Okta vs Cognito vs Keycloak Comparison
Okta
Starting at $2 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Okta is a cloud based Identity and Access Management service that allows developers to manage users and connect applications securely. With Okta, developers can easily and securely add user authentication, authorization,…
Cognito
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Cognito is an Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software as a service platform that act as the core of a Security Operation Centre (SOC) to respond to security incidents, help reduce compliance costs, protect business…
Keycloak
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Keycloak is a thin identity and access management layer (IAM) for modern applications. Keycloak is built to handle enterprise needs and offer a simple experience to developers, it protects identities with strong two-fact…
Okta leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 2,247 reviews.
Okta vs Cognito vs Keycloak — at a glance
| Feature | Okta | Cognito | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | — | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,247 | — | 80 |
| Starting price | $2 /User/Month | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software | Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software | Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | — | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global |
Key differences between Okta and Cognito
- Pricing: Okta starts at $2 /User/Month. Cognito pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Okta offers a free trial; Cognito does not.
- Target audience: Okta is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Cognito targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: Okta supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Cognito supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Okta vs Cognito vs Keycloak — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for scalable, secure IAM with seamless SSO in medium to large enterprises.
- You need robust multi-factor authentication and enterprise-grade security features.
- Your organization requires integration with a wide range of cloud applications.
- You want developer-friendly tools to implement secure user authentication and authorization.
- You are a freelancer or very small business with minimal identity management needs.
- You require an on-premises IAM solution rather than a cloud-based platform.
Best for medium businesses needing SOC-centered IAM with compliance focus.
- You require IAM integrated as the core of a Security Operation Centre (SOC).
- Your organization needs to reduce compliance costs through access management.
- You manage a medium-sized company (50-500 employees) with growing user bases.
- You are a small business with fewer than 50 employees seeking simple IAM.
- You need transparent, out-of-the-box pricing and straightforward setup.
Open-source IAM ideal for enterprises needing strong security and developer flexibility.
- You need robust multi-factor authentication and fine-grained access control.
- Your team includes developers and IT admins comfortable with medium-complexity setup.
- You want a flexible, configurable IAM solution tailored for modern applications.
- Your organization requires turnkey solutions with comprehensive commercial support and SLAs.
- You are a very small business with minimal identity management needs.
Okta: Best for scalable, secure IAM with seamless SSO in medium to large enterprises. Cognito: Best for medium businesses needing SOC-centered IAM with compliance focus.
Description | Okta is a cloud based Identity and Access Management service that allows developers to manage users and connect applications securely. With Okta, developers can easily and securely add user ... Read More about Okta | Cognito is an Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software as a service platform that act as the core of a Security Operation Centre (SOC) to respond to security incidents, help reduce ... Read More about Cognito | Keycloak is a thin identity and access management layer (IAM) for modern applications. Keycloak is built to handle enterprise needs and offer a simple experience to developers, it protects ... Read More about Keycloak |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 50-10,000 employeesMedium to Large Enterprises | 50 to 500 employeesMedium Business | 50 to 500 employees501 to 5,000 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Seamless User Experience: Okta simplifies the login process for users with Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing them to access multiple applications with just one set of credentials. This means your team can focus on their work without the hassle of remembering numerous passwords.
- Enhanced Security: With Okta's robust identity management features, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), you can protect sensitive data against unauthorized access. As managers, you’ll appreciate the peace of mind that comes from knowing your organization is fortified against cyber threats.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Whether you're a growing startup or an established enterprise, Okta scales effortlessly with your needs. It integrates easily with a wide range of applications, ensuring that as your business evolves, your identity management solution does too.
- Enhanced Security: With Cognito, you can protect sensitive data effortlessly. It employs robust encryption and authentication protocols, ensuring that your organization's information remains safe from unauthorized access.
- Streamlined User Management: Whether you’re an administrator overseeing user accounts or a manager ensuring team productivity, Cognito simplifies user onboarding and management. You can easily create, manage, and monitor user profiles with just a few clicks.
- Scalability at Its Best: As your organization grows, so do your needs. Cognito is designed to scale seamlessly, accommodating an increasing number of users without sacrificing performance or efficiency.
- Streamlined Identity Management: Keycloak simplifies user authentication and authorization processes, enabling your team to focus on core business objectives without the hassle of managing complex identity systems.
- Single Sign-On (SSO) Convenience: With Keycloak's SSO capabilities, your users enjoy seamless access across multiple applications with just one set of credentials. This not only enhances user satisfaction but also reduces password fatigue.
- Robust Security Features: Built with security in mind, Keycloak offers features like multi-factor authentication and fine-grained access control, helping you protect sensitive data and comply with industry standards.
Best fit
- 50 to 10,000 employees.
- Specific industries include SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, Education, and Government.
- Typical users are IT Administrators, Security Officers, Compliance Managers, and Application Developers.
- 50 to 500 employees
- Martech, Fintech, Sales Automation, SaaS, and Consulting
- Sales Managers, Account Executives, Business Development Representatives, and CRM Administrators
- 50 to 5,000 employees
- SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, E-commerce, and Consulting
- IT Administrators, Software Developers, Security Engineers, and DevOps Professionals
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to Okta due to pricing concerns, particularly for small businesses or startups that find the cost of licenses and features prohibitive for their budget constraints.
- Organizations with specific compliance or security requirements might look for alternative solutions that offer tailored features or greater customization to meet their unique regulatory obligations.
- Businesses experiencing integration challenges with existing systems may explore other identity management platforms that provide more seamless connectivity with their current technology stack.
- Users may seek alternatives due to pricing concerns, as Cognito's costs can escalate with increasing user bases or feature requirements, prompting a search for more budget-friendly options.
- Some users find the integration process with Cognito complex and time-consuming, leading them to explore solutions that offer simpler, more intuitive integration capabilities with their existing tech stacks.
- The need for specific features, such as advanced analytics or customizable user interfaces, can drive users to consider alternatives that better align with their unique project needs and goals.
- Users may seek alternatives to Keycloak due to its complexity in setup and configuration, particularly for smaller teams or projects that require a more straightforward identity management solution.
- Some organizations might prefer alternatives that offer better integration with specific cloud services or platforms, especially if they are heavily invested in a particular ecosystem.
- Performance concerns could lead users to explore other options, particularly if they experience scalability issues or latency with Keycloak in high-demand environments.
Software Demo
Demo |  Cognito has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us | Keycloak has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Okta, Cognito and Keycloak Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 11 Features | 9 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Okta, Cognito and Keycloak on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Pricing Page |  | Pricing information not available | Pricing information not available |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Okta vs Cognito User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | ||
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Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Okta's ease of use, security features, and scalability, with some concerns about pricing transparency and complexity for smaller users. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment No user reviews or ratings are available to gauge buyer sentiment. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Keycloak's strong security features and flexible identity management, though some find setup and support challenging. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Albertsons Cos  Major League Baseball | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  1 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos | No videos available. | No videos available. |
Alternatives
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Related Blogs and Articles for Identity And Access Management Iam Software
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Okta or Cognito?
- Okta edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Okta and Cognito offer a free trial?
- Okta offers a free trial. Cognito does not.
- What is the starting price of Okta vs Cognito?
- Okta starts at $2 /User/Month. Cognito starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Okta?
- Top alternatives to Okta include Oracle Identity Management, SailPoint IdentityIQ, WSO2 Identity Server, Keycloak, Azure AD.
- What are the top alternatives to Cognito?
- Top alternatives to Cognito include Oracle Identity Management, IBM Security Verify Access, Akku, Ping Identity, Microsoft Azure AD.