Top 8 SSO Solutions for SMBs

Single sign-on is not just for enterprises anymore. Small and mid-size businesses face the same identity challenges as large organizations — employees juggling dozens of SaaS application passwords, IT teams struggling with manual user provisioning, and the constant security risk of weak or reused credentials. The difference is that SMBs must solve these problems with smaller budgets, leaner IT teams, and less tolerance for deployment complexity.

The good news is that the SSO market has expanded dramatically to serve the SMB segment. What was once a $10+/user/month enterprise luxury is now available for $2–$7/user/month from platforms designed specifically for smaller organizations. Many solutions bundle SSO with related capabilities — directory services, device management, HR integration — creating comprehensive identity platforms that replace multiple point tools.

For SMBs, the ideal SSO solution balances three things: affordability (per-user costs that make sense for 50–5,000 users), simplicity (deployment and management without dedicated identity engineers), and breadth (covering the specific SaaS applications your team uses daily). This guide evaluates the eight best SSO solutions for small and mid-size businesses, helping you find the right balance for your organization.

Evaluation Criteria

We assessed each solution against SMB-specific requirements:

• Ease of deployment — Time from purchase to functional SSO for a non-specialist IT team
• Application coverage — Pre-built integrations for common SMB SaaS apps
• MFA included — Whether multi-factor authentication is bundled or an add-on
• User lifecycle — Automated provisioning/deprovisioning from HR systems or directories
• Self-service — Password reset, app requests, profile management for end users
• Pricing — Total cost at 50, 200, and 1,000 user counts
• Support quality — Responsiveness and helpfulness for organizations without IAM expertise
• Growth path — Ability to scale as the organization grows from SMB to mid-market

The Top 8 SSO Solutions for SMBs

1. JumpCloud

Best For: SMBs wanting an all-in-one directory, SSO, device management, and MFA platform that replaces Active Directory.

Overview

JumpCloud is the most comprehensive identity platform designed for SMBs. It replaces the traditional on-premises Active Directory with a cloud-native directory that manages users, groups, devices, and applications from a single console. SSO is just one component — JumpCloud also provides cross-platform device management (Windows, macOS, Linux), MFA, conditional access, RADIUS for Wi-Fi authentication, and patch management. For SMBs that never built an on-premises AD infrastructure (or want to decommission it), JumpCloud provides everything needed in one subscription.

JumpCloud's free tier (up to 10 users and 10 devices) is genuinely useful for very small teams, and the platform scales cleanly as organizations grow. The SSO application catalog includes 1,500+ pre-built integrations, covering the SaaS applications that SMBs use most frequently — Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, HubSpot, AWS, and hundreds more.

Key Features

• Cloud directory replacing Active Directory and LDAP
• SSO with 1,500+ SAML and OIDC pre-built integrations
• Cross-platform device management (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
• MFA with push notification, TOTP, and WebAuthn support
• Conditional Access policies based on device, location, and user risk
• RADIUS-as-a-Service for Wi-Fi and VPN authentication
• Patch management for OS and third-party software
• User lifecycle management with HR system integrations

Pricing Free: up to 10 users and 10 devices. JumpCloud Platform: $7/user/month (directory + SSO + MFA). Platform Plus: $11/user/month (adds device management). Full Platform: $15/user/month (all features including patch management). A la carte: SSO only at $3/user/month, Device Management at $7/device/month. 15% discount for annual billing. For a 200-user SMB, Platform Plus costs approximately $2,200/month.

Pros

• All-in-one platform eliminates multiple vendor subscriptions
• Free tier for up to 10 users is genuinely functional
• Cross-platform device management is rare in this price range
• Replaces Active Directory without on-premises infrastructure

Cons

• SSO application catalog is smaller than Okta's (1,500 vs 7,500)
• Advanced identity governance features are limited
• Per-user pricing adds up when bundling all features
• Not designed for enterprises above 10,000 users

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2. OneLogin

Best For: Mid-size businesses wanting a focused, cost-effective workforce SSO and MFA platform with clean administration.

Overview

OneLogin provides a straightforward workforce SSO and MFA platform that hits the sweet spot for mid-size businesses — more capable than basic solutions but simpler and more affordable than full enterprise IAM platforms. OneLogin's SSO portal provides access to 6,000+ pre-integrated applications, and its SmartFactor Authentication uses machine learning to evaluate login risk and adjust MFA requirements dynamically. The platform's administrative console is widely praised for its clarity and ease of use — an important factor for SMBs where the IT generalist managing identity is also managing networking, helpdesk, and procurement.

