors and delegated administration.
• OneLogin Workflows: $2 per user/month add-on.

The page shows prices in US dollars for US customers and offers a free trial. It does not state the billing term, so ask sales whether pack prices assume an annual contract.

Who it is for

Companies that want an Okta-style product (SSO, MFA, provisioning) without Okta's suite pricing. HR-driven provisioning from systems like Workday sits in the Business pack.

Watch-outs

• Risk-based MFA and HR directory sync need the $10 Business pack.
• Billing terms and minimums are not on the pricing page.
• Enterprise features such as LDAP directory sync and delegated administration are quote-only.

Ping Identity Review

Ping Identity is the enterprise-focused option on this list. Its PingOne for Workforce cloud service includes gateways for LDAP, Kerberos and RADIUS, which matters when you still have older on-premises systems.

Key features

• SSO, a directory and a no-code identity orchestration engine
• Inbound provisioning from HR and other sources
• LDAP, Kerberos and RADIUS gateway for older systems
• Integration with Microsoft environments
• Adaptive MFA and passwordless sign-in on Plus

Pricing

• Essential: $3 per user/month. SSO, directory, inbound provisioning, LDAP, Kerberos and RADIUS gateway.
• Plus: $6 per user/month. Adds adaptive MFA, passwordless authentication and more Microsoft integrations.

Ping says these prices are based on an annual contract with a 5,000-user minimum. That means the smallest Essential contract works out to about $180,000 a year at list price. A 30-day free trial is available.

Who it is for

Large organizations with thousands of employees, hybrid infrastructure and a Microsoft environment to integrate with. If your Okta bill is already in six figures, Ping is a natural comparison.

Watch-outs

• The 5,000-user minimum rules it out for most small and midsize companies.
• Device management is not part of the offer.
• Expect a longer sales process and implementation than self-service tools.

Cisco Duo Review

Duo, part of Cisco, is best known for MFA. Its paid editions also include SSO, a directory and device trust checks, so it can stand in for Okta in smaller or simpler environments.

Key features

• MFA with push, passwordless and phishing-resistant options
• SSO and Duo Directory from Essentials
• Trusted Endpoints to check whether a device is registered or managed before access
• Risk-based authentication, session theft protection and Active Directory Defense on Advantage
• VPN-less remote access and full device trust with endpoint protection checks on Premier

Pricing

• Free: $0 for up to 10 users. MFA only.
• Essentials: $3 per user/month. Adds Duo Directory, phishing-resistant MFA, passwordless, SSO and Trusted Endpoints.
• Advantage: $6 per user/month. Adds Cisco Identity Intelligence, Duo Passport, session theft protection and risk-based authentication.
• Premier: $9 per user/month. Adds VPN-less remote access and complete device trust.

There is a 30-day free trial. Licenses are sold in steps of 10 under 100 users and steps of 25 above that. You can pay by credit card and change plans at any time. The pricing page does not say whether prices are billed monthly or annually.

Who it is for

Teams whose main goal is strong MFA everywhere, including VPNs and on-premises systems, and who want simple SSO on top. Very small teams can start on the free plan.

Watch-outs

• Lifecycle management and SCIM provisioning are not listed on the pricing page, so check them against your app list.
• Device trust is not the same as device management. You still need an MDM.
• Advanced risk features need Advantage or Premier.

Microsoft Entra ID Review

Microsoft Entra ID is the identity layer behind Microsoft 365. If your company already pays for Microsoft 365, you already have Entra ID Free, and possibly P1 or P2.

Key features

• SSO to SaaS apps and MFA, with security defaults on the free tier
• Conditional Access on P1
• Automated user provisioning to SaaS apps on Free; group, on-premises and HR-driven provisioning on P1
• ID Protection with risk-based Conditional Access, and Privileged Identity Management, on P2
• Lifecycle Workflows through Entra ID Governance or the Entra Suite

Pricing

• Entra ID Free: included with Microsoft cloud subscriptions such as Microsoft 365 and Azure.
• P1: $7 per user/month, paid yearly with an annual commitment. Included in Microsoft 365 E3, E5 and Business Premium.
• P2: $10 per user/month, paid yearly. Included in Microsoft 365 E5.
• Microsoft Entra Suite: $12 per user/month, paid yearly. Requires P1. Adds Private Access, Internet Access, ID Governance, ID Protection and Verified ID premium features.

Free trials are available for the paid plans.

Who it is for

Companies that run on Microsoft 365, Windows and Azure. Many of them pay for Okta on top of a Microsoft 365 plan that already includes P1, and consolidating saves a full line item. Device management comes from Microsoft Intune, a separate Microsoft product.

Watch-outs

• On the free tier, security defaults use Microsoft Authenticator for MFA prompts, with limited admin control.
• Lifecycle Workflows need ID Governance or the Entra Suite, not just P1 or P2.
• Licensing across Microsoft 365, Entra and Intune bundles takes effort to read.

Google Cloud Identity Review

Google Cloud Identity is Google's identity and device management service, sold on its own and billed through Google Workspace. It is the natural Okta replacement for companies that already live in Google Workspace.

