Top 10 Best SSO Providers & Software Application Options 2024

This article will take you through the ins and outs of single sign on solutions (SSO). We will look at the best SSO providers and discuss the advantages of these services. If you are in the market for software applications that handle password management and authentication protocols, you have come to the right place.

In today's digital landscape, SSO solutions have revolutionized the way businesses and individuals authenticate themselves online. By simplifying the login process across various platforms, SSO enhances convenience while strengthening security, minimizing password fatigue and unauthorized access. 

So, let's explore the world of SSO and secure authentication!

Best SSO solutions comparison chart (top 10 highest rated SSO services and SSO software tools

This is a table that goes over the broad strokes of our leading SSO systems. You’ll see quick info about niche and pricing for each of these single sign on services.

Who are the best SSO providers? Here’s our top 10 list of SSO options:

Time to get into details of every top single sign on solution on our list. We cover the best SSO providers, including those with specialized functionality. We’ve made sure to put in a lot of research for these reviews since SSO as a service is quite a crowded field.

1. Okta (Best SSO provider overall)

Our number one SSO as a service is none other than Okta. Okta offers many products, like single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, universal directory, API access management, and identity governance, among other secure access apps. It is considered by many to be the best SSO provider on the market.

Pros:

Okta has great cloud-based apps to run both customer identity access control as well as workforce identity and access management. So you got flexibility. There is also an on-premise option.

As for security, there is good phishing-resistant authentication, device assurance, lifecycle management, and identity governance protocols.

You can use Okta to create great end-user experiences for login processes and password management on mobile apps and tablets.

Okta also has a robust API, allowing you to use it with over 7000 integrations like SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and ODIC or OpenID Connect. 

Cons:

As our number one SSO SaaS, it is hard to find a drawback to Okta. One thing to note is that most startups’ use cases rate Okta for its cloud services, and less is known about the on-premise option.

Pricing:

• Workforce Identity Single Sign-On starts at $2 per user per month

• Workforce Identity MFA starts at $3 per user per month 

• Customer Identity B2C Plans start at $23 per month

• Customer Identity B2B Plans start at $130 per month

• For enterprise plans, contact Okta

Visit Okta

2. OneLogin (Top single sign on provider for MFA)

Moving down to number two on our list of single sign on providers is OneLogin. This is a very popular secure identity provider and access management solution for both workforce and customer identity.

Pros:

The first thing to say about OneLogin’s SSO tools is that their functionality scores high points for ease of use and clean design.

The SSO portal is ideal for startups and SMEs. The IAM, or identity access management systems, are context-aware, making user access more intuitive.

There is a useful OneLogin desktop app that streamlines the real-time activities between the SSO portal and the cloud directory of login credentials. There is also support for cross-domain identity management, like SCIM 1.1 and 2.0.

Cons:

OneLogin does offer workflow options, for example, where you can enable provisioning or set user management privileges, but be prepared to spend some time mastering these SSO management tools. 

Pricing:

• Advanced SSO and MFA is $4 per user per month 

• Professional Identity Lifecycle Management is $8 per user per month 

Visit OneLogin

3. Ping Identity (Great SSO application for sensitive data)

The third winner for our ranking is the single sign-on application called Ping Identity. Ping is a cloud identity platform that covers both customer and workforce solutions and offers an identity management platform for governments.

Pros:

The user-friendly SSO system is great for instant access to legacy apps, SaaS applications, APIs, and mobile apps.

There is a nifty profile management tool that includes a password reset feature. You can also easily set up social logins and account linking.

You can use Ping to set up biometrics as a first factor when setting up two-factor or multi-factor authentication for a more secure way to protect user identities. 

Cons:

There are no clear price details listed, but Ping is not exactly known to be among the cheaper SSO apps, so if you want a cloud-based SSO to meet a meager budget, keep shopping. 

Pricing:

• Contact Ping Identity for pricing 

Visit Ping Identity

4. CyberArk (Good SSO software for access policies)

CyberArk is a leading name when it comes to single sign on software and identity security tools. It is very popular with a variety of industries, from gaming to medical services.

