Okta Pricing: A Buyer’s Guide For 2024

Okta’s initial cost is low, but other expenses include implementation, training, and maintenance. It's important to consider all these costs to make a smart decision, even though it can be tricky. This blog post explains Okta pricing and services, helping businesses make informed decisions.

Okta, a leading identity cloud platform, often leaves businesses puzzled about its pricing structure, which can be perceived as complex and unclear. This complexity can cause frustration, especially for companies trying to balance security needs with budget constraints. By breaking down Okta's pricing into its core components, businesses can better understand how to optimize their investment without compromising on essential security features. This clarity helps organizations make informed decisions, ensuring they get the best value for their money while maintaining robust identity management solutions.

Key Components Of Okta Pricing Pan

Choosing the right solution for your business requires a clear understanding of its pricing structure. When exploring Okta for your operational needs, it's essential to grasp the key components that influence its pricing plans. These components include user licenses, tiered options, different buyer plans, and additional features and add-ons.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

User Licenses and Tiers

Okta Workforce Identity

• Designed for employees, contractors, and business partners.
• Requires a minimum contract of $1,500 per year, with discounts available for large enterprises.
• Offers up to 11 different pricing plans, each tailored to specific needs. Let’s explore each:
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Provides a quick and sleek sign-in experience with features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), ThreatInsight, desktop and mobile SSO, RADIUS authentication, Custom org URLs, and SIEM integration.

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra security layer with features like Okta ThreatInsight, Security Questions, Okta FastPass, Okta Verify OTP, Okta Verify Push, SMS, biometric factors, and Specified IP zones.

• Universal Directory: Helps manage user profiles and access with features like a Cloud directory, Private Workspaces, Unlimited directory integrations (AD/LDAP & apps), Custom user attributes and fields, Custom mapping and transformation, and Cloud-based LDAP authentication.

• Lifecycle Management: Automates provisioning with app and directory integrations, IT authorization features, reports, Universal Directory, and HR provisioning apps like Workday, Salesforce, and GSuite.

• Advanced Server Access: Provides access to apps’ back-end servers without re-signing each time, with support for multiple environments, Linux and Windows end-to-end lifecycle management, and built-in SSO and MFA authentication on SSH and RDP workflows.

• Okta Privileged Access: Provides secure management and monitoring of your organization's privileged accounts and access rights, ensuring stringent control and protection against cyber threats.

• Workflows: Automates and streamlines processes across your organization, ensuring efficient task management and compliance with customizable workflows.

• Identity Governance: Manages and governs user access rights across systems and applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and reducing security risks associated with unauthorized access.

• API Access Management: Simplifies and secures API interactions by providing identity and access management capabilities. It enables organizations to control who can access APIs, manage API authentication and authorization, and monitor API usage.

• Device Access: Enables secure and seamless access to applications and resources from any device. It enhances security through device trust, ensuring that only trusted devices can access sensitive data.

• Access Gateway: Okta Access Gateway extends Okta's identity and access management capabilities to on-premises applications and resources. It provides secure access through single sign-on (SSO) and adaptive authentication, ensuring consistent security across cloud and on-premises environments.

• Note: As shown in the screenshot, each offering comes with a unique set of features included. Therefore, the pricing for all these plans differs based on the features they offer. For more details, contact Okta's team.

Okta Customer Identity

• Tailored for customer-facing applications.
• Offers B2C and B2B plans, each with two tiers: Essential and Professional.
• B2C Plans

• Essential: Best for small projects and apps, supporting up to 10,000 External MAUs, Unlimited Social Connections, Custom Domains, User Role Management, and 5 Actions.
• Professional: Suitable for enhanced security needs, with features from the Essential tier plus Pro MFA, External Databases, Admin Roles, Consolidated User Stores, and M2M Add-ons.
• B2B Plans

• Essential: Supports up to 7,000 External MAUs, User Role Management, 5 Actions, Pro MFA, M2M Add-ons, Unlimited Okta Connections, 3 Enterprise Connections, and 50 Organizations.
• Professional: Includes features from the Essential tier with added support for External Databases, Admin Roles, M2M Add-ons, and 100 Organizations.

