OneLogin vs. Okta: Access management comparison 2025

Published

Mar 6, 2025

When it comes to managing user access and authentication, OneLogin and Okta are two well-known solutions. But which one better serves your organization's needs, and are there other options worth considering? 

This piece dives into a detailed comparison of OneLogin and Okta, examining their key features, security capabilities, integrations, analytics, customer support, and more. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of each platform to help inform your decision.

OneLogin vs. Okta: Feature overview

Let's start with a high-level comparison of some of the core features offered by OneLogin and Okta:

Service

OneLogin

Okta

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Supports multiple MFA factors including OneLogin Protect OTP app, biometrics, hardware tokens, SMS, email & more. Offers adaptive authentication through SmartFactor authentication, an AI-driven context-aware system that analyzes risk signals (location, device, behavior) to determine when additional verification is needed. 

Adaptive MFA that evaluates risk based on context like device, location & user behavior. Supports factors like Okta Verify OTP app, WebAuthn, U2F security keys, biometrics.

Single sign-on (SSO)

Provides SSO for cloud and on-prem apps. Calculates user risk scores using AI and adapts authentication requirements.

Offers SSO for cloud, on-prem, and mobile apps. Okta SSO uses ThreatInsight security intelligence to assess risk of login attempts.

Identity lifecycle management

Automates user provisioning and deprovisioning based on role, department, location and other user attributes synced from directories like AD and LDAP.

Provides automated provisioning and deprovisioning workflows. Integrates with HR systems for joiner/mover/leaver processes.

API access management

Offers API authentication and administration. 

API access management product to authenticate and authorize API access based on fine-grained permissions and scopes.

Directories

OneLogin cloud directory for storing and managing user identities. Also integrates with Active Directory, LDAP, G-Suite, Workday and more.

Okta universal directory serves as a flexible cloud user store. Integrates with AD, LDAP, HR systems and apps via Okta's integration network.

Access policies

Create policies based on user attributes, authentication strength, location, and risk score. Policies support access denial.

Okta policies combine multiple contextual factors to allow, deny, or require MFA for access. Includes geofencing capabilities.

OneLogin vs. Okta: Security features

Here's how OneLogin and Okta stack up in terms of their unique security features and capabilities:

OneLogin

  • SmartFactor authentication: OneLogin's AI-powered adaptive authentication analyzes a range of inputs like location, device, and user behavior to calculate a risk score. Based on the risk level, it intelligently adjusts the number of authentication factors required.
  • OneLogin protect: An enterprise-grade multi-factor authentication mobile app that provides a secure MFA experience compared to easily phishable factors like SMS and email. It supports push notifications, one-time passwords (OTPs), and biometric verification options including face and fingerprint authentication.
  • OneLogin sandbox: This feature allows admins to safely test new product capabilities and configurations in an isolated environment before deploying them to production, reducing the risk of impacting end users.
  • Compromised credential check: When users create or change passwords, OneLogin checks the new password against a database of credentials compromised in data breaches (including partnerships with services like Have I Been Pwned) to prevent the use of vulnerable passwords.

Okta

  • Okta ThreatInsight: A security intelligence layer that aggregates anonymized threat data on threat actors and login attempts across Okta's entire customer base. It proactively identifies and blocks high-risk IPs that have engaged in credential stuffing or other attacks.
  • Adaptive SSO: Okta's risk-based system evaluates behavioral and contextual factors to assess the risk level of each login attempt. This powers both SSO and MFA decisions, with access policies that can require step-up authentication for sessions that exceed a risk threshold.
  • Okta Verify: Like OneLogin Protect, this mobile authenticator app supports secure, modern push notifications as a second factor, along with biometric verification and offline OTP.
  • Device trust: Okta can apply device-based policies assessing security posture before granting access. It integrates with endpoint management and security tools for real-time device context.

Okta vs. OneLogin: Integrations

Both OneLogin and Okta offer extensive integration options, allowing you to connect the rest of your IT ecosystem to your access management solution:

OneLogin

With over 6,000 pre-built integrations in their app catalog, OneLogin makes it possible to set up SSO and provisioning for popular enterprise apps like Workday, Slack, Salesforce, Asana, Dropbox, G-Suite, etc. Admins can also build custom integrations for in-house or niche applications using SAML, SCIM, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and OneLogin's API.

Okta

Okta, on the other hand has an extensive network of over 7,000 pre-integrated applications, including Salesforce, Zoom, HubSpot, Microsoft Office 365, Zendesk, GutHub, Splunk, etc. The Okta integration network enables no-code SSO and provisioning setup for cloud and on-prem apps. For custom integrations, Okta provides secure web authentication (SWA), SAML, OAuth 2.0, OIDC, and SCIM templates, as well as an SDK for embedding Okta authentication into apps.