Pros:

CyberArk offers top-grade endpoint security protocols which leverage things like step-up authentication such as MFA and role-specific privileges.

It only takes a little time and effort to get your Identity Provider (IdP) solution up and running using CyberArek’s private access management (PAM) self-hosted protocol which supports SAML 2.0.

Other great SSO features include CyberArk self-service password reset which makes customization easier and cuts down on tasks for your IT departments.

Cons:

CyberArk is by no means a simple SaaS for managing all aspects of your authentication methods, which means that while it handles a lot of tasks, it also requires a learning curve.

Pricing:

• For pricing details, contact CyberArk

Visit CyberArk

5. Microsoft Azure AD (Best SSO vendor for password authentication)

Included with Microsoft 365 is Azure Active Directory and it takes our number five ranking for best single sign-on vendors. Many of you know Microsoft, so if you like that brand, you’ll dig this identity governance and password management app.

Pros:

Microsoft is able to promise its customers an extremely secure yet highly adaptive authentication and access management tool with Azure AD. 

It leverages a lightweight directory access protocol, or LDAP, which is ideal for web browser access to databases with secure identity information like CRMs.

The self service user authentication tools are very intuitive and make for a great customer experience at your endpoints.

Being Microsoft, Azure AD is a very scalable system which can easily grow with a startup on its way to becoming a big business.

Cons:

Some people have a personal distaste for all things Microsoft and for this reason you might not want to choose Azure AD to run your ID management and control all manner of access permissions. 

Pricing:

• There is a free version of Azure Active Directory with a subscription to other MS packages

• Azure Active Directory Premium P1 is $6 per user per month 

• Azure Active Directory Premium P2 is $9 per user per month 

Visit Microsoft Azure AD

6. JumpCloud (Great free SSO provider)

It’s hard to complain about a price tag of zero, so when it comes to free single sign-on solutions, JumpCloud is a great option.

Pros:

JumpCloud is similar to open source because of its open directory platform, which lets you use a single set of credentials to manage identities, devices, and access management points.

You get good cloud-based services for running things like LDAP, RADIUS protocols, and cloud directory tools. It’s also easy to set up rule-based access with both flexible and granular ‘if-then’ rules.

Multi-factor authentication with JumpCloud is near frictionless, utilizing one-touch actions or one-click access.

Cons:

While a free SSO tool is always welcome, as you’d expect, you will need the paid plan if you have a big enough team.

Pricing:

• JumpCloud is free for ten users on ten devices

• A La Carte pricing is $2 per user per month 

Visit JumpCloud

7. Auth0 (Top SSO tool for C.IAM secure access)

If you need top-level secure access for customer identity management or C.IAM, then Auth0 is a nice choice. Auth0 is made by Okta, which is our number one SSO platform overall on this list.

Pros:

Auth0, like many competitors, leverages open authorization, or OAuth. Contrary to assumptions, OAuth is not for authentication but for authorization, meaning it grants access to APIs and user data.

You can use Auth0 for unlimited social logins and custom domain names, and set up elaborate role permissions.

You also get your standard universal logins, single sign-ons, multi-factor authentications, and passwordless authentication.

Finally, Auth0 is a very sleekly designed SSO solution with swell user interfaces on all devices, and it’s very intuitive for the user experience. 

Cons:

Unlike many other SSO and C.IAM platforms, you cannot subscribe to Auth0 on a per-user basis, but instead you must pay a higher monthly fee for a set number of external monthly active users. This isn’t so bad, though, if you have a team of roughly ten people or more.

Pricing:

• B2C Essentials starts at $23 per month

• B2C Professional starts at $240 per month

• B2B Essentials starts at $130 per month

• B2B Professional starts at $800 per month

• For enterprise pricing, contact Auth0

Visit auth0

8. ForgeRock (Good SSO technology for IoT)

If you are into the Internet of things, aka IoT, and you are in the market for some better single sign-on technologies, then check out ForgeRock.

Pros:

ForgeRock is a solid choice for managing identities and access for your IoT devices. You can run everything on a single platform and set up IoT workflow journeys between end users and apps.

This is one very flexible platform, and it can be set up on-premise or in a private cloud for added security functionality. 

