NextGen Identity Security

Google Cloud Identity vs Ping Identity for workforce IAM

SHORT ANSWER

On our weights for workforce IAM, Ping Identity scores 7.2 / 10 and Google Cloud Identity 6.3 / 10. Google Cloud Identity does not score higher on any criterion here; Ping Identity scores higher on provisioning to apps and AI agent identities. They score the same on app integration breadth, phishing-resistant sign-in, protection of token signing and pricing transparency.

Editorial assessment · Desk research from public vendor material · Reviewed 2026-09-29

Scores by criterion

C1App integration breadth20%
Google Cloud Identity
7

"Thousands" of pre-integrated SAML and OIDC apps.

Source: Google Cloud Identity

Ping Identity
7

Marketplace lists 350+ connectors; federation across OAuth, OIDC, SAML and WS-Federation.

Source: Ping Identity

Higher score: Tie

C2Phishing-resistant sign-in20%
Google Cloud Identity
7

MFA including Titan Security Keys, and passkeys.

Source: Google Cloud Identity

Ping Identity
7

Passwordless with FIDO in the Plus plan.

Source: Ping Identity pricing

Higher score: Tie

C3Protection of token signing10%
Google Cloud Identity
5Gap in public material

Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.

Source: Google Cloud Identity

Ping Identity
5Gap in public material

Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.

Source: Ping Identity pricing

Higher score: Tie

C4Provisioning to apps15%
Google Cloud Identity
6

Automated provisioning to third-party apps is limited to the Premium edition.

Source: Google Cloud Identity editions

Ping Identity
8

SCIM and inbound provisioning in the Essential plan.

Source: Ping Identity pricing

Higher score: Ping Identity

C5AI agent identities15%
Google Cloud Identity
3Gap in public material

Agent identities are not described on the pages reviewed.

Source: Google Cloud Identity

Ping Identity
7

Announced agent discovery and governance and Programmable Identity in May 2026, with availability varying by product and region.

Source: Ping Identity press, 27 May 2026

Higher score: Ping Identity

C6Pricing transparency20%
Google Cloud Identity
8

Premium at $7.2 per user per month; a Free edition exists.

Source: Google Cloud Identity · Google Cloud Identity editions

Ping Identity
8

Essential $3 and Plus $6 per user per month, with a 5,000-user annual minimum.

Source: Ping Identity pricing

Higher score: Tie

Weighted total

Google Cloud Identity 6.3 / 10 · Ping Identity 7.2 / 10

Higher score: Ping Identity

Where each one scores higher

Google Cloud Identity scores higher on

No criterion on this page.

Ping Identity scores higher on

  • provisioning to apps (6 vs 8)
  • AI agent identities (3 vs 7)

Pricing, side by side

Google Cloud Identity

  • Cloud Identity Free: $0 per user per month
  • Cloud Identity Premium: $7.20 per user per month

Free edition; per user per month.

Context-Aware Access, Secure LDAP and automated provisioning to third-party apps are Premium-only.

Source: Google Cloud Identity · Google Cloud Identity editions

As published on 2026-09-29.

Visit Google Cloud Identity

Ping Identity

  • PingOne for Workforce Essential: $3 per user per month
  • PingOne for Workforce Plus: $6 per user per month

per user per month, annual contract.

Published prices are based on an annual contract with a 5,000-user minimum.

Source: Ping Identity pricing

As published on 2026-09-29.

Visit Ping Identity

Which should you choose?

Choose Google Cloud Identity if pricing transparency and app integration breadth matter most. It scores 8 and 7 on them. Premium at $7.2 per user per month; a Free edition exists.

Choose Ping Identity if pricing transparency and provisioning to apps matter most. It scores 8 and 8 on them. Essential $3 and Plus $6 per user per month, with a 5,000-user annual minimum.

Questions

Which scores higher overall, Google Cloud Identity or Ping Identity?

On our weights for workforce IAM, Ping Identity scores 7.2 / 10 and Google Cloud Identity 6.3 / 10. Totals are the weighted average of six criterion scores; the weights are listed on the Workforce IAM page.

Where does Google Cloud Identity score higher than Ping Identity?

On none of the six criteria on this page.

Where does Ping Identity score higher than Google Cloud Identity?

On provisioning to apps and AI agent identities.

Related

Sources