Overview

Okta provides cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) services, catering to both workforce and customer identity needs. The platform is designed to secure and manage user access to applications, data, and infrastructure across various environments. Okta's offerings reduce the operational complexity of identity management by centralizing user directories, authentication protocols, and authorization policies. This consolidation supports compliance requirements and enhances the overall security posture for organizations.

For workforce identity, Okta's solutions facilitate secure employee access to internal applications and cloud services. This includes capabilities such as single sign-on (SSO), which allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple connected systems without re-entering credentials. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, such as a password and a one-time code from a mobile device. Lifecycle management automates the provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts, streamlining onboarding and offboarding processes while maintaining access control.

Okta's Customer Identity Cloud, powered by Auth0, focuses on embedding secure authentication and authorization into customer-facing applications. This product line assists developers in implementing features like universal login, social login, and passwordless authentication. By offloading the complexities of identity management to a specialized service, development teams can focus on core application features while ensuring a secure and scalable authentication experience for their users. The platform supports various authentication standards, including OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, which are critical for modern application security and interoperability, as detailed in the MDN Web Docs on HTTP authentication.

Okta's services are suited for enterprises managing a large number of users and applications, as well as for organizations with strict compliance requirements. Its architecture supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, enabling consistent identity policies regardless of where applications and data reside. The platform's extensibility through APIs and SDKs allows for integration with a wide range of existing systems and custom applications, positioning it as a foundational component for enterprise security strategies.

Key features

  • Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables users to access multiple applications and services with a single set of credentials, improving user experience and reducing password fatigue.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds layers of security beyond passwords, requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access.
  • User Lifecycle Management: Automates the provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts across various applications, streamlining onboarding and offboarding processes.
  • Universal Directory: Centralizes user identities from multiple sources into a single, authoritative directory, simplifying user management and access control.
  • API Access Management: Secures APIs by enforcing authentication, authorization, and rate limiting policies, protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access.
  • Adaptive MFA: Dynamically adjusts authentication requirements based on context, such as user location, device, or behavior, to enhance security without hindering usability.
  • Passwordless Authentication: Offers alternative authentication methods like biometrics or magic links, reducing reliance on traditional passwords.
  • Developer Tools and SDKs: Provides comprehensive documentation, SDKs, and APIs to integrate identity services into custom applications across various programming languages.
  • Compliance and Reporting: Offers features to meet regulatory compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II, along with audit trails and reporting capabilities.

Pricing

Okta offers tiered pricing models tailored to its two main product lines: Workforce Identity Cloud and Customer Identity Cloud. Pricing for Workforce Identity Cloud is typically per-user per month, while Customer Identity Cloud (Auth0) uses a monthly active user (MAU) model.

As of May 2026, the following pricing tiers are available:

Product Line Tier Starting Price Details
Workforce Identity Cloud Starter (formerly SSO) $2/user/month Core SSO capabilities.
Workforce Identity Cloud Workforce Enterprise Custom pricing Advanced features for larger organizations.
Customer Identity Cloud (Auth0) Developer Pro $23/month Includes up to 1,000 MAUs; additional MAUs incur extra charges.
Customer Identity Cloud (Auth0) Enterprise Custom pricing Scalable identity for high-volume customer applications.

A detailed breakdown of features per tier is available on Okta's official pricing page. Okta also offers a developer edition for Auth0, which provides a free tier for testing and development purposes.

Common integrations

  • Cloud Providers: Integration with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for identity federation and access control. Okta's AWS SSO documentation provides setup instructions.
  • Productivity Suites: Connects with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack for streamlined access to enterprise applications.
  • CRM Systems: Integrates with Salesforce and HubSpot to manage user access and synchronize identity data.
  • HR Systems: Syncs with Workday, SuccessFactors, and BambooHR for automated user provisioning and de-provisioning based on HR data.
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Feeds identity events into Splunk, Sumo Logic, and Datadog for centralized security monitoring and auditing.
  • DevOps Tools: Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Jenkins for secure access to development pipelines and repositories.
  • API Gateways: Works with Apigee and Kong to secure API endpoints with Okta's authorization services.
  • VPN Solutions: Provides authentication for VPNs from vendors like Cisco AnyConnect and Palo Alto GlobalProtect.

Alternatives

  • Microsoft Entra ID: Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service, often chosen by organizations with existing Microsoft ecosystem investments.
  • Ping Identity: Offers a suite of identity solutions, including SSO, MFA, and API security, with a focus on enterprise and hybrid IT environments.
  • ForgeRock: Provides comprehensive digital identity platforms for workforce, customer, and IoT use cases, with both cloud and on-premises deployment options.
  • Auth0 (now part of Okta): While now a core Okta product, historically served as a standalone developer-centric identity platform, emphasizing ease of integration for customer identity.
  • Keycloak: An open-source identity and access management solution for modern applications and services, offering SSO, MFA, and user federation.

Getting started

To integrate Okta's Customer Identity Cloud (Auth0) into a Node.js application, you can use the express-openid-connect library. This example demonstrates a basic Express.js application configured for authentication using Okta/Auth0. First, install the necessary packages:

npm install express express-openid-connect dotenv

Next, create a .env file in your project root with your Okta/Auth0 application details:

# .env
AUTH0_SECRET='YOUR_LONG_RANDOM_STRING_SECRET'
AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL='https://YOUR_OKTA_DOMAIN'
AUTH0_CLIENT_ID='YOUR_CLIENT_ID'
AUTH0_BASE_URL='http://localhost:3000'

Replace YOUR_OKTA_DOMAIN, YOUR_CLIENT_ID, and YOUR_LONG_RANDOM_STRING_SECRET with your actual Okta/Auth0 application credentials. Your AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL will typically look like dev-xxxxxxxx.okta.com or YOUR_TENANT.auth0.com. Ensure http://localhost:3000/callback is listed as an allowed callback URL in your Okta/Auth0 application settings.

Finally, create an app.js file:

// app.js
require('dotenv').config();
const express = require('express');
const { auth } = require('express-openid-connect');

const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

const config = {
  authRequired: false,
  auth0Logout: true,
  secret: process.env.AUTH0_SECRET,
  baseURL: process.env.AUTH0_BASE_URL,
  clientID: process.env.AUTH0_CLIENT_ID,
  issuerBaseURL: process.env.AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL,
};

// auth router attaches /login, /logout, and /callback routes to the baseURL
app.use(auth(config));

// req.isAuthenticated is now available
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send(
    req.oidc.isAuthenticated() ? 'Logged in <a href="/profile">View Profile</a>' : 'Logged out <a href="/login">Log In</a>'
  );
});

app.get('/profile', (req, res) => {
  if (req.oidc.isAuthenticated()) {
    res.send(`<h2>User Profile</h2><pre>${JSON.stringify(req.oidc.user, null, 2)}</pre><a href="/logout">Log Out</a>`);
  } else {
    res.redirect('/');
  }
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Application listening on port ${port}`);
  console.log(`Visit: ${config.baseURL}`);
});

Run the application:

node app.js

Navigate to http://localhost:3000 in your browser. You will see options to log in or out. Upon logging in, you will be redirected to your Okta/Auth0 login page, and after successful authentication, back to your application, where your user profile information will be displayed.