Auth0 vs. Okta IAM software comparison

Auth0 and Okta are software solutions for identity and access management, but which one to choose? Immerse yourself in the specifics of this guide to compare the features of IAM tools.

Due to the fact that remote work is becoming the norm and new devices connecting to corporate networks every day, more and more companies are looking for solutions for identity and access management. Auth0 and Okta are two of the most popular IAM tools.

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Should you choose Auth0 or Okta for your business? It is important to compare the features of each IAM platform before making a decision. Note that Auth0 and Okta joined forces in May 2021, when Okta acquired the Auth0 platform; however, the Auth0 and Okta platforms remain separate, often used in conjunction with each other.

What is Auth0?

Auth0 is a cloud-based authentication and authorization platform. According to Okta, Auth0 is “built by developers, for developers”. While Auth0 includes the main features of IAM, including multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, it is also fully extensible, allowing developers to solve any identity issue through a collection of integrations and application code.

What is Okta?

Octa is known as one of the leading cloud based IAM solutions on the market today. Serving all companies in all industries, Okta offers two specific solutions, including workforce identity for employees and customer identity. The platform is also universal, offering more than 7,000 integrations. In addition, Okta can be customized to meet the needs of each individual business.

Auth0 vs. Okta: Comparison of functions

Auth0 and Okta offer similar functionality. For example, both tools provide easy user management, multi-factor authentication, and robust security features. However, the key difference may lie in how Auth0 and Okta approach identity.

Auth0 is designed by developers for developers who understand the importance of flexible, adaptable and scalable IAM solutions. Using Auth0, developers can connect any application, regardless of language or stack. In addition, developers can also choose the integrations they want to use.

In slight contrast, Okta uses simple modular components known as Platform Services that users can mix and match to develop new features. In addition, the platform offers over 7,000 pre-built integrations for fast business start-ups. This is a faster way for users to deal with identity needs.

Comparison of functions at a glance

Multifactor authentication

Auth0 offers multi-factor authentication in many forms, including push notifications, SMS notifications, voice notifications, one-time passwords, and more. In addition, the MFA of Auth0 can be customized to meet the needs of the organization.

For example, Auth0 provides higher authentication, which allows businesses to restrict access to applications that are more sensitive by nature. The platform also offers an adaptive MFA, ensuring that the MFA is presented only within an input that poses a security risk.

Okta offers the same MFA methods as Auth0. The platform also provides an adaptive MFA that allows users to create access policies based on risk factors. For example, businesses can only activate authentication with a low-risk login password and a password plus a targeted medium-risk login notification.

Single entrance

Both Auth0 and Okta offer a single input (SSO) built into each platform. Auth0 allows configuration with any corporate connection via Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS, SAML and more. Developers can build any integration needed to implement SSO in their enterprise.

Okta offers a network of 7,000+ pre-built integrations to choose from so companies can quickly activate SSO. The platform also offers 1400+ SAML and OpenID Connect integrations, as well as LDAP support.

Possibilities without password

Passwordless authentication is the future, and many companies are working to do so in the hope of increasing security and improving the user experience. Auth0 and Okta have features that allow password-free authentication.

For example, Auth0 allows password-free authentication using WebAuthn, a browser-based API that completes authentication through registered devices. Okta allows password-free authentication through a variety of methods, including a magical connection based on email, sequence of factors, WebAuthn, and more.

SEE: Why World Password Day Should Be World Password Free Day (TechRepublic)

Security

A distinctive feature of any identity and access management software is stable security. Both Auth0 and Okta include in-depth security measures to help businesses protect their data. Auth0 includes protections such as incident response, security monitoring and data encryption while at rest and during transport.

Okta also provides end-to-end encryption as well as ThreatInsight monitoring. This is a tool provided by Okta Insights that analyzes network attack data to identify and block potentially malicious login attempts.

Choice between Auth0 and Okta

Auth0 and Okta are perfect solutions for activating IAM in any business. However, for application development companies or smaller businesses with more complex IAM infrastructure needs, Auth0 extensibility and a developer-targeted platform may be the better option.

Okta’s existing library of integrations and pre-built components makes the platform a great choice for larger businesses that need to quickly implement their IAM strategy.