Auth0 vs Okta: Key differences and use cases [2025]

Identity and access management (IAM) has become essential for businesses handling user authentication and authorization. This includes everything from login screens to multi-factor authentication and user permissions.

As more companies move online and handle sensitive user data, choosing the right IAM software matters. Auth0 and Okta are two established cloud-based platforms in this space, though they serve different primary use cases and target different audiences.

Okta acquired Auth0 in 2021, but both products continue to operate as separate platforms with distinct feature sets, pricing models, and target markets. 

This comparison examines their key differences, pros and cons for a detailed overview. We'll also look at whether there's a better alternative that handles more than just identity management.

What is Auth0?

Auth0 is a developer-focused identity platform that provides authentication and authorization services, designed for customer-facing applications. 

The platform uses standard protocols like OAuth 2.0, LDAP, OIDC, and SAML for integration with web, mobile, and API applications.

Founded in 2013, Auth0 focuses on B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) identity scenarios. The platform emphasizes customizable authentication flows, API security, and developer experience over traditional enterprise workforce management features.

Auth0's key features

Auth0 provides multiple features which include:

Customizable authentication flows

Auth0 offers extensive customization through Actions, which let developers execute custom code at specific points in the authentication pipeline. The Universal Login feature provides a centralized login page that can be fully branded and customized. Additional customization options include custom domains for brand consistency, internationalization for global users, and custom email templates.

API-centric design

Auth0 authentication API handles identity functionality and protocols like OIDC, OAuth, and SAML. While the management API allows organizations to manage their Auth0 account programmatically, automating most tasks available in the Auth0 dashboard.

Multi-tenant architecture

Auth0 supports multi-tenant applications through Auth0 Organizations, which allows businesses to segment users into groups with separate permissions and access levels. This feature is designed for B2B implementations where multiple organizations need their own authentication experiences and user management.

Security features

Auth0 provides security tools, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and attack protection features that automatically detect and respond to malicious behavior. The platform also includes continuous session protection, a security center for real-time threat monitoring, and tenant-level access control lists to block unwanted traffic.

Pros and cons of Auth0

Benefits of Auth0

• Comprehensive documentation, active community, and extensive code examples
• Native support for OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, and other modern authentication standards
• Marketplace with hundreds of integrations for third-party services

Drawbacks of Auth0

• Complex customization requires solid understanding of APIs
• Implementation timelines can be impacted by complexity
• Integration challenges with complex multi-tenant architecture scenarios

What is Okta?

Okta is an enterprise identity and access management platform for workforce identity management. The platform focuses on managing employee, contractor, and partner access across enterprise applications and systems.

Okta was founded in 2009, and currently operates two main product lines: Okta Workforce Identity Cloud for employee access management and Auth0 (Customer Identity Cloud) for customer-facing applications.

Okta's key features

Okta main features include:

Workforce identity and access management

Okta provides access management through a platform that combines single sign-on (SSO), adaptive multi-factor authentication, lifecycle management, and centralized identity governance. It also includes AI-powered threat protection for real-time risk detection, and phishing-resistant authentication through FastPass.

Pre-built integrations

Okta includes over 7,000 pre-built integrations with enterprise applications. Popular integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft, Google Workspace, ServiceNow, Workday, and thousands of other business applications. 

Threat protection

Okta ThreatInsight provides threat detection by evaluating sign-in attempts for potentially suspicious activity before authentication occurs, using machine learning to analyze data from across all Okta organizations to identify malicious IP addresses and credential-based attacks.

Identity governance and compliance

Okta provides centralized access management and compliance capabilities through 600+ native integrations that discover users and permissions across the technology stack. The platform enforces least privilege access through automated access reviews and self-service requests.

Pros and cons of Okta

Benefits of Okta

• Automated lifecycle management for streamlined employee onboarding and offboarding
• Built-in features for regulatory compliance and audit requirements
• Advanced threat detection and adaptive authentication capabilities

Drawbacks of Okta

• Challenging setup that requires specialized expertise
• Enterprise pricing with minimum contract requirements
• Some features may need additional professional services support

Key differences between Auth0 and Okta

Target audience and use cases

Auth0 targets developers building customer-facing applications who need flexible authentication solutions. It excels at handling consumer identities, social logins, and custom authentication flows for applications and websites.

Okta targets IT administrators and enterprises managing workforce identities (employees, contractors, partners). It's built for internal identity management, enterprise SSO, and employee lifecycle management across organizational systems.

Customization and flexibility

Auth0 offers flexible customization through Actions, Forms, and Universal Login branding. Developers can implement custom authentication flows, modify login experiences, and integrate custom business logic throughout the authentication pipeline using JavaScript code execution.

Okta provides structured customization through workflows and pre-built integrations, focusing on enterprise-grade governance and policy management. While customizable, it emphasizes standardized approaches over deep technical flexibility.

User experience and interface

Auth0 prioritizes developer experience with extensive APIs, SDKs, comprehensive documentation, and developer-centric tools. The Management API enables programmatic control over all features, with interfaces designed for technical implementation.

