TL;DR: Microsoft Entra ID and JumpCloud publish clear per-user list prices (including free tiers or low entry points). Okta publishes Starter and Essentials per-user rates then moves to higher suites. Larger enterprise and governance packages are often quote-led. Order follows published $0 / list prices first.
Identity and access management (IAM) software controls who can access which applications, devices, and resources, and under what conditions. In 2026 the category covers workforce SSO and MFA, lifecycle management, privileged access, customer identity, and zero-trust device policies.
Every entry uses the same fields: published pricing, free plan or trial, core focus, and the main limitation. The order below is not a quality ranking. Public $0 / published price first, quote-led last.
IAM software compared at a glance
| Provider | Published pricing | Primary strength | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Entra ID | Free with M365/Azure; P1 ~$6, P2 ~$9 per user/mo | Deep Microsoft 365 and Azure integration | Organizations already on Microsoft 365 or Azure | Visit β |
| JumpCloud | Γ-la-carte from ~$3/user; packages from ~$9/user annual | Unified identity + device (MDM) management | Mixed OS fleets needing directory, SSO, and device control | Visit β |
| Okta | Starter from $6/user/mo; Essentials from $17/user/mo | Broad app catalog and workforce identity suites | Companies needing mature SSO, MFA, and lifecycle across many SaaS apps | Visit β |
| Auth0 (Okta Customer Identity) | Free developer tier; paid usage and Enterprise base | Developer-friendly customer and B2B identity | Product teams building login, MFA, and authorization into apps | Visit β |
| OneLogin / Ping Identity | Primarily published entry or quote for enterprise suites | Enterprise IAM and federation | Larger organizations with complex federation or legacy needs | Visit β |
Microsoft Entra ID, JumpCloud, Okta, and Auth0 published models were reviewed on 27 September 2026. Confirm current per-user, MAU, and add-on pricing on the live vendor pages.
Per-user list prices are common at entry; advanced governance and customer identity often add usage or commit elements.
Workforce identity vs customer identity
Workforce IAM focuses on employees and contractors (SSO, MFA, device trust, lifecycle). Customer identity (CIAM) focuses on end-user login, registration, and authorization for products. Some vendors span both; others specialize. Choose based on whether your primary problem is internal access control or external user authentication at scale.
The 5 providers in detail
1. Microsoft Entra ID
Best for: Organizations already running Microsoft 365 or Azure that want identity, Conditional Access, and MFA tightly integrated with their existing licenses.
| Published pricing | Free tier bundled with M365/Azure; P1 and P2 list prices per user/month |
| Free plan / trial | Entra ID Free included with many Microsoft subscriptions |
| Core focus | SSO, MFA, Conditional Access, identity protection, governance add-ons |
| Main limitation | Deepest value and lowest friction inside the Microsoft ecosystem |
- Published P1/P2 list prices and clear bundling with Microsoft 365 E3/E5.
- Native Conditional Access and risk-based policies for Microsoft workloads.
- Governance, workload identities, and suite options available as add-ons.
View Microsoft Entra pricing β
2. JumpCloud
Best for: Mid-market and distributed teams that need a cloud directory plus device management (Windows, macOS, Linux) under one vendor.
| Published pricing | Γ-la-carte features from low per-user rates; Device Management and packages published |
| Free plan / trial | Free tier and trials available; paid packages self-serve or sales |
| Core focus | Cloud directory, SSO, MFA, MDM/device management, RADIUS, LDAP |
| Main limitation | Platform Prime and some advanced packages move to contact-sales |
- Published per-user pricing for core identity and device modules.
- Useful for mixed-OS environments that still need a central directory.
- Combines IAM and MDM in a way pure SSO vendors do not.
