Workforce IAM platforms compared
SHORT ANSWER
Editorial assessment · Desk research from public vendor material · Reviewed 2026-09-29
Ranking
| Rank | Product | Total | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Okta | 8.5 / 10 | The largest pre-built app catalogue and a vendor-agnostic identity provider |
| 2 | Microsoft Entra | 8.3 / 10 | Microsoft 365 organizations that already pay for Entra ID through their licences |
| 3 | Ping Identity | 7.2 / 10 | Large enterprises that need cloud, self-managed or government deployments |
| 4 | JumpCloud | 6.7 / 10 | Small and mid-size IT teams that want directory, SSO and devices in one place |
| 5 | Google Cloud Identity | 6.3 / 10 | Google Workspace organizations with modest SSO needs |
| 6 | NewCore | 5.4 / 10 | Adding agent identities and split-key token signing alongside an existing identity provider |
How the scores are weighted
- c1 App integration breadth 20%
- c2 Phishing-resistant sign-in 20%
- c3 Protection of token signing 10%
- c4 Provisioning to apps 15%
- c5 AI agent identities 15%
- c6 Pricing transparency 20%
Totals are the weighted average of the criterion scores, computed from the weights shown. Nothing is adjusted by hand.
Scorecard
| Criterion | Okta8.5 / 10 | Microsoft Entra8.3 / 10 | Ping Identity7.2 / 10 | JumpCloud6.7 / 10 | Google Cloud Identity6.3 / 10 | NewCore5.4 / 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c1App integration breadth20%Published size of the pre-built app catalogue. | 10Highest in setMore than 8,000 pre-built integrations in the Okta Integration Network. Source: Okta Integration Network | 8The Entra app gallery "contains thousands of applications"; no exact count is published. | 7Marketplace lists 350+ connectors; federation across OAuth, OIDC, SAML and WS-Federation. Source: Ping Identity | 6Gap in public materialSSO is sold as a product; an app catalogue size is not published on the pages reviewed. Source: JumpCloud pricing | 7"Thousands" of pre-integrated SAML and OIDC apps. Source: Google Cloud Identity | 3Lowest in setNo app catalogue or integration count is published. SAML and OIDC apps connect "with no application changes". Source: NewCore: Identity Security |
| c2Phishing-resistant sign-in20%Passkeys, FIDO2 and similar methods, and how they are enforced. | 9Highest in setFastPass is passwordless and Okta states it meets NIST AAL3 on properly configured devices. Source: Okta FastPass | 9Highest in setWindows Hello for Business, platform credential for macOS, synced passkeys, FIDO2 keys and certificate-based authentication. | 7Lowest in setPasswordless with FIDO in the Plus plan. Source: Ping Identity pricing | 7Lowest in setPasswordless authentication available as an add-on. Source: JumpCloud pricing | 7Lowest in setMFA including Titan Security Keys, and passkeys. Source: Google Cloud Identity | 9Highest in setPasskeys, Visual MFA and live 1 to 10 strength scoring for every authenticator, mapped to NIST levels. Source: NewCore: Identity Security |
| c3Protection of token signing10%Published measures against forged tokens, such as customer-held key shares. | 5Gap in public materialLowest in setCustomer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed. Source: Okta pricing | 5Gap in public materialLowest in setCustomer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed. | 5Gap in public materialLowest in setCustomer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed. Source: Ping Identity pricing | 5Gap in public materialLowest in setCustomer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed. Source: JumpCloud platform | 5Gap in public materialLowest in setCustomer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed. Source: Google Cloud Identity | 9Highest in setSecure Split Key: both key shares, one in NewCore's cloud and one in your environment, are needed to sign a valid token. Source: NewCore: Identity Security |
| c4Provisioning to apps15%SCIM and other connectors that create and remove accounts in apps. | 9Highest in setSCIM provisioning "for thousands of apps", with HR systems as a source. Source: Okta Lifecycle Management | 9Highest in setSCIM 2.0, LDAP, SQL, REST, SOAP and PowerShell connectors, including on-premises targets. | 8SCIM and inbound provisioning in the Essential plan. Source: Ping Identity pricing | 7User lifecycle management available as an add-on. Source: JumpCloud pricing | 6Automated provisioning to third-party apps is limited to the Premium edition. Source: Google Cloud Identity editions | 2Gap in public materialLowest in setSCIM or app provisioning is not mentioned on the pages reviewed. Source: NewCore: Identity Security · NewCore home page |
| c5AI agent identities15%Published support for agents as identities in the same platform. | 8Okta for AI Agents with agent discovery and scoped tokens, sold as an add-on. Source: Okta: Secure AI · Okta pricing | 8Entra Agent ID is generally available to all Entra customers. | 7Announced agent discovery and governance and Programmable Identity in May 2026, with availability varying by product and region. Source: Ping Identity press, 27 May 2026 | 5Mentions agentic identity lifecycle management on its platform page without detail. Source: JumpCloud platform | 3Gap in public materialLowest in setAgent identities are not described on the pages reviewed. Source: Google Cloud Identity | 9Highest in setPeople and AI agents share one policy engine and one audit trail. Source: NewCore home page · NewCore: Identity Security |
| c6Pricing transparency20%Whether per-user prices are published. | 8Starter $6, Core Essentials $14 and Essentials $17 per user per month, billed annually, $1,500 minimum. Source: Okta pricing | 9Highest in setFree, P1 $7.00 and P2 $10.00 per user per month published. Source: Microsoft Entra pricing | 8Essential $3 and Plus $6 per user per month, with a 5,000-user annual minimum. Source: Ping Identity pricing | 9Highest in setSSO at $11 per user per month billed annually, monthly billing option, 30-day trial. Source: JumpCloud pricing | 8Premium at $7.2 per user per month; a Free edition exists. Source: Google Cloud Identity · Google Cloud Identity editions | 2Lowest in setNo pricing published. Source: NewCore home page |
Okta
8.5 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
10Highest in set
More than 8,000 pre-built integrations in the Okta Integration Network.