Okta focuses on administrative user experience with intuitive dashboards for IT teams, visual workflow builders, and reporting interfaces. It emphasizes ease of management over technical depth.

Pricing models and licensing

Auth0 uses consumption-based pricing charged per monthly active user (MAU), with a generous free tier supporting up to 25,000 users. Costs scale with actual usage, making it suitable for applications with variable user volumes.

Okta employs per-user subscription pricing with annual contracts and $1,500 minimum commitments. Pricing is predictable but requires upfront commitment regardless of actual usage patterns.

Onboarding and ease of implementation

Auth0 requires technical expertise for implementation but offers extensive documentation, quickstarts, and developer resources. Setup complexity varies based on customization requirements, with simple implementations possible but advanced features requiring development skills.

Okta provides guided setup processes, professional services support, and admin-friendly interfaces designed for non-technical implementation. It emphasizes rapid deployment through pre-configured enterprise integrations and workflow templates.

Security and compliance

Auth0 focuses on application-level security including API protection, token management, and attack prevention. The platform includes anomaly detection, brute force protection, and integration with security services.

Okta emphasizes enterprise security and compliance requirements. The platform provides comprehensive audit logging, governance workflows, access reviews, and compliance reporting required for enterprise environments and regulatory standards.

When should you use Auth0 vs. Okta?

When to use Auth0

Auth0 excels in scenarios involving customized authentication experiences, or developer-driven integrations. It's ideal for development teams building apps with external users, technical teams comfortable with API-driven implementations, and applications requiring flexible customer authentication. Auth0's consumption-based pricing and generous free tier make it particularly suitable for startups and applications with variable or unpredictable user volumes.

When to use Okta

Okta is suitable for organizations that require centralized identity and access management across users. It works best for IT teams managing internal workforce access, enterprises requiring standardized governed identity processes, and organizations requiring comprehensive regulatory compliance and workforce security governance. Okta excels at managing employee access across multiple enterprise applications with SSO, automated provisioning, and comprehensive lifecycle management from hire to termination.

Rippling: A better alternative to Okta and Auth0

While Auth0 and Okta focus specifically on identity management, Rippling takes a different approach by combining HR and core IT tools, including identity and access management as well as device management into one integrated platform. Unlike Okta, which is a strong identity point solution, Rippling offers both identity and device tools in a single place, as well as the option for inventory management. 

Unlike traditional identity providers that handle authentication in isolation, Rippling connects employee data across all business systems to enable comprehensive workforce management.

Key capabilities include:

• Automated employee lifecycle management from onboarding to offboarding with integrated device and software provisioning
• Compliance automation with built-in audit trails and policy enforcement across all employee touchpoints
• Custom workflow automation that connects identity changes to business processes and approvals
• Custom zero-trust protocols leveraging hundreds of user attributes for granular security
• Built-in password management with secure sharing capabilities
• Integration support across LDAP, Active Directory, OIDC, and RADIUS protocols

Rippling's identity and access management software is built on top of a unified employee data platform that includes payroll, benefits, device management, and software provisioning. This integration allows for automated workflows that traditional identity providers cannot achieve when working with disconnected systems.

Okta vs Auth0 FAQs

Is Auth0 owned by Okta?

Yes, Okta acquired Auth0 in May 2021 for $6.5 billion. However, both platforms continue operating as separate products with distinct feature sets, pricing models, and target markets. Okta has positioned Auth0 as their Customer Identity Cloud while maintaining Okta as their Workforce Identity Cloud.

Which platform is better for startups vs enterprises?

Auth0 typically fits startups and growing companies due to its generous free tier (25,000 MAUs), developer-friendly approach, and consumption-based pricing that scales with usage. The platform allows organizations to start free and pay only as they grow.

Okta suits established enterprises needing comprehensive workforce identity management, extensive pre-built integrations, and enterprise-grade compliance features. However, Okta requires minimum annual contracts ($1,500) and per-user pricing that can be expensive for smaller organizations.

Who is Okta's biggest competitor?

Okta's biggest competitors depends on the use case. Rippling stands out as a strong alternative by combining HR, IT, and identity management into one unified platform with over 600 integrations, eliminating the need for separate systems. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is another enterprise competitor due to its deep Microsoft ecosystem integration.

What are good alternatives to Auth0?

Here are several strong Auth0 alternatives which exists: 

• Rippling integrates HR and IT systems, eliminating manual identity management tasks.
• Microsoft Entra ID offers deep Microsoft ecosystem integration.
• Keycloak provides an open-source alternative for organizations preferring self-hosted solutions.
• Firebase works well for teams already using Google Cloud Platform services.
• FusionAuth offers flexible deployment with similar Auth0 capabilities.

Can Auth0 and Okta integrate with cloud applications?

Both platforms offer extensive integration capabilities. Auth0 provides a marketplace of integrations and comprehensive APIs for custom development. On the other hand, Okta offers over 7,000 pre-built integrations with popular enterprise applications.

This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of June 12, 2025.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.