OneLogin's user lifecycle management automates provisioning and deprovisioning through integrations with HR systems (BambooHR, Namely, Workday) and directories (Active Directory, Google Workspace, LDAP). For SMBs experiencing rapid growth, automating the onboarding and offboarding process prevents the security gaps that manual user management inevitably creates.

Key Features

• SSO portal with 6,000+ pre-integrated SAML and OIDC applications
• SmartFactor Authentication with ML-based risk scoring
• OneLogin Desktop for Windows and macOS device-level SSO
• User lifecycle management with HR system integrations
• Real-time Active Directory and LDAP synchronization
• Delegated administration with customizable roles
• RADIUS for VPN and network authentication
• Compliance reporting for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA

Pricing Advanced: $4/user/month (SSO, advanced directory, custom branding). Professional: $8/user/month (SmartFactor Authentication, lifecycle management, HR provisioning). Add-ons: Desktop SSO $2/user/month, RADIUS $2/user/month. Volume discounts at 500+ users. For a 200-user SMB, Professional costs approximately $1,600/month.

Pros

• 6,000+ app integrations cover most SMB SaaS needs
• Clean, intuitive admin console reduces management overhead
• SmartFactor ML-based risk scoring is sophisticated for the price
• 30-day average deployment time is fast

Cons

• Governance capabilities are lighter than enterprise platforms
• Owned by One Identity — parent company strategy can cause confusion
• Smaller partner and consulting ecosystem than Okta
• Advanced features like Desktop SSO are paid add-ons

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3. Okta

Best For: Growing SMBs that want an enterprise-grade SSO platform they will not outgrow.

Overview

Okta is the market leader in cloud IAM, and while it is typically associated with enterprise deployments, its modular pricing makes it accessible for well-funded SMBs that want to start with a platform they will never outgrow. Okta's SSO provides access to the largest integration catalog in the industry (7,500+ applications via the Okta Integration Network), and its modular architecture lets SMBs start with SSO and MFA and add lifecycle management, governance, and advanced security features as they grow.

For SMBs planning rapid growth — particularly those backed by venture capital or in regulated industries — starting with Okta avoids the pain of migrating to an enterprise platform later. The trade-off is higher per-user costs compared to SMB-focused alternatives, and a platform that may feel more complex than an SMB IT team needs initially.

Key Features

• 7,500+ pre-built integrations via the Okta Integration Network (OIN)
• Adaptive MFA with device trust and risk-based policies
• Okta FastPass for passwordless authentication
• Lifecycle Management with automated provisioning and deprovisioning
• Okta Workflows for no-code identity automation
• Universal Directory with real-time synchronization
• Advanced Server Access for SSH and RDP
• Comprehensive reporting and audit logging

Pricing SSO: $2/user/month. Adaptive MFA: $3/user/month. Lifecycle Management: $4/user/month. A typical SMB bundle (SSO + MFA): $5/user/month. Full Workforce Identity Cloud: $8–$15/user/month. Minimum contract requirements may apply. For a 200-user SMB with SSO + MFA, costs approximately $1,000/month.

Pros

• Largest integration ecosystem — virtually any SaaS app is covered
• Enterprise-grade platform that scales from 50 to 500,000 users
• Strong security posture with 99.99% SLA
• Modular pricing allows starting small and growing

Cons

• More expensive than SMB-focused alternatives
• Platform complexity may overwhelm small IT teams initially
• Full value requires stacking multiple SKUs
• Sales process is enterprise-oriented — less attention to small deals

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4. Rippling

Best For: SMBs wanting SSO deeply integrated with HR, payroll, and IT device management in a single platform.

Overview

Rippling takes a fundamentally different approach to SSO by embedding it within a unified HR and IT platform. Rather than being a standalone identity tool, Rippling's SSO is part of a platform that also manages payroll, benefits, HR workflows, device management, and app provisioning. When you hire an employee in Rippling, they are automatically provisioned in all their SaaS applications, enrolled in SSO, assigned a managed device, and added to the correct access groups — all triggered by the HR event.

This HR-driven approach is compelling for SMBs because it eliminates the integration gap between HR systems and IT systems that larger organizations solve with complex middleware. For a 200-person company, having one platform that handles "I hired someone" through to "they can log into everything and have a configured laptop" is transformational for operational efficiency.

Key Features

• SSO as part of a unified HR, payroll, and IT platform
• HR-triggered automatic provisioning and deprovisioning
• 600+ pre-built app integrations for SSO and provisioning
• Device management (macOS and Windows) integrated with identity
• Custom access policies based on role, department, and location
• Password manager integration for apps without SAML/OIDC support
• Automated offboarding with device lock and app deprovisioning
• Reporting across HR, IT, and identity in a unified console

Pricing Rippling Platform: $8/user/month base. SSO module: included in the IT Cloud. IT Cloud (SSO + device management + app management): $8/user/month add-on. Full platform (HR + IT + Finance): approximately $20–$35/user/month depending on modules. For SSO and device management for 200 users: approximately $3,200/month (platform + IT Cloud). Annual contracts are standard.

