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July 11, 2024

Top Auth0 alternatives: Auth0 vs Okta vs Cognito vs SuperTokens [2024]

An in depth review of Auth0 alternatives for 2023: Auth0 vs Okta vs Cognito vs SuperTokens

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By Joel CoutinhoSoftware Developer at SuperTokens

When it comes to choosing an authentication provider, businesses have several options. This comparison of Auth0, Okta, Cognito, SuperTokens, and other tools will help you make an informed decision based on key features, pricing, limitations, and when to use each solution.

Table of Contents

SuperTokens

SuperTokens Logo

SuperTokens is an open-source authentication solution designed for developers who want flexibility and control over their authentication flow.

Key Features

  • Open-source and self-hosted
  • Easy integration with frontend and backend frameworks
  • Support for various authentication methods including email/password, social login, and passwordless
  • Granular control over sessions and JWTs
  • Advanced security features like anti-CSRF and token theft detection

Pricing

SuperTokens offers a free open-source version. For managed services, pricing starts at $25 per month for the Pro plan, which includes features like managed hosting, priority support, and custom domain support. Enterprise pricing is available on request and includes additional features such as SLA, dedicated support, and custom SLAs.

Limitations

  • Support for a limited number of backend languages and frameworks.
  • Limited integrations compared to some commercial solutions

When to Use It

Use SuperTokens if you need a flexible, open-source solution with strong session management and advanced security features, and are comfortable managing your own infrastructure.

Okta

Okta logo

Okta is a comprehensive identity management solution designed for large enterprises needing advanced features and integrations.

Key Features

  • Robust single sign-on (SSO) capabilities
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Lifecycle management for users
  • API access management
  • Extensive integration ecosystem

Pricing

Okta’s pricing is tiered:

  • Workforce Identity: Starts at $2 per user per month for single sign-on. Advanced features like MFA and lifecycle management are available at higher tiers.
  • Customer Identity: Starts at $23 per month for 1,000 MAUs. Advanced features like adaptive MFA and API access management are priced higher.

Limitations

  • Can be expensive for small businesses
  • Complex setup and configuration for advanced features

When to Use It

Use Okta if you are a large enterprise requiring extensive integrations, robust security features, and comprehensive identity management.

Keycloak

Keycloak

Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution aimed at developers who need customizability and control.

Key Features

  • Open-source and self-hosted
  • SSO and identity brokering
  • Supports OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and SAML
  • User federation and social login
  • Admin console for user and role management

Pricing

Keycloak is free to use as it is open-source. Costs are associated with hosting and maintenance, which can vary depending on the infrastructure and scale.

Limitations

  • Requires self-hosting and management
  • Steeper learning curve for setup and configuration

When to Use It

Use Keycloak if you need a customizable, open-source solution with comprehensive SSO and identity brokering capabilities, and have the resources to manage it.

Cognito

Cognito

Amazon Cognito is a cloud-based authentication service designed to integrate seamlessly with AWS services.

Key Features

  • User sign-up, sign-in, and access control
  • Social and enterprise identity federation
  • Secure access to AWS resources
  • Advanced security features like adaptive authentication
  • Integration with AWS ecosystem

Pricing

Cognito offers a free tier with limited usage:

  • Free Tier: 50,000 MAUs
  • Beyond Free Tier: $0.0055 per MAU, plus additional charges for advanced security features and federation options

Limitations

  • Tied closely to the AWS ecosystem
  • Limited customization compared to some alternatives

When to Use It

Use Cognito if you are heavily invested in the AWS ecosystem and need a scalable authentication solution with strong integration with AWS services.

Overall comparison of authentication providers

Feature SuperTokens Auth0 AWS Cognito Keycloak Firebase
Pricing $$ / Free $$$$$$ Free $$ $$
User Satisfaction High Medium Low Low High
Ease of UI and backend customizability Easy Medium High High High
Size of the company offering services Startup Enterprise Enterprise Enterprise Enterprise
Company provided support for free tiers High Low Low None Medium
Self hostable Yes Yes No Yes No
Open Source Yes No No Yes No
Managed Service Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Supported Cloud Providers All All AWS All GCP
Compliance (SOC2, GDPR) Yes Yes Yes Self hosted Yes
User management dashboard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Passwordless login (email + phone no) Yes Yes Partial Yes Yes
Social and Email Password login Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Custom Open ID connector Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SAML Login Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Unified login Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes
External Database Yes Yes No Yes Yes
SLA guarantees Yes Yes Yes No Not Known
2FA / MFA Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial
Roles and permissions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Web3 login No Yes No No No
Machine to machine Partial Yes Yes Yes Partial
Multi tenancy Yes Yes Limit to 4 Yes Yes
Cookie based session management (Out of the box) Yes No No No No
Customize Emails and SMS Yes Yes Partial Partial Partial

For more details, you can visit the SuperTokens Pricing page.

What to Look for in an Auth0 Alternative?

When choosing an alternative to Auth0, consider the following factors:

Factor 1: Integration and Ecosystem Compatibility

Ensure the solution integrates well with your existing tech stack and supports the identity providers and protocols you need.

Factor 2: Customizability and Control

Evaluate the level of customization and control you require over the authentication process and user data.

Factor 3: Pricing and Scalability

Consider your budget and the solution’s ability to scale with your user base and feature requirements.

Conclusion

Choosing the right authentication solution depends on your specific needs, including integration requirements, control over authentication processes, and budget constraints. SuperTokens, Okta, Keycloak, and Cognito each offer unique strengths, so evaluate them based on your priorities to find the best fit for your organization.

Software dev and content lead at SuperTokens. Contributed to the SuperTokens core, backend SDKs, and developer documentation.