Source: Okta Integration Network
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
9Highest in set
FastPass is passwordless and Okta states it meets NIST AAL3 on properly configured devices.
Source: Okta FastPass
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
5Gap in public materialLowest in set
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Okta pricing
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
9Highest in set
SCIM provisioning "for thousands of apps", with HR systems as a source.
Source: Okta Lifecycle Management
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
8
Okta for AI Agents with agent discovery and scoped tokens, sold as an add-on.
Source: Okta: Secure AI · Okta pricing
c6 · 20%
Pricing transparency
8
Starter $6, Core Essentials $14 and Essentials $17 per user per month, billed annually, $1,500 minimum.
Source: Okta pricing
Microsoft Entra
8.3 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
8
The Entra app gallery "contains thousands of applications"; no exact count is published.
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
9Highest in set
Windows Hello for Business, platform credential for macOS, synced passkeys, FIDO2 keys and certificate-based authentication.
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
5Gap in public materialLowest in set
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
9Highest in set
SCIM 2.0, LDAP, SQL, REST, SOAP and PowerShell connectors, including on-premises targets.
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
8
Entra Agent ID is generally available to all Entra customers.
c6 · 20%
Pricing transparency
9Highest in set
Free, P1 $7.00 and P2 $10.00 per user per month published.
Source: Microsoft Entra pricing
Ping Identity
7.2 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
7
Marketplace lists 350+ connectors; federation across OAuth, OIDC, SAML and WS-Federation.
Source: Ping Identity
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
7Lowest in set
Passwordless with FIDO in the Plus plan.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
5Gap in public materialLowest in set
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
8
SCIM and inbound provisioning in the Essential plan.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
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
c6 · 20%
Pricing transparency
8
Essential $3 and Plus $6 per user per month, with a 5,000-user annual minimum.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
JumpCloud
6.7 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
6Gap in public material
SSO is sold as a product; an app catalogue size is not published on the pages reviewed.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
7Lowest in set
Passwordless authentication available as an add-on.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
5Gap in public materialLowest in set
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: JumpCloud platform
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
7
User lifecycle management available as an add-on.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
5
Mentions agentic identity lifecycle management on its platform page without detail.
Source: JumpCloud platform
c6 · 20%
Pricing transparency
9Highest in set
SSO at $11 per user per month billed annually, monthly billing option, 30-day trial.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
Google Cloud Identity
6.3 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
7
"Thousands" of pre-integrated SAML and OIDC apps.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
7Lowest in set
MFA including Titan Security Keys, and passkeys.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
5Gap in public materialLowest in set
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
6
Automated provisioning to third-party apps is limited to the Premium edition.
Source: Google Cloud Identity editions
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
3Gap in public materialLowest in set
Agent identities are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
c6 · 20%
Pricing transparency
8
Premium at $7.2 per user per month; a Free edition exists.
Source: Google Cloud Identity · Google Cloud Identity editions
NewCore
5.4 / 10
c1 · 20%
App integration breadth
3Lowest in set
No app catalogue or integration count is published. SAML and OIDC apps connect "with no application changes".
Source: NewCore: Identity Security
c2 · 20%
Phishing-resistant sign-in
9Highest in set
Passkeys, Visual MFA and live 1 to 10 strength scoring for every authenticator, mapped to NIST levels.
