Overview: Pricing for Microsoft Identity and Okta
Okta Workforce Identity Cloud and Microsoft Entra ID are competing for the same enterprise identity budgets, but their $2 per user per month, while Entra ID P2 costs $9.00 per user per month and Microsoft’s free tier is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. These supplied pricing figures are not officially confirmed, so buyers should verify current regional quotes before signing contracts.
Key details: Microsoft Entra ID vs Okta Identity Cloud
Microsoft Entra ID is Microsoft’s identity platform for workforce access, applications, devices and security policies. It was rebranded from Azure Active Directory in July 2023 and integrates natively with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and the wider Microsoft Intune device-management ecosystem.
Okta Identity Cloud takes a different route. Its application network supports more than 7,000 pre-built integrations as of 2024, giving IT teams a broad catalogue for connecting SaaS applications. Okta was founded in 2009 by Todd McKinnon and Frederic Kerrest in San Francisco, while its acquisition of Auth0 for approximately $6.5 billion in May 2021 expanded its developer-focused identity platform.
| Area | Microsoft Entra ID | Okta Identity Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Microsoft-centric organisations | Mixed-cloud and multi-vendor environments |
| Entry pricing | Free tier with Microsoft 365 | From $2 per user/month for Starter |
| Premium pricing | P2 at $9 per user/month | Varies by package and contract |
| Integration approach | Native Microsoft ecosystem | More than 7,000 reported app integrations |
| Developer identity | Microsoft platform services | Auth0 integration after 2021 acquisition |
The comparison is not as simple as choosing the cheaper service. Entra can reduce duplication for organisations already using Microsoft licensing, whereas Okta can limit dependence on one cloud provider. For a broader view of how platforms package premium access, our coverage of Bigg Boss Hosts’ Fees shows why headline pricing rarely explains the full commercial structure.
Context: security, identity and platform reach
Security is the deciding factor for many buyers. Okta’s Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication uses machine-learning risk signals, including device context, network information and user behaviour, to evaluate access requests before permitting entry. That strength has to be weighed against Okta’s major security breach in October 2023.
Attackers accessed the company’s customer support system and stole session tokens that affected a number of enterprise clients. The incident does not erase Okta’s identity capabilities, but it makes support-system protection, session controls and incident response important parts of procurement. Microsoft’s scale is another consideration. Entra supports more than 500 million monthly active users across enterprise deployments globally, although that figure is supplied as unconfirmed. Businesses seeking a single control plane for Microsoft 365 accounts, Azure resources and Intune-managed devices may prefer its native connections, while independent software vendors may find Okta and Auth0 more flexible.
What’s next for buyers
The practical decision should begin with the existing technology stack, not the brand name. Microsoft-heavy companies should calculate whether Entra policies, device management and licensing already cover their needs; mixed-cloud teams should test Okta’s application catalogue and developer workflows.
Security reviews should include privileged access, session-token handling, administrator recovery and third-party support access. The same discipline used to compare Kevin De Bruyne’s Pressing should apply here: measure the relevant workload instead of relying on reputation. Regional buyers should also request India-specific billing, support terms and data-handling commitments. Product packaging changes, so procurement teams should verify current offers before comparing the result with unrelated technology iPhone Duo Price in India: Apple’s Most Expensive iPhone Ever, Compared Globally
FAQs
What is Okta’s main advantage?
Okta’s main advantage is broad cross-platform application connectivity, supported by its application network and developer-focused Auth0 platform.
Which platform is better for Microsoft 365?
The Microsoft platform is usually the more direct fit because it connects natively with Microsoft 365, Azure and Intune.
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