The Best Single-Sign-On Solutions of 2021

Pricing

OneLogin offers several pricing tiers and the option to bundle multiple security solutions for a discounted price. For just SSO, you can expect to pay $2 per user per month, but you can get the Advanced bundle – which includes SSO, an advanced directory and multifactor authentication (MFA) – for just $4 per user per month. (Each service is normally $2 per user per month.) The Professional bundle costs $8 per user per month and adds Advanced+, identity lifecycle management and HR-driven identity to your plan.

Features

OneLogin is a flexible SSO solution that allows administrators to tailor the identity management process to suit their organization's specific needs. Its compatibility with numerous directory types – including Active Directory (AD), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Google apps – makes it useful for any organization, as does the unique methods OneLogin offers for managing groups.

OneLogin has an easily navigated and simple-to-use portal that grants users access to certain applications with a single set of sign-on credentials. Approved applications appear in one central location and, once users utilize their SSO credentials, can be accessed with a single click. The user portal can be customized to match a company's aesthetic and branding as well.

Here are some other features OneLogin offers:

• Mapping: OneLogin has a unique mapping tool that allows administrators to manage security groups directly rather than synchronizing them with the integrated directory. In effect, OneLogin mapping automates the user provisioning process.
  
  
• Self-registration pages: OneLogin's self-registration feature sets the SSO solution apart from the competition by enabling users to request permission to access specific applications themselves. These pages are subject to administrative controls but streamline users' ability to collaborate with partner organizations or grant temporary access to the SSO ecosystem – for example, for temps or interns. For administrators, these types of self-registered users can be added to one group that is subject to specific permissions and restrictions.
  
  
• Multifactor authentication: Like all of our best picks, OneLogin has an MFA feature that verifies users' identities a minimum of two times for an added layer of security. Administrators can set MFA policies during implementation and modify those settings later.
  
  
• Policies: Administrators are given great latitude over setting policies and user restrictions. One of our favorite policies is the ability to control password complexity, as well as the option to mandate regular password resets and limit users' abilities to reuse old passwords. Like MFA, these policies boost the security of OneLogin's overall system and put network administrators in the driver's seat.

OneLogin Pros

Companies love that OneLogin is a robust SSO platform that covers their entire workforce. It remembers users' passwords with ease and provides access to all company information. OneLogin is accessible to any industry, thanks to the platform's easy-to-navigate interface and customizability.

OneLogin Cons

Some users have had difficulty implementing OneLogin with their custom-built applications, requiring them to get a custom solution.

Customer Support

OneLogin offers multiple customer support features to facilitate the user experience. The company has an online Customer Help Center that allows users to find answers and troubleshoot problems. There is also a library of onboarding training videos to get you and your team up to speed on the service. Your team can also request training packages that are targeted to your team's needs.

The Enterprise tier includes Last Pass' single-sign-on and password management solutions for an unlimited number of users for $6 per user per month. The Identity tier, which costs $8 per user per month, adds a robust suite of advanced multifactor authentication (MFA) features.

In addition to customizable security, application programming interface (API) access and directory integrations, the Enterprise and Identity plans come with a dedicated customer success manager to guide you through the onboarding process. MFA can be added separately to the Teams and Enterprise plans for $3 per user per month.

Features

Every LastPass business plan comes with simple, secure online/offline password management. This includes an admin console, individual employee password vaults, a password generator, a security dashboard, dark-web monitoring and standard two-factor authentication.

If you choose one of the higher tiers, you'll get access to these single-sign-on features and integrations for your business:

• Large integrated-app catalog: LastPass includes integrations for more than 1,200 popular business applications, including Asana, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Jira, Salesforce, Slack and Zoom.
  
  
• Contextual access: Your IT team can set parameters for when, where and on which devices your employees can access their accounts. This is especially important for remote workers, who may be tempted to use unsecured personal devices to access their business applications.
  
  
• Customizable security policies: LastPass allows your company to leverage 100-plus configurable security and access policies so you can enforce best practices with your team's password security.
  
  
• Detailed reporting: Learn when, where and how your employees are using their work apps with in-depth reports from LastPass.
  
  
• Advanced MFA: Certain LastPass business plans include impressive methods, including adaptive biometric authentication, contextual authentication policies and workstation login. Authentication reporting offers insight into which employees are accessing which applications.

LastPass Pros

LastPass provides a wide range of features to help companies of all sizes keep their business accounts secure, especially with its Enterprise and Identity plans. LastPass' large catalog of SSO application integrations means your business systems are likely already a part of the LastPass ecosystem, making it easy to set it up and start granting access to employees. Customizable security and contextual access policies offer your IT team comprehensive control over how your employees use their work resources.

LastPass Cons

Businesses that are looking for a truly comprehensive IAM solution with single sign-on, MFA and flexible IT controls won't find it here, unless they opt for the highest LastPass service tier. At double the cost per user of the basic Teams plan, the Identity plan may quickly become expensive as a midsize company grows.

Customer Support

LastPass offers a number of options for customer support for all business users, including 24/7 live chat, a self-help user manual, phone support and priority email support. Qualified companies that opt for the Enterprise, Identity or MFA plans are also assigned a dedicated customer success manager to help with onboarding questions and issues.

Features

Okta is easy to navigate. The web portal, like those of many SSO solutions, organizes your applications and sites into a neat grid. The portal is customizable, allowing users to drag and drop icons and set up personalized tabs for quick reference. Administrators can also use the portal to update credentials. Okta's browser tab makes it easy to quickly cycle through and access your saved websites and applications.

