WorkOS
Enterprise-readiness platform: SSO, SCIM, audit logs, directory sync. Built for SaaS shipping enterprise plans. Pay-per-connection pricing.
What is WorkOS?
WorkOS is an authentication / identity platform — software that handles user sign-in, sessions, password/MFA management, and (often) SSO + SCIM for enterprise customers.
Enterprise-readiness platform: SSO, SCIM, audit logs, directory sync. Built for SaaS shipping enterprise plans. Pay-per-connection pricing.
What to look for in auth
The questions you should ask before committing to WorkOS or any alternative.
- Time-to-first-sign-in from npm install
- Free-tier MAU ceiling — does it survive launch traffic?
- SAML SSO + SCIM directory sync (mandatory if you sell enterprise plans)
- Bring-your-own-database vs vendor-hosted user table
- Session-security defaults: refresh-token rotation, CSRF, cookie flags
- Audit-log retention and exportability
WorkOS cost at scale
Modelled monthly cost as you grow. Estimates only — final pricing varies on plan discounts, volume tiers, and any negotiated enterprise SKU. Monthly active users is the axis we vary.
Forex assumed at ₹85/USD. Actual cost includes 2–3.5% forex markup unless paying with a low-fx card.
WorkOS is great for
SaaS companies that want to skip building auth and still pass a SOC 2 audit; B2B teams with enterprise plans needing SSO/SCIM.
Probably not ideal if
Apps where auth IS the product (build it yourself) or stacks where Supabase/Firebase auth is sufficient (auth comes free with the database).
WorkOS appears in 1 curated stack
Browse all stacksHand-picked tool bundles that include WorkOS. Each stack is opinionated about when this tool is the right pick, with monthly burn estimates and tradeoffs.
Alternatives to WorkOS
Other tools in the auth category we cover.
Clerk
Drop-in auth + user management for Next.js, React, Remix. Free up to 10K MAUs. The ergonomic choice when you do not want to build sign-in/up flows yourself.
Auth0
Okta-owned identity platform. Enterprise-grade SSO, MFA, RBAC. The default when you need SAML/SCIM and an audit trail your customer's security team will sign off.
Stytch
Passwordless auth — magic links, OTP, biometrics, session management. Generous free tier; usage-based scaling. Stronger consumer-app fit than Clerk for high-MAU.
WorkOS head-to-head
See all WorkOS alternatives →Side-by-side comparisons with the obvious alternatives.
Track WorkOS in your stack
Add WorkOS to your free MatchYourSaaS tracker — we email you 30/7/1 days before every renewal, with the cheaper alternative ready to compare.
Add to trackerFAQ
›What does WorkOS cost?
Entry plan starts around $125 per user per month. Annual plans typically discount 15-20%. WorkOS bills in USD; Indian businesses incur ~3.5% forex markup unless paying with a forex-friendly card (see below).
›Who is WorkOS a good fit for?
SaaS companies that want to skip building auth and still pass a SOC 2 audit; B2B teams with enterprise plans needing SSO/SCIM.
›Who should NOT use WorkOS?
Apps where auth IS the product (build it yourself) or stacks where Supabase/Firebase auth is sufficient (auth comes free with the database).
›Are there cheaper alternatives to WorkOS?
Yes — popular auth alternatives include Clerk, Auth0, Stytch. Compare them side-by-side via the head-to-head comparisons we maintain.
Pay for WorkOS with the right card
Picking WorkOS is half the decision. The other half is the card you swipe — at $125/mo the right pick recovers 1.5–4% in forex savings + rewards compared to a default retail card.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors
No-fx US card — pay USD with USD, zero markup; 3% rewards on auth spend
IDFC FIRST Wow
0% forex markup vs 3.5% on retail Indian cards
ICICI MMT Signature
1.5% rewards on auth spend