Enterprise Plans

• Designed for large businesses aiming to scale.
• Customizable number of connections and tiers, Unlimited Okta Connections, Unlimited Admin Roles and Actions, Advanced Deployment Options, 99.99% SLA, and Enterprise Support.

Add-ons like Attack Protection, Enterprise MFA, Adaptive MFA, Private Cloud, Premier Success Plans, and HIPAA BAA & PCI are available.

Additional Features and Add-ons

Okta’s pricing can be influenced by various additional features and add-ons, which provide enhanced security and management capabilities. Some of these optional features include:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adaptive MFA pricing ranges from $17,700 to $29,200 for 200 users, up to $133,900 to $264,700 for larger teams, with per-user monthly rates between $3 and $6.
• Lifecycle Management: Priced at $4 per month per user, this feature is crucial for automating user provisioning and deprovisioning.
• API Access Management: Pricing ranges from $11,000 to $22,400 for 200 users and up to $35,900 to $72,800 for larger teams.
• Advanced Server Access: This service provides secure, seamless access to back-end servers, and pricing is dependent on the organization's specific needs.

Understanding these components will help you select the right Okta pricing plan to meet your organization’s needs while effectively managing costs.

Customer Support Options For Okta Pricing Plans

Okta offers a comprehensive, 3-tiered customer support system designed to cater to the varying needs of its users.

Here’s a detailed look at what each tier provides:

1. Basic Support
   • Community Support: Users can access community-driven support to interact with other Okta users, share experiences, and find solutions to common problems.
   • 24/5 Customer Support: This tier includes around-the-clock support during the workweek. Users can reach customer support agents via multiple channels, including live chat, ticket submissions, phone, and email. This ensures that users can get help promptly during business hours.
   • Help Center Access: The Help Center is a valuable resource containing a wide range of helpful content. Users can find guides, tutorials, and articles that address common issues and provide step-by-step instructions for using Okta’s features.
   • Knowledge Base: This section includes questions, suggestions, and issues resolved by other users. It’s an excellent resource for finding answers to specific problems and learning from the experiences of others.
   • Community: The Okta Community is a platform where users can discuss various topics, ask questions, and share best practices. It fosters a collaborative environment where users can learn from each other.
   • FAQs Page: A dedicated FAQs page answers the most commonly asked questions, providing quick and easy access to important information.
2. Standard Support
   • Enhanced Availability: Standard support builds on basic support by offering enhanced availability and faster response times. Users in this tier can expect more immediate assistance for their issues.
   • Proactive Monitoring: Okta provides proactive monitoring of its services, identifying potential issues before they affect the user’s experience. This helps minimize downtime and ensure smoother operations.
   • Training and Onboarding: Users receive additional training resources and onboarding assistance to help them get the most out of Okta’s features. This includes webinars, training sessions, and personalized onboarding support.
3. Premium Support
   • 24/7 Support: Premium support offers around-the-clock assistance, including weekends and holidays. This is crucial for organizations that operate outside regular business hours or have critical operations that require immediate attention at any time.
   • Dedicated Account Manager: Users have access to a dedicated account manager who serves as a single point of contact for all support-related needs. This personalized service ensures that issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.
   • Priority Response Times: Premium users benefit from priority response times, meaning their issues are addressed before those of users in lower support tiers. This ensures faster resolution of critical problems.
   • Custom Support Plans: Okta works with premium users to develop custom support plans tailored to their specific needs and business requirements. These plans include regular check-ins, performance reviews, and customized training sessions.Overall, Okta’s 3-tiered customer support system is designed to provide users with the level of assistance they need, whether they are looking for basic support or require more comprehensive, round-the-clock service. The various support options ensure that all users can access the help they need to effectively use Okta’s identity and access management solutions.

Does Okta Have Hidden SSO TAX?

When using Okta, there are multiple hidden costs to consider. One significant hidden cost is the \"SSO tax,\" where some SaaS vendors charge a premium to connect a third-party Single Sign-On (SSO) provider. Additionally, the time and complexity involved in setting up and maintaining Okta’s features can add to the overall cost.

To illustrate the true cost of Okta, let’s look at a fictional case study of a company X.