Key features

• SSO with Google as the identity provider for third-party and custom SAML apps
• 2-Step Verification and security keys on both editions
• Basic mobile device management and endpoint verification on Free
• Automated user provisioning, Secure LDAP and advanced device management (including Windows) on Premium
• Google Cloud Directory Sync to bring users in from Active Directory or LDAP

Pricing

• Free edition: $0, with 50 user licenses by default. More free licenses can be requested.
• Premium, Flexible Plan: $7.20 per user/month, no commitment.
• Premium, Annual/Fixed-Term Plan: $6 per license/month with a one-year commitment.

Premium is billed through your Google Workspace subscription.

Who it is for

Google Workspace companies that use Okta mainly for SSO into other SaaS apps. The free edition covers SSO and 2-Step Verification, so a small team may not need to pay anything extra.

Watch-outs

• Automated provisioning and Secure LDAP are Premium only.
• Fewer workflow and governance features than Okta.
• Less suited to companies centered on Microsoft or with many on-premises apps.

How Pricing Compares at 10 and 50 Users

These are list prices per month for the entry plan that covers SSO and MFA, assuming annual terms where the vendor offers them. Lifecycle management, device management and advanced MFA can move you up a tier.

Okta's minimum hits small teams hardest: at 10 users on Starter you pay $1,500 a year even though list price would be $720. At 50 users the minimum no longer matters, but adding Lifecycle Management by moving to Essentials almost triples the bill.

Feature Coverage: What Each Tool Handles

Workforce SSO. Every tool here does SSO. Okta and OneLogin have the longest history as stand-alone SSO products. Entra ID and Google Cloud Identity are strongest when your main suite is already Microsoft or Google.

MFA. Duo is the specialist. Okta adds Adaptive MFA in Essentials, OneLogin adds SmartFactor in Business, Ping adds adaptive MFA in Plus, and Entra ID adds risk-based Conditional Access in P2.

Lifecycle and SCIM provisioning. Okta includes Lifecycle Management in Essentials and up. JumpCloud lists User Lifecycle Management. OneLogin includes it from Essentials (5 apps on Basic). Entra ID provisions users to SaaS apps on Free, with group and HR-driven provisioning on P1. Google Cloud Identity automates provisioning on Premium. Duo does not list it on its pricing page.

Directory. Okta has Universal Directory, JumpCloud a Cloud Directory, Duo has Duo Directory, Ping includes a directory, and Entra ID and Google Cloud Identity are directories at heart. OneLogin syncs from Active Directory on every plan.

Device management. JumpCloud is the only tool here that includes full multi-OS device management in the same product. Google Cloud Identity has basic device management for free and more on Premium. Entra ID pairs with Microsoft Intune. Duo checks device trust but does not manage devices. Okta offers Device Access on Professional and up.

Contract minimums. Okta: $1,500 a year. Ping: pricing based on 5,000 users. Duo: sold in steps of 10 or 25 users. Entra ID: annual commitment for paid plans. Google Cloud Identity: monthly Flexible Plan or annual plan.

How to Choose an Okta Alternative

Start with the reason you are leaving.

1. "We already pay for Microsoft 365." Check which plan you have. If it is E3, E5 or Business Premium, you already own Entra ID P1. Moving SSO into Entra ID is usually the cheapest path.
2. "We run on Google Workspace." Try Google Cloud Identity Free first. If you need automated provisioning or Windows device management, Premium is $6 per license/month on an annual plan.
3. "We also need to manage laptops." JumpCloud covers identity and devices together, which can replace both Okta and a separate MDM.
4. "MFA is our real priority." Duo is quick to roll out and cheap to start, and its SSO covers simpler app lists.
5. "We want Okta-style features for less." OneLogin has a comparable feature set and public pack prices from $3 to $10 per user/month.
6. "We have thousands of employees and old on-premises systems." Ping Identity is built for that scale, with a 5,000-user minimum to match.

Then check four practical things before signing:

• Your app list. Confirm that the SSO and SCIM connectors you need exist for every critical app.
• Your directory source. Active Directory, Entra ID, Google Workspace or an HR system? Each tool syncs from different sources at different tiers.
• Migration effort. Moving SSO means reconfiguring every app and re-enrolling every user's MFA. Plan a pilot group.
• The full bill. Add the tiers or add-ons you need for lifecycle, adaptive MFA and devices, then compare totals, not starting prices.

Final Recommendation

There is no single winner, because the best replacement for Okta depends on the rest of your stack.

For most small and midsize teams that want to leave Okta and also manage devices, JumpCloud is the strongest all-round pick. It puts directory, SSO, MFA, lifecycle and device management in one place, with public self-service prices and a 30-day trial.

If you are a Microsoft 365 company, look at Microsoft Entra ID first, because you may already be paying for P1. If you are a Google Workspace company, start with Google Cloud Identity, which can cost nothing for up to 50 users.

Pick Cisco Duo if MFA is the main job, OneLogin if you want an Okta-like product with simpler pricing, and Ping Identity if you are a large enterprise with hybrid infrastructure.

And if your environment needs Okta's breadth of integrations, Workflows and governance, staying on Okta and negotiating the renewal may still be the right call.