Pros

• HR-driven provisioning eliminates manual IT onboarding
• Unified platform reduces vendor count and integration complexity
• Automatic offboarding closes security gaps immediately
• Clean, modern interface designed for non-technical HR and IT users

Cons

• SSO requires buying into the broader Rippling platform
• 600 app integrations is smaller than Okta (7,500) or OneLogin (6,000)
• More expensive than dedicated SSO tools when you only need SSO
• Platform depth means vendor dependency on Rippling for critical HR functions

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5. Google Workspace (Cloud Identity)

Best For: Google-first SMBs that already use Google Workspace and need SSO for additional third-party applications.

Overview

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) includes SSO capabilities that let administrators provide single sign-on access to third-party SAML and OIDC applications using Google credentials. For the millions of SMBs already using Google Workspace for email, docs, and collaboration, this means SSO is already available at no additional cost — employees can sign into Salesforce, Slack, Zoom, and hundreds of other applications using their Google Workspace account.

Google Cloud Identity (the standalone identity product) extends this further with advanced device management, context-aware access (conditional access), and BeyondCorp Enterprise integration. For SMBs committed to the Google ecosystem, this path provides SSO, device management, and zero-trust capabilities without a third-party identity vendor.

Key Features

• SSO for third-party SAML and OIDC applications via Google credentials
• Pre-integrated SSO catalog with popular SaaS applications
• Context-aware access for conditional access policies (Cloud Identity Premium)
• Device management for Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Windows, and macOS
• Google Groups for role-based application access management
• Two-step verification with security key support
• Admin console for centralized user and application management
• BeyondCorp Enterprise for zero-trust access (Premium)

Pricing Google Workspace Business Starter: $7.20/user/month (basic SSO included). Business Standard: $14.40/user/month. Business Plus: $18/user/month (advanced device management, context-aware access). Cloud Identity Free: basic identity for non-Workspace users. Cloud Identity Premium: $7.20/user/month standalone. For a 200-user SMB on Business Standard with SSO: approximately $2,880/month (includes all Workspace productivity tools).

Pros

• SSO included with Google Workspace — no additional identity vendor needed
• Familiar Google account experience for end users
• Context-aware access provides adaptive security
• Extremely cost-effective for existing Google Workspace customers

Cons

• SSO app catalog is smaller than dedicated identity platforms
• SSO administration is a subset of the broader Google Admin Console — not purpose-built
• MFA options are limited compared to Duo or Okta
• Best value requires full Google Workspace commitment

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6. Microsoft Entra ID (with Microsoft 365)

Best For: Microsoft-centric SMBs that already use Microsoft 365 and need SSO with conditional access.

Overview

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is included with every Microsoft 365 subscription, providing SSO, conditional access, and MFA at no additional identity-specific cost. For SMBs using Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Enterprise plans, Entra ID's SSO capabilities are immediately available — employees can access thousands of third-party applications using their Microsoft 365 credentials, with conditional access policies enforcing security requirements based on device, location, and risk.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22/user/month) is particularly compelling for SMBs because it bundles Entra ID P1, Intune device management, Defender for Business, and the full Office productivity suite. This makes it one of the most cost-effective ways for an SMB to get enterprise-grade SSO, MFA, conditional access, and device management without separate vendor subscriptions.

Key Features

• SSO with pre-integrated gallery of 3,500+ applications
• Conditional Access policies based on device, location, risk, and app sensitivity
• Microsoft Authenticator with number matching and push notifications
• Self-service password reset to reduce helpdesk burden
• Automatic user provisioning via SCIM for supported applications
• Entra ID P1 included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Microsoft Intune for device management and compliance
• Security Defaults for baseline MFA enforcement

Pricing Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6/user/month (Entra ID Free — Security Defaults MFA only). Business Standard: $12.50/user/month (Entra ID Free). Business Premium: $22/user/month (Entra ID P1 — Conditional Access, self-service password reset). Entra ID P1 standalone: $6/user/month. Entra ID P2: $9/user/month (adds Identity Protection, PIM). For a 200-user SMB on Business Premium: approximately $4,400/month (includes full Office suite, device management, and SSO).