3. Okta
Best for: Organizations that need a mature workforce identity platform with a large application catalog, adaptive MFA, and lifecycle automation.
| Published pricing | Starter from $6/user/mo; Essentials from $17/user/mo; higher suites inquire |
| Free plan / trial | Free trials available; Starter is the published entry commercial tier |
| Core focus | SSO, MFA, lifecycle management, workflows, governance, privileged access |
| Main limitation | Professional and Enterprise suites are quote-led; add-ons increase cost |
- Clear published Starter and Essentials per-user rates on the official page.
- Extensive pre-built integrations for SaaS applications.
- Separate Customer Identity (Auth0) line for product and B2B identity.
4. Auth0 (Okta Customer Identity)
Best for: Product and engineering teams that need to embed login, MFA, social connections, and authorization into customer-facing applications.
| Published pricing | Free developer tier; paid plans by MAU or usage; Enterprise base platform |
| Free plan / trial | Free tier for development and low MAU; trials available |
| Core focus | CIAM, Universal Login, MFA, organizations, API authorization |
| Main limitation | Production scale and advanced enterprise features move to higher tiers or sales |
- Developer-friendly free tier and documented usage-based progression.
- Strong fit for B2C and B2B product identity rather than pure workforce SSO.
- Part of the broader Okta Customer Identity portfolio.
5. OneLogin / Ping Identity and similar enterprise suites
Best for: Larger or regulated organizations that need advanced federation, privileged access, or complex hybrid identity architectures.
| Published pricing | Entry packages sometimes published; most enterprise deployments quote-led |
| Free plan / trial | Trials common; production typically requires sales engagement |
| Core focus | Enterprise SSO, federation, privileged access, identity governance |
| Main limitation | Less transparent self-serve list pricing than the entry-level vendors above |
- Strong in complex hybrid and federation scenarios.
- Expect formal scoping and quote for production governance features.
- Evaluate against Entra, Okta, or JumpCloud when list-price transparency matters.
Kurums Match
I am already on Microsoft 365 or Azure
Microsoft Entra ID (Free, P1, or P2) is usually the lowest-friction path because it is already licensed or tightly bundled.
I need identity plus device management for mixed OS fleets
JumpCloud publishes per-user rates for directory, SSO, and MDM capabilities under one platform.
I need mature workforce SSO and MFA across many SaaS apps
Okta publishes Starter and Essentials per-user pricing and has a large application catalog.
I am building login into my product for customers
Auth0 (Okta Customer Identity) offers a free developer tier and usage-based plans designed for CIAM.
I have complex federation or privileged access needs
Enterprise suites from Okta, Ping, or similar are typically quote-led; start with a formal requirements and security review.
Buying tip
Map your primary identity problem first (workforce SSO, device trust, customer login, or privileged access). Then compare list-price entry points against the cost of the specific modules you will actually enable in year one.
How this comparison was put together
Official pricing and product pages for Microsoft Entra ID, JumpCloud, Okta, and Auth0 were reviewed on 27 September 2026. Only publicly stated free or list models are shown; quote-led enterprise suites are labeled. Order follows published accessibility.
FAQ
What is the difference between IAM and PAM?
IAM covers everyday authentication and authorization for users and apps. Privileged access management (PAM) focuses on elevated or admin credentials, session control, and just-in-time access for sensitive systems.
Do I still need a traditional Active Directory?
Many organizations keep on-prem AD for legacy systems while using cloud IAM (Entra ID, JumpCloud, Okta) for SaaS and modern device management. Hybrid setups are common.
How is customer identity priced differently?
CIAM is often priced by monthly active users (MAU) or authentication volume rather than by employee seat. Free developer tiers are common; production scale is usage-based.
Is MFA enough for zero trust?
MFA is necessary but not sufficient. Zero-trust approaches also evaluate device posture, location, risk signals, and continuous authorization after the initial login.
Related: Best Password Manager Software in 2026 Β· Best Business VPN in 2026 Β· Best Secrets Management Software in 2026
Last updated: 27 September 2026. Pricing and features change; always verify on the vendor site.
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