Cloud IAM Platforms -- Okta Alternatives
Cloud IAM platforms provide managed, SaaS-delivered identity and access management as direct alternatives to Okta. These platforms handle SSO, MFA, directory services, and lifecycle management without requiring on-premises infrastructure. They compete with Okta by offering lower pricing, ecosystem-specific advantages, or specialized capabilities like device-centric zero trust access. Cloud IAM is ideal for organizations that want a fully managed identity platform with minimal operational overhead.
Free tier included with M365 / P1 from $6/user/month / P2 from $9/user/month
The strongest cloud IAM alternative for Microsoft-centric organizations. Identity capabilities included in existing Microsoft 365 licensing make it the most cost-effective option for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, with industry-leading conditional access policies.
From $4/user/month (Starter) / Advanced from $8/user/month
A cost-effective cloud IAM platform that delivers core SSO and MFA capabilities at a lower price point than Okta. Best for mid-market organizations with straightforward identity requirements that do not need Okta's full governance and CIAM capabilities.
Free (up to 10 users) / Essentials $3/user/month / Advantage $6/user/month / Premier $9/user/month
The easiest MFA platform to deploy, with exceptional user experience through Duo Push and strong VPN integration. Best for organizations whose primary cloud IAM need is MFA and zero trust access rather than a comprehensive identity platform.
Microsoft's cloud identity platform with deep M365 and Azure integration
Free tier included with M365 / P1 from $6/user/month / P2 from $9/user/month
Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure that want unified identity management across their Microsoft ecosystem
Cloud IAM platform with SmartFactor Authentication and cost-effective pricing
From $4/user/month (Starter) / Advanced from $8/user/month
Mid-market organizations looking for a full-featured cloud IAM platform at a lower price point than Okta with straightforward deployment
Cisco's MFA and zero trust access platform known for ease of deployment
Free (up to 10 users) / Essentials $3/user/month / Advantage $6/user/month / Premier $9/user/month
Organizations prioritizing easy-to-deploy MFA across VPNs, cloud apps, and legacy systems, especially those in Cisco networking environments
Compare all 3 Okta alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID 4.5/5 | OneLogin 4.1/5 | Duo Security 4.4/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per-user monthly subscription (tiered) | Per-user monthly subscription | Per-user monthly subscription with free tier |
| Open Source | -- | -- | -- |
| Cloud-Hosted | + | + | + |
| Self-Hosted | -- | -- | -- |
| Best For | Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure that want unified identity management across their Microsoft ecosystem | Mid-market organizations looking for a full-featured cloud IAM platform at a lower price point than Okta with straightforward deployment | Organizations prioritizing easy-to-deploy MFA across VPNs, cloud apps, and legacy systems, especially those in Cisco networking environments |
| Key Features |
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| Website | Visit | Visit | Visit |
Microsoft Entra ID Free is included with any Microsoft 365 subscription, providing basic SSO and MFA. However, the advanced features that compete with Okta — conditional access, Identity Protection, Privileged Identity Management, and access reviews — require Entra ID P1 ($6/user/month) or P2 ($9/user/month) licensing. For organizations already paying for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, Entra ID P1 or P2 is included, making it effectively free. Calculate your true cost based on your existing Microsoft licensing.
Duo Security is primarily an MFA and access platform, not a full IAM replacement. It provides excellent MFA and basic SSO but lacks Okta's comprehensive directory services, identity lifecycle management, automated provisioning, and identity governance. Duo can replace Okta if your only requirement is MFA. If you need full workforce identity management, Duo is better used alongside a directory and SSO platform.
Okta starts at $2/user/month for SSO but quickly increases with add-ons for MFA, lifecycle management, and governance. Microsoft Entra ID is included in M365 licenses, with P1 at $6 and P2 at $9 per user/month for advanced features. OneLogin starts at $4/user/month with a simpler pricing structure. Duo Security offers a free tier for 10 users, with paid plans from $3 to $9 per user/month. The true cost comparison depends on which features you need — Okta's total cost often exceeds competitors when all required add-ons are included.
Duo Security offers the best end-user MFA experience with its seamless push notifications. Okta provides the most polished SSO portal and end-user dashboard. Microsoft Entra ID provides the most seamless experience within Microsoft applications but can feel fragmented for non-Microsoft apps. OneLogin's end-user portal is clean and functional but less refined than Okta. For admin experience, Okta's console is the most intuitive, while Entra ID settings are spread across multiple Azure portals.
Microsoft's cloud identity platform with deep M365 and Azure integration
ComparisonCloud IAM platform with SmartFactor Authentication and cost-effective pricing
ComparisonCisco's MFA and zero trust access platform known for ease of deployment
CategoryCompare the best open source IAM alternatives to Okta in 2026. Keycloak, JumpCloud — features, deployment, customization, and total cost of ownership compared.
CategoryCompare the best enterprise IAM alternatives to Okta in 2026. Ping Identity, ForgeRock, Microsoft Entra ID — enterprise identity features, scale, and deployment flexibility compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Okta alternatives for workforce SSO in 2026. Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity, OneLogin, JumpCloud, Keycloak — SSO features, integration breadth, and pricing compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Okta alternatives for customer identity (CIAM) in 2026. Auth0, ForgeRock, Ping Identity, Keycloak — CIAM features, developer experience, scale, and pricing compared.