Pros

• SSO and advanced identity included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions
• Conditional Access is enterprise-grade and included in Business Premium
• Microsoft Authenticator MFA is free and effective
• Scales from SMB to enterprise without platform migration

Cons

• Full value requires Microsoft 365 ecosystem commitment
• Admin experience spans multiple portals (Entra, Intune, M365 Admin)
• SSO app gallery (3,500) is smaller than Okta OIN (7,500)
• Complexity of Microsoft licensing can be confusing for SMB IT teams

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7. Duo (SSO Edition)

Best For: SMBs that prioritize security and want best-in-class MFA with integrated SSO.

Overview

Duo is best known for MFA, but its SSO capabilities have matured significantly. Duo SSO provides a hosted SAML and OIDC identity provider that fronts your existing directory (Active Directory, Entra ID, or Duo's own directory) with Duo's MFA and device trust policies. For SMBs that prioritize security — particularly those in regulated industries or those that have experienced security incidents — Duo provides the strongest MFA in the market with integrated SSO that is simple to deploy.

Duo's device trust is particularly valuable for SMBs implementing zero-trust principles. Duo checks the security posture of the device at login time — OS version, encryption status, screen lock, and whether the device is managed — and can block access from non-compliant devices. This is a powerful security control that most SMB-priced SSO solutions do not offer at the same depth.

Key Features

• Duo SSO as a hosted SAML/OIDC identity provider
• Duo Push MFA with number matching (Verified Push)
• Device trust assessment at every authentication
• Integration with Active Directory, Entra ID, and LDAP directories
• Duo Central for end-user application portal
• Self-service device management for MFA enrollment
• Duo Device Health for endpoint security posture verification
• Duo Trust Monitor for anomaly detection

Pricing Duo Essentials: $3/user/month (MFA + SSO for 1 application + device insight). Duo Advantage: $6/user/month (adaptive MFA + full SSO + device health + VPN-less access). Duo Premier: $9/user/month (trusted endpoints + Trust Monitor + full device trust). Free tier for up to 10 users. For a 200-user SMB on Advantage: approximately $1,200/month.

Pros

• Industry-leading MFA with integrated SSO
• Device trust provides meaningful zero-trust security
• Simple deployment — typically days, not weeks
• Free tier for up to 10 users for evaluation

Cons

• SSO application catalog is smaller than Okta or OneLogin
• Requires an external directory (AD, Entra, LDAP) — no standalone directory
• Not a full identity platform — no lifecycle management or governance
• Per-user pricing at Premier tier rivals more feature-rich platforms

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8. miniOrange

Best For: Budget-conscious SMBs needing SSO with broad application support and on-premises deployment options.

Overview

miniOrange provides affordable SSO, MFA, and user provisioning for SMBs, with a particular focus on flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The platform supports SSO via SAML, OIDC, OAuth, JWT, and even header-based authentication — covering a wider range of integration patterns than many competitors. miniOrange also offers pre-built SSO plugins for specific platforms like WordPress, Jira, Confluence, Shopify, and Drupal, making it easy to add SSO to applications that do not natively support it.

For SMBs with legacy or niche applications that lack standard SSO protocol support, miniOrange's proxy-based SSO and header-based authentication fill a gap that other platforms cannot. The platform is available as both a cloud service and an on-premises deployment — relevant for SMBs in industries with data residency requirements.

Key Features

• SSO via SAML, OIDC, OAuth, JWT, and header-based authentication
• Pre-built SSO plugins for WordPress, Jira, Confluence, Shopify, Drupal
• Proxy-based SSO for applications without native federation support
• MFA with 15+ methods (TOTP, push, SMS, email, security key, biometric)
• User provisioning via SCIM and custom connectors
• On-premises deployment option for data residency requirements
• Custom branding for login pages and user portal
• Adaptive authentication based on IP, device, and location

Pricing miniOrange SSO Standard: $2/user/month (SSO with SAML/OIDC, up to 3 apps). Premium: $4/user/month (unlimited apps, MFA, provisioning). Enterprise: custom pricing. Platform-specific plugins (WordPress, Jira): $99–$499/year per plugin. On-premises licensing: custom pricing. For a 200-user SMB on Premium: approximately $800/month — the most affordable option on this list.