Source: NewCore: Identity Security
c3 · 10%
Protection of token signing
9Highest in set
Secure Split Key: both key shares, one in NewCore's cloud and one in your environment, are needed to sign a valid token.
Source: NewCore: Identity Security
c4 · 15%
Provisioning to apps
2Gap in public materialLowest in set
SCIM or app provisioning is not mentioned on the pages reviewed.
Source: NewCore: Identity Security · NewCore home page
c5 · 15%
AI agent identities
9Highest in set
People and AI agents share one policy engine and one audit trail.
Source: NewCore home page · NewCore: Identity Security
What is workforce IAM?
Workforce identity and access management is the system employees and contractors use to sign in to company applications: the directory of people, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and the accounts created for them in each app. It is usually called the identity provider, or IdP.
What is a workforce identity platform?
The same thing, with more attached. Vendors that call themselves a workforce identity platform usually add device checks, threat detection, privileged access and, more recently, identities for AI agents. Okta's Professional suite adds Identity Threat Protection and posture management; Microsoft's P2 plan adds ID Protection and risk-based Conditional Access.
CIAM vs workforce identity management: which are you buying?
Workforce identity is for your own people signing in to tools you choose. Customer identity (CIAM) is for your customers signing in to the product you build. They differ in scale, in who designs the sign-in page and in how they are priced. Several vendors sell both on separate plans: Okta sells Workforce Identity and customer identity under the Auth0 brand, and Ping sells workforce and customer identity. Every product on this page is scored as a workforce platform.
Why do phishing-resistant methods and token signing matter?
Most attacks on workforce identity start with a stolen password or a phished one-time code, and the most damaging ones end with a forged or stolen token. Passkeys and FIDO2 keys address the first. The second is harder: if an attacker can sign tokens, every downstream app trusts them. NewCore's Secure Split Key requires a key share held in the customer's environment to sign any token. The other vendors' pages reviewed here do not describe customer-held signing keys, which is why they score 5 on that criterion rather than lower: it is a gap in public material, not proof of a weakness.
Adding an identity provider next to the one you have
Replacing an identity provider is a large project. NewCore describes an agent-driven coexistence model that "preserves existing federations and policies", which positions it to sit alongside Okta or Entra ID rather than replace them on day one. Buyers considering that route should ask which applications move first, and who owns sign-in policy while two providers run side by side.
Provisioning and SCIM
Provisioning creates and removes accounts in each app when people join or leave. SCIM, defined in RFC 7644, is "an HTTP-based protocol that makes managing identities in multi-domain scenarios easier" and is the standard most app catalogues support. Okta, Microsoft Entra and Ping publish SCIM support; Google limits automated provisioning to its Premium edition; NewCore does not mention it on the pages reviewed.
The six platforms, one by one
Okta
Workforce identity platform with AI agent add-ons
Best for: The largest pre-built app catalogue and a vendor-agnostic identity provider
LEADS ON
c1 App integration breadth 10
More than 8,000 pre-built integrations in the Okta Integration Network.
Source: Okta Integration Network
c2 Phishing-resistant sign-in 9
FastPass is passwordless and Okta states it meets NIST AAL3 on properly configured devices.
Source: Okta FastPass
TRAILS ON
c3 Protection of token signing 5
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Okta pricing
c6 Pricing transparency 8
Starter $6, Core Essentials $14 and Essentials $17 per user per month, billed annually, $1,500 minimum.
Source: Okta pricing
Microsoft Entra
Microsoft's identity family: Entra ID, Entra Agent ID
Best for: Microsoft 365 organizations that already pay for Entra ID through their licences
LEADS ON
c2 Phishing-resistant sign-in 9
Windows Hello for Business, platform credential for macOS, synced passkeys, FIDO2 keys and certificate-based authentication.
c6 Pricing transparency 9
Free, P1 $7.00 and P2 $10.00 per user per month published.
Source: Microsoft Entra pricing
TRAILS ON
c3 Protection of token signing 5
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
c1 App integration breadth 8
The Entra app gallery "contains thousands of applications"; no exact count is published.
Microsoft Entra alternatives · Compare Microsoft Entra head to head
Ping Identity
Workforce and customer identity, cloud or self-managed
Best for: Large enterprises that need cloud, self-managed or government deployments
LEADS ON
c6 Pricing transparency 8
Essential $3 and Plus $6 per user per month, with a 5,000-user annual minimum.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
c4 Provisioning to apps 8
SCIM and inbound provisioning in the Essential plan.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
TRAILS ON
c3 Protection of token signing 5
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Ping Identity pricing
c1 App integration breadth 7
Marketplace lists 350+ connectors; federation across OAuth, OIDC, SAML and WS-Federation.
