# auth0-vs-workos

Source: https://startwithidentity.com/compare/auth0-vs-workos/
Last updated: 2026-07-24
License: content by Start with Identity. Cite the source URL.

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## The honest comparison

Auth0 and WorkOS are often shortlisted together by B2B SaaS teams, but they solve different scopes. Auth0 is a complete, developer-first identity platform covering authentication, MFA, passwordless, and both B2C and B2B (organizations, enterprise connections). WorkOS is narrower by design: enterprise-readiness building blocks (SSO, SCIM, audit logs, admin portal) meant to bolt onto an app that already handles its own login.

## When Auth0 wins

- You want one platform to own authentication end to end, not just the enterprise edges
- Breadth of protocols, SDKs, and extensibility (Actions) drives the decision
- You need both consumer (B2C) and B2B identity from the same product
- Mindshare, ecosystem, and a long track record matter to your buyers

## When WorkOS wins

- You already have authentication and only need enterprise SSO and SCIM
- You prefer lean, composable APIs and want to avoid a full platform migration
- SSO economics matter: paying per enterprise connection beats per-user tiers at high user counts
- The driver is a specific enterprise deal requiring SAML and directory sync now

## Pricing

Auth0 uses per-monthly-active-user tiers that escalate, with B2B and enterprise features in higher plans. WorkOS charges per enterprise connection from the first connection on a published volume ladder, with no free connection allowance, and prices its AuthKit login layer per monthly active user with the first million free ([WorkOS pricing](https://workos.com/pricing)), which is cheaper than per-user tiers when enterprise SSO is the only need and your user count is high. Model both with the [TCO calculator](https://startwithidentity.com/tools/tco-calculator/).

## Verdict

Choose [Auth0](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/ciam/auth0/) when you want a full identity platform and the broadest developer experience. Choose [WorkOS](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/ciam/workos/) when authentication is already solved and you need to add enterprise readiness cheaply and surgically. See [WorkOS vs Frontegg](https://startwithidentity.com/compare/workos-vs-frontegg/) and [Okta vs Auth0](https://startwithidentity.com/compare/okta-vs-auth0/) for adjacent decisions.