Compare WorkOS vs Auth0 (Okta): B2B SaaS authentication, SAML/OIDC enterprise SSO pricing, Directory Sync (SCIM), and MAU scaling costs.
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import { WorkOS } from '@workos-inc/node';
const workos = new WorkOS(process.env.WORKOS_API_KEY);
// Generate SAML/OIDC SSO authorization URL for enterprise tenant
const authorizationUrl = workos.sso.getAuthorizationUrl({
clientId: process.env.WORKOS_CLIENT_ID,
organization: 'org_enterprise_acme_corp',
redirectUri: 'https://app.yourdomain.com/auth/callback',
});
console.log('Redirect enterprise user to:', authorizationUrl);import { AuthenticationClient } from 'auth0';
const auth0 = new AuthenticationClient({
domain: process.env.AUTH0_DOMAIN,
clientId: process.env.AUTH0_CLIENT_ID,
clientSecret: process.env.AUTH0_CLIENT_SECRET,
});
// Enterprise connection authorization URL (requires Enterprise add-on)
const authorizeUrl = auth0.buildAuthorizeUrl({
connection: 'Acme-Corp-SAML',
redirect_uri: 'https://app.yourdomain.com/callback',
response_type: 'code',
});Building authentication for consumer B2C apps is straightforward, but selling software to Fortune 500 enterprises introduces stringent compliance requirements: Single Sign-On (SAML 2.0 / OIDC) and Directory Sync (SCIM) for automated employee provisioning and deprovisioning. Traditionally, engineering teams turned to Auth0 (acquired by Okta). While Auth0 provides extensive feature coverage, its pricing model is notoriously aggressive: enterprise SSO connections frequently require upgrading from self-serve tiers to expensive custom enterprise contracts starting at $15,000 to $40,000 annually.
WorkOS disrupts this paradigm by unbundling enterprise identity features into developer-friendly APIs. WorkOS offers its core authentication product (AuthKit) completely free for up to 1,000,000 Monthly Active Users (MAU), charging only when you sell enterprise features: a flat $125/month per active Enterprise SSO connection and $125/month for SCIM directory sync. Even better, WorkOS includes an 'Admin Portal'—a zero-code self-serve dashboard where IT admins at client companies configure their own Okta, Azure AD, or Google Workspace SAML certs without requiring your engineers' assistance.
| Platform Component | Workload | WorkOS | Auth0 (Okta) | Annualized Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Management (MAU) | 50,000 active users | $0.00 (Under 1M free) | ~$4,200 / yr ($350/mo) | $4,200.00 / yr |
| Enterprise SSO Connections | 10 corporate clients ($125/mo) | $15,000 / yr | ~$18,000 / yr (Enterprise tier) | $3,000.00 / yr |
| SCIM Directory Sync | 5 corporate clients ($125/mo) | $7,500 / yr | Bundled in Custom Contract | Transparency advantage |
| Total Estimated Annual Spend | 50k MAU + 10 SSO Clients | $22,500 / yr | $35,000+ / yr (Custom SLA) | $12,500+ / yr Savings |