Authentication · Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Choose Auth0 if you need a versatile, general-purpose identity platform for any application type. Choose WorkOS if you are a B2B SaaS company specifically focused on selling to enterprise customers and need deep, pre-built integrations with their IT systems.
Auth0 is a comprehensive, flexible identity-as-a-service platform designed to handle authentication and authorization for a wide range of applications, from consumer apps to internal tools. WorkOS is a specialized platform focused on providing the specific enterprise features (like SSO, Directory Sync, and complex user provisioning) that B2B SaaS companies need to meet procurement requirements. The pricing reflects this focus, with Auth0 offering a lower entry point for general use and WorkOS positioned for the higher-value enterprise sales motion.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Auth0 | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at $23/month | Starts at $99/month |
| Ease of Use | Excellent developer experience with drop-in widgets and SDKs. | Streamlined for specific enterprise flows; less general but focused. |
| Scalability | Highly scalable for massive user counts across all segments. | Scalable, with architecture optimized for B2B tenant isolation. |
| Integrations | Broad: social, enterprise, passwordless, and legacy protocols. | Deep, pre-built integrations with major enterprise Identity Providers (IdPs). |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Best For | General-purpose apps needing robust, customizable auth. | B2B SaaS apps requiring enterprise-ready SSO and provisioning. |
Choose Auth0 if...
Auth0 is the better choice for development teams building applications for a broad user base (B2C, B2B2C, or internal) who need a full-featured, customizable auth system with support for social logins, passwordless, and fine-grained authorization. Its lower starting price and flexible drop-in solution make it ideal for projects where the primary goal is to implement secure, scalable authentication without being exclusively tied to the enterprise sales cycle.
Choose WorkOS if...
WorkOS is the superior choice when your core business is selling software to other businesses and you need to seamlessly integrate with their enterprise identity systems like Okta, Azure AD, or OneLogin. It is purpose-built to streamline the implementation of complex enterprise requirements like SAML/SCIM, reducing the time-to-close for large deals and ensuring compliance with enterprise IT policies from day one.
Product Details
Auth0
A flexible, drop-in solution to add authentication and authorization services to your applications.
Pricing
$23/mo
Best For
Development teams and enterprises needing a robust, customizable identity platform that balances ease of integration with powerful security and scalability.
Key Features
Pros
- + Excellent developer experience with clear documentation and SDKs
- + Highly flexible and customizable authentication flows
- + Strong security features and compliance certifications
Cons
- - Can become expensive at scale, especially for high monthly active users (MAUs)
- - Some advanced features and settings have a steep learning curve
- - Post-Okta acquisition, some users express concerns about future product direction
WorkOS
Provides enterprise-ready infrastructure like Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and directory sync for B2B SaaS applications.
Pricing
$99/mo
Best For
B2B SaaS companies that need to sell to enterprise customers and require secure, compliant authentication and user provisioning integrations.
Key Features
Pros
- + Drastically reduces development time for enterprise integrations
- + Clean, well-documented API and developer experience
- + Handles the complexity of multiple identity provider protocols
Cons
- - Pricing can become significant at high user volumes
- - Primarily focused on B2B use cases, less ideal for B2C
- - Some advanced features require higher-tier plans