Pros

• Most affordable SSO option for SMBs
• Broadest protocol support including header-based and proxy-based SSO
• Platform-specific plugins for WordPress, Jira, Confluence, and more
• On-premises deployment available for data residency

Cons

• Smaller brand recognition and market presence
• Admin interface is less polished than JumpCloud or Okta
• Community and third-party resources are limited
• Support quality may vary for complex deployment scenarios

Comparison Matrix

| Solution | SSO Apps | MFA Included | Device Mgmt | Directory | User Lifecycle | Price (200 users/mo) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | JumpCloud | 1,500+ | Yes | Yes | Cloud native | Yes | $2,200 | | OneLogin | 6,000+ | Paid (SmartFactor) | Desktop only | Sync | Yes | $1,600 | | Okta | 7,500+ | Paid add-on | Server access | Universal | Paid add-on | $1,000 (SSO+MFA) | | Rippling | 600+ | Yes | Yes | HR-driven | Yes (HR) | $3,200 | | Google Workspace | 500+ | Yes | Yes | Google | Basic | $2,880* | | Microsoft Entra | 3,500+ | Yes | Via Intune | Entra ID | Yes | $4,400* | | Duo | 500+ | Excellent | Yes (trust) | External | No | $1,200 | | miniOrange | 5,000+ | Yes | No | Sync | Basic | $800 |

*Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 prices include the full productivity suite, not just SSO.

How to Choose

If you want an all-in-one platform replacing AD, MDM, and SSO, JumpCloud provides the most comprehensive bundle for SMBs.

If you already use Google Workspace, enable Google SSO first — it is included in your subscription. Add Google Cloud Identity Premium only if you need conditional access.

If you already use Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Entra ID P1 is included. Start there before evaluating third-party SSO.

If your primary concern is security, Duo provides the best MFA with integrated SSO and device trust at a reasonable price.

If budget is the top constraint, miniOrange offers the most affordable per-user pricing with surprisingly broad capabilities.

If you want HR-driven identity management, Rippling's unified HR + IT approach automates onboarding and offboarding better than any standalone SSO tool.

If you are growing rapidly and want to avoid migration, start with Okta. The higher cost buys you a platform you will not outgrow.

If you want the best balance of features and simplicity, OneLogin provides a focused, well-designed SSO platform at mid-range pricing.

Conclusion

SSO for SMBs has never been more accessible or affordable. The days when single sign-on required a $100,000 enterprise IAM project are over. For as little as $2–$4/user/month, SMBs can provide employees with one-click access to all their applications, eliminate password fatigue, and close the security gaps that manual access management creates.

The most important decision is whether you need a dedicated identity tool or an integrated platform. Dedicated SSO tools (Okta, OneLogin, Duo, miniOrange) provide deeper identity capabilities. Integrated platforms (JumpCloud, Rippling, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) bundle SSO with other critical functions at better overall value.

For most SMBs, the right starting point is the ecosystem they already have. Google shops should start with Google SSO. Microsoft shops should start with Entra ID. Organizations without a dominant ecosystem should evaluate JumpCloud for all-in-one simplicity or Okta for best-of-breed identity.

FAQs

What is the minimum number of users where SSO makes sense? SSO provides value at any size. Even a 10-person team benefits from centralized access management and the ability to immediately revoke access when someone leaves. JumpCloud and Duo offer free tiers for up to 10 users. The cost-benefit math becomes compelling at 25+ users, where manual account management becomes time-consuming and error-prone.

Can I use SSO with applications that do not support SAML or OIDC? Some platforms offer workarounds. miniOrange provides proxy-based SSO and header-based authentication for legacy apps. JumpCloud offers password vaulting for apps without SSO support. Okta provides Secure Web Authentication (SWA) for form-filling on non-federated apps. These workarounds are less secure than native federation but better than employees managing passwords independently.

How long does SSO deployment take for an SMB? Most cloud-based SSO platforms can be deployed in 1–2 weeks for an SMB. The primary effort is configuring SSO connections for each application, which takes 15–60 minutes per application for SAML/OIDC apps. A 200-user SMB with 20 SaaS applications can typically be fully deployed in 5–10 business days.

Do I still need MFA if I have SSO? Absolutely. SSO centralizes authentication, which means the SSO login becomes a single point of compromise — if an attacker gets the SSO password, they get access to everything. MFA on the SSO login is essential. Most platforms on this list include or offer MFA. Never deploy SSO without MFA.

What happens to SSO if my identity provider goes down? If your SSO provider experiences an outage, users cannot authenticate to any SSO-protected application. Mitigation strategies include: choosing a provider with strong SLA (Okta: 99.99%, Microsoft: 99.99%), configuring emergency access accounts that bypass SSO, and maintaining break-glass procedures for critical applications. Most leading platforms experience less than 30 minutes of downtime per year.

Can SSO help with compliance requirements? Yes. SSO centralizes authentication, providing a single audit log of who accessed what and when. This simplifies SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS compliance by demonstrating centralized access control, MFA enforcement, and automated deprovisioning. Many auditors specifically look for SSO as evidence of access management maturity.