Okta supports integration with several directory types, including Active Directory and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, across multiple domains. It also includes robust security policy controls, helping administrators tailor specific rules for access, MFA and conditions.

Here are a few of Okta's most useful features for businesses:

• User provisioning: Okta gives administrators a unique level of control over the user provisioning process. Settings for how and when to import a user based on specific conditions, such as whether they have an existing Okta account, help tailor an automated import process to your needs. For example, administrators can set the precise instances when they should be alerted to further monitor an account. This feature can expedite the implementation process by directing administrators' attention only to the necessary users.
  
  
• Multifactor authentication: MFA is imperative for security purposes, and Okta allows it to be activated in a number of ways. Several platforms come pre-integrated with Okta, and security policies can be set to require MFA under specific conditions. This added layer of security is especially important for large firms.
  
  
• Security reports: Okta provides security reporting in real time, which can help administrators monitor the system for any signs of foul play or easily spot potential vulnerabilities before they become problems. The heavily data-driven reports can feel overwhelming, but they are thorough and helpful.

Okta Pros and Cons

The biggest limitation we encountered with Okta is that the security policies have to be set on an application-by-application basis. While this isn't a barrier to functionality, it slows the setup process and produces additional work for the IT department.

Ultimately, Okta delivers a superior product for a low price, but administrators should consider this potential drawback. Still, Okta is an easy-to-use, powerful solution that allows administrators to craft the identity management process to best suit their organizations' needs.

Features

Here are some of the features of Cloud Identity's SSO solution:

• A single console: Administrators can control the entire SSO ecosystem from a central location. Cloud Identity allows admins to enable and disable applications to users with a single sign-on. Additionally, business accounts can be accessed the same way as personal Google accounts, allowing for easy usage.
  
  
• Digital workspace: Users can access their workplace from anywhere in the world with only one login for thousands of applications. It's as simple as logging in once and accessing pre-integrated SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) apps, custom apps and on-premises apps.
  
  
• Google-grade security: Cloud Identity offers the BeyondCorp security model, which brings remote, VPN-style access to all users and their devices. Cloud Identity employs Google's threat intelligence signals that alert administrators to security breaches or issues within their infrastructure. A main security center allows administrators to manage end points and investigate these potential security threats in real time.
  
  
• Multifactor authentication: MFA is a must-have feature in a modern-day SSO solution. The ability to verify a user's identity with two or more steps is essential to avoiding data breaches that result in the loss of sensitive data, such as login credentials.

Cloud Identity Pros

Cloud Identity allows users to work from virtually anywhere by providing integrations with thousands of popular apps, such as Salesforce and Slack. A unified admin console makes it easy for administrators to provision and deprovision users, and Cloud Identity also allows access to traditional applications with secure LDAP, thus providing easy access to on-premises apps.

Security is one of Cloud Identity's main strengths. The SSO solution employs measures such as push notifications, one-time passwords and security keys to keep users and applications safe from phishing threats and security breaches. It also offers end-point management for Android, iOS and Windows 10 devices for easy deployment. Bring-your-own-device support allows users to safely use their personal devices to get work done.

Cloud Identity Cons

Cloud Identity offers only two plans, which may be limiting for large organizations. Additionally, certain features, such as 24/7 support, are restricted to the premium plan, which may not be the case for other SSO solutions.

Customer Support

Google Cloud Identity includes 24/7 support with a live representative in the premium subscription package. Access is granted through an administrative account, and support is available in multiple languages. The free version of Cloud Identity offers a community support feature to answer frequently asked questions and 24/7 support if you paid for Cloud Platform support or Google Workspace.

The company also allows companies to build their own directory and plan, starting at $2 per user per month, depending on the features. All plans give users access to all of the features, some of which are listed below. The company offers a 30-day free trial on paid packages, so you can take it for a test spin before subscribing.

Features

Here are some of the features that come with a JumpCloud subscription:

• User management: JumpCloud offers administrators a number of ways to manage users, including a central Directory as a Service (DaaS), which can tie users to the applications, devices and networks needed for them to work productively. Admins can easily manage users by creating or importing accounts in the JumpCloud console, where they can be mapped to different devices, apps and networks. Administrators can also utilize groups to manage several users simultaneously.
  
  
• Access control: JumpCloud makes it easy for administrators to control the levels of access for each user or group of users. By leveraging the central JumpCloud console, administrators can quickly grant and manage access throughout all applications, devices and networks. The console also enables administrators to regularly change credentials and terminate old users, such as employees who have left the organization.
  
  
• Integrations: Applications can be authenticated with JumpCloud using Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, Security Assertion Markup Language and JumpCloud's own REST API. JumpCloud offers integrations with Google Workspace applications, Microsoft Office 365 and the organization's preferred active directory.

JumpCloud Pros

The free version of JumpCloud is perfect for small businesses and startups, and once these businesses do scale, the solution is still very affordable. Customers love the easy accessibility and setup and the wide variety of integrations.

JumpCloud also has consistently high user satisfaction ratings across several review platforms. Customers often refer to JumpCloud as "useful," "effective" and "reliable" when describing this SSO solution.

JumpCloud Cons

Compared with its competitors, JumpCloud has limited options for detailed reports. In addition, the company's customer service is available only during typical business hours.

Customer Support

JumpCloud offers a customer support portal where users can ask questions and browse issues by topic. Users can also submit a case directly to the website or chat with a customer service expert through the company's premium support chat feature. Every Friday, JumpCloud hosts "Office Hours Q&A sessions," which allow IT administrators to talk with JumpCloud's experts.