Source: Ping Identity
Ping Identity alternatives · Compare Ping Identity head to head
JumpCloud
Directory, SSO and device management for small and mid-size IT
Best for: Small and mid-size IT teams that want directory, SSO and devices in one place
LEADS ON
c6 Pricing transparency 9
SSO at $11 per user per month billed annually, monthly billing option, 30-day trial.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
c2 Phishing-resistant sign-in 7
Passwordless authentication available as an add-on.
Source: JumpCloud pricing
TRAILS ON
c5 AI agent identities 5
Mentions agentic identity lifecycle management on its platform page without detail.
Source: JumpCloud platform
c3 Protection of token signing 5
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: JumpCloud platform
Google Cloud Identity
Google's identity service for Workspace and cloud
Best for: Google Workspace organizations with modest SSO needs
LEADS ON
c6 Pricing transparency 8
Premium at $7.2 per user per month; a Free edition exists.
Source: Google Cloud Identity · Google Cloud Identity editions
c1 App integration breadth 7
"Thousands" of pre-integrated SAML and OIDC apps.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
TRAILS ON
c5 AI agent identities 3
Agent identities are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
c3 Protection of token signing 5
Customer-held signing keys are not described on the pages reviewed.
Source: Google Cloud Identity
Google Cloud Identity alternatives · Compare Google Cloud Identity head to head
NewCore
Identity provider for people and AI agents, launched June 2026
Best for: Adding agent identities and split-key token signing alongside an existing identity provider
LEADS ON
c2 Phishing-resistant sign-in 9
Passkeys, Visual MFA and live 1 to 10 strength scoring for every authenticator, mapped to NIST levels.
Source: NewCore: Identity Security
c5 AI agent identities 9
People and AI agents share one policy engine and one audit trail.
Source: NewCore home page · NewCore: Identity Security
TRAILS ON
c6 Pricing transparency 2
No pricing published.
Source: NewCore home page
c4 Provisioning to apps 2
SCIM or app provisioning is not mentioned on the pages reviewed.
Source: NewCore: Identity Security · NewCore home page
Questions
What is the difference between workforce IAM and CIAM?
Workforce IAM is for employees and contractors signing in to company tools. CIAM is for customers signing in to a company's own product. They are usually bought, priced and run separately.
Which workforce IAM platform scores highest?
Okta on the weights used here, with Microsoft Entra close behind. Microsoft and JumpCloud publish the clearest prices.
Does NewCore replace Okta or Entra ID?
NewCore describes a coexistence model that keeps existing federations and policies in place. On this page it scores highest on token-signing protection and agent identities and lowest on app catalogue, provisioning and published pricing.
What does Okta cost?
Okta publishes Starter at $6, Core Essentials at $14 and Essentials at $17 per user per month, billed annually, with a $1,500 annual minimum. Professional and Enterprise are priced on request.
Related topics
From the blog: What workforce identity costs in 2026: published prices compared · NIST IR 8587 explained: what the token protection report means for identity buyers
Sources
- Okta Integration Network: https://www.okta.com/integrations/
- Okta FastPass: https://www.okta.com/products/fastpass/
- Okta pricing: https://www.okta.com/pricing/
- Okta Lifecycle Management: https://www.okta.com/products/lifecycle-management/
- Okta: Secure AI: https://www.okta.com/solutions/secure-ai/
- Microsoft Learn: application gallery: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/enterprise-apps/overview-application-gallery
- Microsoft Learn: authentication methods: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/concept-authentication-methods
- Microsoft Learn: app provisioning: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/app-provisioning/user-provisioning
- Microsoft Learn: agent identities for AI agents: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/agent-id/identity-professional/microsoft-entra-agent-identities-for-ai-agents
- Microsoft Entra pricing: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/microsoft-entra-pricing
- Ping Identity: https://www.pingidentity.com/en.html
- Ping Identity pricing: https://www.pingidentity.com/en/platform/pricing.html
- Ping Identity press, 27 May 2026: https://press.pingidentity.com/2026-05-27-Ping-Identity-Redefines-the-Identity-Control-Plane-for-the-Agentic-Enterprise
- Google Cloud Identity: https://cloud.google.com/identity
- Google Cloud Identity editions: https://docs.cloud.google.com/identity/docs/editions
- JumpCloud pricing: https://jumpcloud.com/pricing
- JumpCloud platform: https://jumpcloud.com/platform
- NewCore: Identity Security: https://newcore.com/platform/identity-security
- NewCore home page: https://newcore.com/
- RFC 7644 (SCIM protocol): https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7644
- NewCore launch release (PR Newswire): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newcore-emerges-from-stealth-with-66m-to-rebuild-workforce-identity-for-the-agentic-era-302799643.html