OneLogin vs. Okta: Analytics and monitoring

Here's a look at the analytics capabilities of OneLogin and Okta:

OneLogin

  • Centralized audit trail recording all user management and login activity
  • Standard reports for instant insights into inactive users, app utilization, and login activity
  • Custom reporting with four different report types for users, apps, logins, and events
  • Built-in reporting engine for drilling down into specific data points

Okta

  • Pre-defined dashboard reports for active users, groups, and SSO apps
  • ThreatInsight feature for detecting and blocking malicious IP addresses
  • Integration with external monitoring tools (Splunk, Sumo Logic, Datadog)
  • API access for custom monitoring tools and system log queries

Okta vs. OneLogin: Customer support

Here's a look at the support options from OneLogin and Okta:

OneLogin

  • Technical support for severity level 1 issues 
  • Web support portal with knowledge base, discussion forums, and ability to open tickets
  • Customer success manager and premium support available at higher tiers
  • Support primarily follows a ticket-based escalation model

Okta

  • Okta support center portal with documentation, training, forums, and ticketing system
  • Phone and chat support
  • Okta certification program to train and assess proficiency of administrators
  • 24/7 dedicated enterprise support available

OneLogin vs. Okta: Pros and cons

To help summarize the key advantages and disadvantages of OneLogin and Okta, here's a quick overview of the main pros and cons for each solution:

OneLogin

Pros

  • OneLogin Sandbox enables safe testing of new features and configurations
  • SmartFactor Authentication uses AI to make intelligent risk-based MFA decisions
  • Strong emphasis on authentication security with features like OneLogin Protect and compromised credential check
  • Desktop SSO supports device trust for Macs and PCs

Cons

  • Smaller integration ecosystem, targeted toward mid-market and smaller enterprises compared to Okta's enterprise-scale deployment
  • Users report intermittent reliability issues during peak usage periods 
  • Limited customization options outside of premium tiers

Okta

Pros

  • Comprehensive identity and access management feature set including SSO, MFA, provisioning, and access governance
  • Large integration network and pre-built integrations speed up deployment
  • Behavioral and contextual risk evaluation for adaptive SSO
  • Admin access can be delegated granularly based on role

Cons

  • Primary focus on large-scale enterprises, which may not suit smaller businesses
  • Complex workflow automation can be challenging for non-technical users to configure 
  • Users note push notification issues in the Okta Verify app, affecting login approvals

Okta vs. OneLogin: Use cases

OneLogin use cases

OneLogin works for:

  • Organizations looking for an access management provider with security analytics and AI-powered risk evaluation
  • Companies that want to strengthen authentication security with modern factors like OneLogin Protect and biometrics
  • Businesses with user provisioning requirements across multiple directories and apps

Okta use cases

Okta works for:

  • Enterprises needing an integrated access management and identity governance solution
  • Businesses with hybrid IT environments that need to put access controls around on-prem and cloud resources
  • Global firms who need an IAM solution that operates in multiple regions
  • Organizations managing multi-cloud environments and deploying containerized workloads (e.g., Kubernetes) that need secure service-to-service authentication

Rippling: Improved access management security for your business

While OneLogin and Okta are both strong choices, Rippling offers a compelling alternative that is especially well-suited for organizations at any size or stage. Rippling's identity and access management solution is part of a comprehensive workforce platform that unifies HR and IT.

With Rippling, core employee data like role, department, and location is centralized  in the HR system and automatically synced to configure app access permissions. This allows you to implement granular, role-based access control and automate onboarding, offboarding, and change workflows.

Rippling's access management capabilities include:

  • Enterprise-grade SSO with a library of pre-built app integrations
  • Flexible multi-factor authentication options
  • Automated user provisioning and deprovisioning
  • Mobile app management for BYOD security
  • Adaptive security policies powered by device and browser posture assessment
  • Centralized visibility to monitor authentication attempts and access privileges
  • Integration with productivity suites like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
  • User behavior analytics to detect and respond to anomalous access patterns
  • Access reporting that provides detailed visibility into who has access to what resources and when they were accessed

Rippling also provides RPass, its built-in team password manager that provides employees with centralized, secure, one-click access to all their apps directly from the Rippling dashboard. By unifying identity and device management with HR data, Rippling helps improve access security while reducing complexity and manual effort for IT teams.

OneLogin vs. Okta FAQs

What is the difference between Okta and OneLogin?

While Okta and OneLogin provide many similar capabilities for SSO, MFA, and user provisioning, there are a few key differences:

  • OneLogin differentiates with AI-based adaptive authentication while Okta positions itself as an integrated IAM suite.
  • Okta is more of a broader identity and access management suite, while OneLogin is focused on core access management.
  • Both offer extensive integration options, but Okta has a slight edge in the number of pre-built connectors.

Can OneLogin and Okta integrate with HR and payroll systems?

Yes, both OneLogin and Okta provide integrations with popular HR systems like Workday and Bamboo HR, allowing you to synchronize employee data to automate provisioning and deprovisioning. However, they may need to be configured separately from each other. Rippling is unique in that it natively unifies identity and access management with HR and payroll on one platform.

Which is easier to set up?

Both OneLogin and Okta have a relatively straightforward deployment process for basic SSO and MFA. However, Okta is generally seen as having a higher learning curve for advanced features and workflows. Rippling aims to be easier to adopt by providing an intuitive, unified interface across IAM, HR, and IT workloads.

How does Rippling compare to OneLogin and Okta?

Compared to standalone access management tools like OneLogin and Okta, Rippling offers a few key advantages:

  • Tight integration with HR data to automate access changes based on employment status
  • Unified platform connecting identity, devices, apps, and security settings
  • Comprehensive workforce management capabilities beyond just IAM
  • Combined SSO, EMM, and endpoint security for full device and app control

What are the main Okta and OneLogin alternatives in the market?

There are several Okta and OneLogin competitors which include Rippling, JumpCloud, Ping Identity amongst others. When choosing an alternative, organizations should consider factors like integration capabilities, security features, and specific business requirements.

This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of March 4, 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.

last edited: March 6, 2025

Author

The Rippling Team

Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.