Auth0 and Okta are identity and access management software solutions, but which should you choose? Dive into the specifics with this guide that compares the features of these IAM tools.
As remote work becomes the norm and new devices connect to corporate networks every day, many businesses are looking for identity and access management solutions. Auth0 and Okta are two of the most popular IAM tools.
SEE: Mobile device privacy policy (TechRepublic Premium)
Should you choose Auth0 or Okta for your business? It is important to compare the features of each IAM platform before you decide. Note that Auth0 and Okta joined forces in May 2021 when Okta Auth0 platform acquisition; however, the Auth0 and Okta platforms continue to be 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 covers key features of IAM, including multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, it’s also fully extensible, allowing developers to solve any identity problem through a single collection of app and code integration.
What is Okta?
Okta known as one of the leading cloud-based IAM solutions on the market today. Serving all businesses in all industries, Okta offers two specific solutions, including workforce identification for employees and customer identification. The platform is also popular, offering over 7,000 integrations. Plus, Okta can be customized to fit the needs of each business.
Auth0 vs Okta: Feature Comparison
Auth0 and Okta provide similar functionality. For example, both tools offer simple user management, multi-factor authentication, and strong security features. However, the main difference probably lies in the way Auth0 and Okta approach identity.
Auth0 was designed by developers for developers who understand the importance of flexible, customizable, and extensible IAM solutions. Using Auth0, developers can connect any application regardless of language or stack. In addition, developers can also choose which integrations they want to use.
In contrast, Okta uses simple modular components called Platform Services that users can mix and match to develop new features. Plus, the platform offers over 7,000 pre-built integrations to get businesses up and running quickly. It is a faster way for users to solve identification needs.
Compare features at a glance
| Feature | Auth0 | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| The only sign on | ✅ | ✅ |
| user management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ability without a password | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-Factor Authentication | ✅ | ✅ |
| Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Powerful security features | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customization | ✅ | ✅ |
Multi-Factor Authentication
Auth0 offers multi-factor authentication in many forms, including push notifications, SMS notifications, voice notifications, one-time passwords, and more. In addition, Auth0’s MFA can be customized to fit an organization’s needs.
For example, Auth0 offers step-by-step authentication, allowing businesses to restrict access to applications of a more sensitive nature. The platform also offers adaptive MFA, which ensures that the MFA is only displayed during a single login which poses a security risk.
Okta provides the same MFA methods as Auth0. The platform also offers adaptive MFA, allowing users to create access policies based on risk factors. For example, businesses can enable password-only authentication for low-risk logins and passwords along with push notifications for medium-risk logins.
The only sign on
Both Auth0 and Okta offer single sign-on (SSO) built into each platform. Auth0 allows configuration with any enterprise connection via Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS, SAML and more. Developers can build any integration needed to deploy SSO across their entire enterprise.
Okta offers a network of over 7,000 pre-made integrations to choose from so businesses can enable SSO quickly. The platform also offers over 1,400 SAML and OpenID Connect integrations as well as LDAP support.
Ability without a password
Passwordless authentication is the future and many companies are working towards it in hopes of increasing security and improving user experience. Auth0 and Okta have features that allow passwordless authentication.
For example, Auth0 enables passwordless authentication using WebAuthn, a browser-based API that completes authentication through registered devices. Okta enables passwordless authentication through various methods, including email-based magic binding, factor sequencing, WebAuthn, and more.
SEE: Why World Password Day Should Be World Day Without Passwords (TechRepublic)
Guard
A hallmark of any identity and access management software is strong 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 at rest and in transit.
Okta also offers end-to-end encryption as well as monitoring through ThreatInsight. This is a tool offered through Okta Insights that analyzes network-wide attack data to identify and block potential malicious login attempts.
Choosing between Auth0 and Okta
Auth0 and Okta are the perfect solutions to enable IAM in any business. However, for app development companies or smaller businesses with more complex IAM infrastructure needs, Auth0’s scalability and developer-focused platform could be the choice. better.
Okta’s existing library of built-in and built-in components make the platform a great choice for larger businesses that need to get their IAM strategy up and running quickly.
