WorkOS vs Auth0: Adding Enterprise SSO to Your SaaS
WorkOS vs Auth0 2026 — enterprise SSO comparison, SAML, SCIM provisioning, pricing, and which identity platform is best for adding SSO to your B2B SaaS.
Quick Answer
WorkOS is purpose-built for B2B SaaS enterprise SSO — simpler API, better DX for SAML/OIDC, and a more generous free tier for SSO connections. Auth0 is more flexible for complex auth flows but costs more and is harder to configure for SSO-first use cases. Use WorkOS if enterprise SSO and SCIM provisioning are your primary requirement; use Auth0 if you need SSO plus a broader auth platform.
WorkOS vs Auth0: Overview
B2B SaaS adding enterprise SSO, SCIM, and audit logs for large customers
Free up to 1 million MAUs; SSO free for first org connection
$125/month per SSO connection (org); Enterprise plans custom
WorkOS vs Auth0: Feature Comparison
| Feature | WorkOS | Auth0 |
|---|---|---|
| SSO Setup DX | Guided, 30-min integration | Manual, 1–2 hours |
| Admin Portal (white-label) | Built-in, white-labeled | Auth0 dashboard only |
| SCIM Provisioning | Built-in with webhooks | Available (Professional+) |
| Consumer Auth | Limited (delegates to other provider) | Full consumer auth stack |
| Compliance Logging | Audit Log API built-in | Log streams (add-on) |
| Per-org SSO Cost | $125/org/month | ~$130/connection + base plan |
Pros & Cons
WorkOS
Pros
- SSO-first API: single /sso/authorize endpoint handles SAML, OIDC, and social login uniformly
- Admin Portal: white-labeled UI for enterprise admins to configure SSO themselves — saves support time
- SCIM 2.0: automated user provisioning/deprovisioning from Okta, Azure AD, OneLogin
- Directory Sync: real-time webhook events for user/group changes in enterprise directories
- Audit log API: structured event log for SOC2 compliance evidence collection built-in
Cons
- SSO pricing: $125/month per enterprise org SSO connection — 10 customers = $1,250/month
- Narrower scope: WorkOS is not a full auth platform — you still need another provider for regular user auth
- Newer platform: smaller community and fewer third-party integrations than Auth0
- No built-in MFA: multi-factor auth is not included — requires a companion auth provider
Auth0
Pros
- All-in-one: consumer OAuth/email auth + enterprise SAML SSO in a single platform
- Organizations: per-org SSO with Auth0 Organizations feature on Professional plan
- Mature SAML: battle-tested with Salesforce, Workday, SAP, and thousands of enterprise IdPs
- MFA included: adaptive MFA, step-up auth, and hardware key support on Professional plan
- Okta network: access to Okta's 7,000+ pre-built integrations via the Okta Integration Network
Cons
- Enterprise connection cost: SAML/LDAP enterprise connections add ~$130/connection/month on top of base plan
- Complex pricing: base plan + MAU overage + enterprise connections + MFA add-up to $400+/month quickly
- Slower SSO DX: setting up SAML with Auth0 requires more steps than WorkOS's guided flow
- Admin UX for customers: enterprise admins configure SSO in Auth0 dashboard — not white-labeled
Our Verdict: WorkOS vs Auth0
WorkOS is the specialist — if your roadmap includes enterprise SSO as a key feature for landing $50K+ ACV contracts, WorkOS gives you the fastest path with white-labeled admin portals and SCIM provisioning. Auth0 is the generalist — better if you need one platform for both consumer and enterprise auth. Use WorkOS if enterprise SSO is a Q1 priority and you already have consumer auth solved; use Auth0 if you want to consolidate everything under one identity vendor.
WorkOS vs Auth0 — FAQs
What does it cost to offer SAML SSO to 20 enterprise customers with WorkOS?
WorkOS charges $125/month per SSO organization connection. With 20 enterprise customers each requiring SAML, that is $2,500/month. However, the first connection is free, and WorkOS offers volume discounts above 10 connections. Compare this to Auth0 Professional at $240/month base plus enterprise connection fees (~$130/connection) — at 20 connections, Auth0 would cost approximately $2,840/month plus MAU overages. Both providers become expensive at scale; many high-growth B2B SaaS companies negotiate flat-rate enterprise deals above 20 connections.
Does WorkOS replace your existing auth system or complement it?
WorkOS complements rather than replaces. WorkOS handles enterprise SSO (SAML/OIDC from corporate IdPs) and SCIM provisioning, but it does not provide email/password auth, social login, or session management for regular users. Most teams use WorkOS alongside Clerk, Auth0, or Supabase Auth — WorkOS handles the enterprise connections and the companion handles everything else. WorkOS does offer AuthKit, a basic hosted sign-in UI, but it is intentionally minimal compared to Clerk's full component library.
How long does it take an enterprise customer to configure SSO with WorkOS vs Auth0?
With WorkOS, the Admin Portal provides a self-service guided wizard that most IT administrators complete in 15–30 minutes. The wizard walks through metadata exchange, attribute mapping, and test login without needing your support team. With Auth0, enterprise admins must configure their IdP settings against Auth0's SAML metadata, coordinate attribute mapping with your engineering team, and test through Auth0's dashboard. This typically takes 1–3 hours and often requires a support call. The self-service admin experience is WorkOS's biggest competitive advantage in the B2B market.
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