Other great ForgeRock tools include passwordless authentication, contextual authorization, lifecycle management, and robust API security.

Overall, for identity and access management purposes for both customer endpoints as well as workforces, ForgeRock has some very reliable and scalable technology.

Cons:

You cannot access specific cost data on ForgeRock online and this may mean it is in the pricier category of SSO and identity data security systems out there.

Pricing:

• Contact ForgeRock to get pricing information

Visit ForgeRock

9. LastPass (Good free SSO platform for password management)

At number nine, we have LastPass. This is a great SSO tool if you want something free of charge to manage your passwords and do passwordless login.

Pros:

LastPass is incredibly user-friendly. One might say this is more of a personal tool than a business tool.

The free plan for LastPass has tools for saving and auto-filling passwords, a password generator, passwordless login, one-to-one sharing, and even a dark web monitor.

You get a range of basic SSO and MFA features that are simple enough to use. There is also more advanced identity protection, password sharing and administrative permission controls.

Cons:

There are indeed plans for businesses and enterprises with LastPass, despite it being very popular for home and family use. It’s just not often considered as much a pro tool as some of the alternatives.

Pricing:

• There is a free LastPass plan for personal use

• Premium plan is $3 per user per month billed annually  

• Family plan is $4 for 6 users per month billed annually 

• Teams plan is $4 per user per month billed annually 

• Business plan is $6 per user per month billed annually 

Visit LastPass

10. Dashlane (Top SAAS SSO product for password encryption)

Dashlane is, first and foremost, a password management tool that offers compatibility with single sign-on products through a set of login credentials. 

Pros:

You can get unlimited passwords in the most affordable package, as well as secure sharing, audit logs, and a dark web insight tool.

Dashlane has really great one-click passwords and forms auto fillers. The password generator is also very useful. 

Some industries which trust Dashlane include financial services, medical businesses, and even dedicated IT departments. 

Cons:

As this is primarily a password management tool that works well with SSO products, some might be annoyed at having to employ cross-functionality to get the best of both worlds.

Pricing:

• Starter plan is $2 per user per month 

• Team plan is $5 per user per month billed annually 

• Business plan is $8 per user per month billed annually 

Visit Dashlane

What are SSO providers & what do they do?

Let’s get on with a definition of what is an SSO service provider. A single-sign on is an app that provides secure authentication for multiple sites, networks and apps. It allows the user to have one single password that can log on to many services, often with just one click, but sometimes using two-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication.

SSO is useful for mitigating risks, reducing password fatigue, saving time on admin, lowering IT expenses, creating a simpler administrative network, boosting user productivity, and employing network consolidation.

Single sign on examples

Here are some SSO examples.

Single password sign-on

Let’s say you have multiple login and password information for several SaaS. An SSO provider can let you remember and use only one to access many sites and apps instantly.

Self service functionality

Companies and brands can provide their users with SSO tools to manage their own passwords and login credentials.

Advanced authentication

For more secure access controls, SSO tools can leverage two-factor and multi-factor authentication protocols to provide extra layers of data security.

Passwordless login

A final example of SSO features is that it allows users to gain access to their services without even having to use a password since the authentication data is securely stored.

Password generators

Instead of having to choose new passwords each time or reuse the same one, an SSO system can auto-generate new passwords, which are very tough to crack.

Which of the best single sign on solutions is right for me? Our conclusion

Now that we’ve gone over many single sign-on applications, you might want to know which are the very top SSO providers from this list. Every software mentioned here has its pros and cons, so before you choose, get your priorities and budget in order. 

In conclusion, the world of Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions offers a range of options to enhance convenience and security in today's digital landscape. The top 10 SSO providers discussed in this article bring various strengths and features to the table. 

From the overall best SSO provider, Okta, with its extensive product offerings, to OneLogin's user-friendly interface and Ping Identity's emphasis on sensitive data protection, each provider caters to different needs. 

Whether you prioritize affordability, IoT compatibility, or password management, there is an SSO solution for you. Explore these options and choose the provider that aligns with your specific requirements for a seamless and secure authentication experience.