The best SSO provider depends on whose logins you're managing: a workforce identity platform suits staff signing in to work apps, an open source provider suits teams that self-host, and a developer API suits SaaS companies adding enterprise SSO. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
Single sign-on, or SSO, lets people sign in once and reach all their apps without a separate password for each. For staff it means fewer passwords to forget. For IT teams, it's one place to switch someone's access off when they leave.
The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from free open source providers to the biggest names in identity. Every description comes from the vendor's own site, read this week. If passwords are still your team's main headache, my comparison of Bitwarden and 1Password covers the step before SSO.
SSO providers at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free tool or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auth0 | Customer identity platform | Login and SSO for customer-facing apps | Not stated |
| authentik | Self-hosted open source identity provider | Self-hosting SSO you control | Yes |
| Frontegg | Customer identity for B2B SaaS | Adding login and SSO to a SaaS product | Not stated |
| JumpCloud | Directory and SSO platform | Small IT teams managing every resource | Trial only |
| Keycloak | Open source identity and access management | Adding login to apps with no licence | Yes |
| Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft's identity and SSO service | Businesses on Microsoft 365 | Trial only |
| Okta | Workforce and customer identity platform | A neutral identity layer for many apps | Trial only |
| OneLogin | Cloud single sign-on service | One set of credentials on any device | Not stated |
| Ping Identity | Enterprise identity platform | One-click access in big enterprises | Not stated |
| SSOJet | Enterprise SSO add-on for B2B apps | Adding SAML without rebuilding auth | Not stated |
| WorkOS | Enterprise-ready SSO API | Winning your first enterprise customer | Not stated |
Eleven SSO providers to consider
Auth0
Best for: Product teams that want sign-in and SSO for customers across the whole lifecycle, from a developer-focused identity brand.
authentik
Best for: Technical teams that want a self-hosted, open source identity provider with infrastructure as code and full APIs.
Frontegg
Best for: SaaS companies that want a low-code customer identity platform for their own app, including identity for AI agents.
JumpCloud
Best for: Smaller IT teams that want single sign-on alongside device and directory management, with a free trial.
Keycloak
Best for: Developers who want open source identity and access management to add authentication without storing users themselves.
Microsoft Entra ID
Best for: Businesses already on Microsoft 365 that want SSO to SaaS, cloud and on-premises apps from the same account.
Okta
Best for: Companies with lots of apps that want a neutral identity platform for staff, customers and non-human identities.
OneLogin
Best for: Organisations that want staff to sign in once and reach cloud and internal web apps on desktops, phones and tablets.
Ping Identity
Best for: Large enterprises that want secure, one-click access to everything, with authentication handled behind the scenes.
SSOJet
Best for: B2B app makers who want SAML, OIDC and SCIM added without touching the authentication system they already run.
WorkOS
Best for: Startups that want SAML and OpenID Connect through a single API so they can say yes to enterprise customers.
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Workforce SSO or SSO for your own product?
There are two quite different reasons to look for an SSO provider. The first is workforce identity: your staff signing in to email, chat, CRM and the rest of their work apps. The second is customer or product identity: you build software and your business customers want to sign in with their own company's SSO.
Workforce platforms connect to thousands of ready-made apps. Developer-focused providers give you an API so you can add SAML and OpenID Connect to your product without building it yourself. Open source providers can do either, if you're happy to run them.
What the NCSC says about identity
The NCSC warns that if identity and access management procedures and controls are badly designed or implemented, they can give attackers an easy way to gain access that could appear legitimate. When using SSO or federated access, especially over untrusted networks, it says you should validate the identity assertions.
SSO turns one login into the key to everything. That's a big win for convenience and offboarding, but it means that one login needs strong multi-factor authentication and careful setup.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Is this for our staff, our customers, or both?
- Which of our apps support SAML or OpenID Connect today?
- Does it handle user provisioning and removal, such as SCIM?
- What multi-factor options does it offer?
- Do we want to self-host or use a cloud service?
- How does it fit with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace if we use them?
Apps people forget to connect
- Social media accounts. Shared logins often sit outside SSO.
- Design and file-sharing tools. Freelancers may have their own accounts.
- Old internal systems. They may need a connector or a replacement.
- Supplier portals. Each one is another password to track.
Do you make SSO providers? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an SSO provider
If you already run Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, check what your existing identity account can do before buying anything else. Then list the apps your team uses daily and confirm each one supports SSO, because the apps you can't connect are where old passwords hang around.
Switch on phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication at the same time as SSO, not later. One strong front door is safer than twenty weak ones, but only if the front door is strong. My piece on cybersecurity essentials for customer-facing platforms covers the wider checks.
Frequently asked questions
What is an SSO provider?
It's a service that lets people sign in once with one identity and then reach many apps without entering a separate password for each.
Are there free SSO providers?
Yes. Some tools in the table name an open source edition on their own site. Check the free plan column for each one.
What's the difference between SAML and OpenID Connect?
Both are standards for passing a verified identity from a provider to an app. SAML is common in older business apps; OpenID Connect is common in modern web and mobile apps.
Is SSO more secure than separate passwords?
It can be, because there are fewer passwords to steal and access is easier to remove. The single login must be protected with strong multi-factor authentication.
Can I add SSO to my own SaaS product?
Yes. Several providers in this list offer APIs built for adding enterprise SSO to your app without rebuilding your authentication.
What happens to access when someone leaves?
With SSO you disable one account and their access to connected apps goes with it, which is one of the biggest benefits.
