Microsoft Entra ID vs Okta: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Microsoft Entra ID positions itself as "microsoft entra id" while Okta goes after "the identity standard" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Microsoft Entra ID uses a freemium approach and Okta a subscription-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Microsoft Entra ID lets you start for free, which means you can validate the fit before committing budget. Okta requires a paid commitment upfront, so make sure it matches your workflow before signing.
At a glance
| Microsoft Entra ID | Okta | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 87/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Microsoft Entra ID | The identity standard |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| SSO | Yes | Yes |
| MFA | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional Access | Yes | No |
| SCIM provisioning | Yes | Yes |
| Azure app integration | Yes | No |
| Lifecycle management | No | Yes |
| App catalog (7000+) | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Protection | Yes | No |
| Privileged Identity Management | Yes | No |
| Access reviews | Yes | No |
| Verified ID | Yes | No |
| Workload identity | Yes | No |
| Adaptive MFA | No | Yes |
| Device Trust | No | Yes |
| Privileged Access | No | Yes |
| Identity Governance | No | Yes |
| API Access Management | No | Yes |
integrations
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | Yes | No |
| Azure | Yes | No |
| Salesforce | Yes | Yes |
| AWS | Yes | Yes |
| Okta | Yes | No |
| Azure AD | No | Yes |
| Google Workspace | No | Yes |
| Workday | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
How costs scale
Microsoft Entra ID's pricing curve is steeper — the jump from its entry plan to its top tier is more dramatic than Okta's. If you're a growing team, model the 12-month cost at your projected team size, not just today's. Okta tends to stay more predictable as you add seats or usage.
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Microsoft Entra ID means going without Lifecycle management, App catalog (7000+), Adaptive MFA (which Okta offers). Choosing Okta means losing Conditional Access, Azure app integration, Identity Protection. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Okta (5001-10000 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Microsoft Entra ID (10000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Microsoft Entra ID if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Okta if...
- You're ready to invest from $null/mo
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Entra ID or Okta better?
Okta scores 87/100 compared to Microsoft Entra ID's 84/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Microsoft Entra ID excels at ease of use (7/10) while Okta scores 8/10.
How much does Microsoft Entra ID cost compared to Okta?
Microsoft Entra ID starts at free (free tier available). Okta starts at free. Microsoft Entra ID is the more affordable option.
Does Microsoft Entra ID or Okta have a free plan?
Microsoft Entra ID offers a free tier. Okta does not — its cheapest plan starts at $null/mo.
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