CIAM · Head-to-head
Auth0 vs WorkOS — CIAM and B2B SSO comparison
Auth0 is broad CIAM; WorkOS is purpose-built B2B Enterprise SSO + SCIM.
Verdict
Auth0 (Okta CIC) is the broadest CIAM platform — covers B2B, B2C, workforce CIC. WorkOS is purpose-built for B2B Enterprise SSO + SCIM + Directory Sync. For B2B SaaS products that primarily need to add Enterprise SSO + SCIM, WorkOS is simpler and cheaper. For consumer + B2B + complex requirements, Auth0 retains the broader feature surface.
When Auth0 (Okta CIC) wins
- B2B + B2C + workforce mixed scope
- Need broad Auth0 Actions / Rules / Hooks ecosystem
- Established compliance posture (HIPAA, FedRAMP Moderate)
- You need passwordless / social / database connections in one platform
When WorkOS wins
- B2B-only product
- Primary need is Enterprise SSO + SCIM for customer organizations
- You want simpler mental model and API surface
- Pricing predictability — WorkOS charges per-org, Auth0 per-MAU
Capability matrix
| Capability | Auth0 (Okta CIC) | WorkOS | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B Enterprise SSO | ✓ | ✓ | |
| B2B SCIM / Directory Sync | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Consumer-CIAM (social, passwordless) | ✓ | ~ | WorkOS AuthKit added consumer auth in 2024 |
| Workforce CIC | ✓ | ✗ | |
| Per-organization pricing | ✗ | ✓ | |
| Per-MAU pricing | ✓ | ✗ | |
| Compliance breadth (HIPAA, FedRAMP) | ✓ | ~ |
Pricing posture
Auth0 per-MAU, scales steeply at high MAU. WorkOS per-organization (more predictable for B2B SaaS).
Migration playbooks
Frequently asked
- Does WorkOS handle consumer auth?
- Yes via WorkOS AuthKit (2024+). Less mature than Auth0 for high-scale consumer scenarios.
- When does Auth0 still win?
- When the workload spans B2B + B2C + workforce CIC, and the Auth0 Actions ecosystem is genuinely needed.
- How disruptive is Auth0 → WorkOS migration?
- Significant. SDK is different, customer SAML configs must be re-imported. Plan 2-4 months for typical B2B SaaS.
Vendor profiles