Suppose X uses a SaaS tool that costs $10 per user per month. If the vendor charges an additional $4 per user per month to use your SSO provider, you end up paying an SSO tax of 40%. When you multiply this by the number of SaaS tools and then by the number of users in your organization, the costs can quickly add up.

It’s also important to mention that the SSO tax can range from 15% to 6,000%. Although 6,000% is on the extreme end, it’s not uncommon to see at least a 100% increase from the original price.

In addition to the SSO tax, some vendors offer SSO and SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) only with their more expensive enterprise plans, effectively locking you into higher-priced subscriptions.

Furthermore, using SCIM with Okta requires purchasing the Lifecycle Management product for $4 per month per user, which is crucial for organizations that want to automate user provisioning and deprovisioning.

Aside from monetary costs, there are non-monetary costs associated with using Okta, such as increased complexity in provisioning and deprovisioning processes and the sunk cost fallacy. These factors can add to the overall burden of managing identity and access management solutions.

How Can You Get The Right Okta Pricing Plan?

Selecting the appropriate Okta pricing plan involves considering several key factors to ensure it aligns with your organization's needs and budget. Here are a few steps to help you choose the right plan:

1. Users: Determine who will be using Okta services. Okta Workforce is tailored for employees, contractors, and business partners, providing secure access and streamlined login processes. On the other hand, Okta Customer is designed for customers who use your product (app/software), offering a seamless and secure user experience.
2. Budget: Assess your budget allocation for identity management solutions. If your business has a limited budget, the B2C Essentials plan is a cost-effective choice, providing essential features for small to medium-sized enterprises. For large-sized enterprises with more complex needs, the Enterprise plan offers customizable features and pricing, making it suitable for extensive and diverse requirements.
3. Team Size: Consider the size of your business. The B2C Essentials plan is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, offering necessary functionalities at a reasonable cost. Corporations or larger enterprises might find the Enterprise plan more suitable due to its scalability and comprehensive feature set.
4. Business Needs: Identify what you aim to achieve with Okta. If your goal is to streamline and secure your business operations, Okta Workforce will meet your needs. If you need to add authentication and authorization to your app, Okta Customer will provide the necessary tools to enhance user experience and security.

By evaluating these factors—users, budget, team size, and business needs—you can select the Okta pricing plan that best fits your organization, ensuring you maximize the benefits of Okta’s identity and access management solutions.

Key Takeaways: The Right Okta Pricing Plan

In this blog, we explored the details of Okta pricing, examining how it is influenced by factors such as user count, selected products and features, and subscription duration. We delved into the various pricing tiers available, discussed options for customizing subscriptions to fit specific business needs, and highlighted opportunities like free trials and discounts.

Selecting the optimal Okta pricing plan requires a thoughtful evaluation of your organization’s unique requirements. Consider the scale of user access needed, the essential security and compliance features, and your financial parameters. Use Okta’s free trial to assess functionalities and ensure they align with your operational goals.

For tailored advice and potential cost savings, reach out to Okta’s sales team. They can provide customized quotes and discuss discounts for long-term commitments or nonprofit organizations. By carefully weighing these factors, you can confidently select an Okta pricing plan that meets your needs and maximizes the value and support for your business objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a free trial available for Okta?

Yes, Okta typically offers a free trial period for potential customers to explore its features and determine if it meets their needs.

Can I customize my Okta subscription?

Yes, Okta allows you to customize your subscription by selecting only the features and services relevant to your business, which can help you manage costs.

How does Okta pricing compare to other identity management solutions?

Okta's pricing is competitive within the identity and access management market. The total cost will depend on your specific requirements and the features you choose.

Are there discounts available for long-term contracts?

Yes, Okta often provides discounts for customers who commit to longer-term contracts, such as annual or multi-year agreements.

What payment methods does Okta accept?

Okta accepts various payment methods, including credit cards and invoicing for larger enterprise customers. Specific payment terms can be discussed with their sales team.

Is support included in the Okta pricing?

Basic support is typically included in the subscription cost, but Okta also offers premium support packages at an additional cost for enhanced service levels.

Can I change my subscription plan later?

Yes, Okta allows customers to upgrade or modify their subscription plans as their business needs change. It's advisable to discuss these options with Okta's support or sales team.