Ava AbbottOkta is a software company based in San Francisco, California, specializing in identity and access management (IAM). The company was founded in 2009 by Frederic Kerrest and Todd McKinnon. Okta’s cloud-based software helps companies secure and manage user authentication.
Developers can also use Okta’s solutions to integrate identity controls into websites, apps, and web services. In 2021, Okta’s full-year revenue increased by 56% to $1.3 billion. The company has around 3,850 employees and serves 15,000 customers globally. [1]
Okta offers an easy-to-use application to help organizations resolve database security issues. Its cloud-based software allows users to log into multiple systems from a single centralized platform.
In 2021, Okta acquired Auth0 for $6.5 billion to bolster its customer identity business. Auth0 contributed to Okta’s surge in revenue and high-value clients.
Okta added 114 customers with more than $1 million ACV in 2021, while client companies with an ACV above $500,000 rose 150%. But the company faces stiff competition from Microsoft, OneLogin, Ping Identity, Duo, Broadcom, Oracle, and IBM. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top Okta’s competitors and alternatives:
1. Microsoft Azure
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: Redmond, Washington
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform owned by the iconic Microsoft Corp. The platform offers several cloud services, including Azure Active Directory. In 2021, Microsoft had 182,260 employees and made $143.02 billion in revenue.
Azure AD provides an alternative to Okta in the single sign-on (SSO) web application space. Both compete in the Identity-as-a-Service market and multi-factor authentication (MFA). But Okta also relies on Microsoft Active Directory for high-level functions, creating friction between the rivals over the years.
Azure’s virtualization access management system provides over 600 services globally and integrates with all OSes, including Linux, Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows. Users can leverage Azure AI, Azure Blockchain, and Azure Orbital to boost database security. Microsoft Azure is the top Okta competitor and alternative for many reasons. [3]
2. OneLogin
Year founded: 2009
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
OneLogin is a software company that offers cloud-based identity and access management. The platform serves around 2,000 innovative companies, including Facebook, Du-Point, and Airbus. In 2021, OneLogin had 287 employees and hit $23.7 million in revenues.
OneLogin develops and sells unified access management (UAM) systems to enterprise-level organizations globally. The platform offers SSO, allowing companies to manage user access to the cloud and on-prem applications.
In Nov 2021, OneLogin was recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Access Management. OneLogin is one of the top Okta competitors in the SSO and IAM markets. [4]
3. Ping Identity
Year founded: 2000
Headquarter: Denver, Colorado
Ping Identity is a software company owned by Vista Equity Partners. The firm delivers intelligent identity solutions for organizations, including IAM, API cybersecurity, and access security. In 2021, Ping Identity’s full-year revenue was $299.4 million. It expects $330 million to $340 million for the full year 2022.
Ping Identity helps companies achieve Zero Trust id-defined security and streamline the personalized user experience. About half of the Fortune 100 companies rely on Ping Identity’s IAM solutions, expertise, and open standards.
Organizations can use the PingOne Cloud Platform to authenticate, authorize, and monitor their data in real-time. Other Ping solutions include SSO, data governance, MFA, intelligent API security, and Ping Directory.
In 2021, Ping was named a Leader by Gartner in the Magic Quadrant for Access Management for the fifth consecutive year. Ping Identity is one of the top Okta competitors. [5]
4. Broadcom Inc.
Year founded: 1991
Headquarter: San Jose, California
Broadcom is a tech company that provides semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. Its product portfolio includes networking, storage, and cyber security software. In 2019, Broadcom acquired Symantec for $10.7 billion to strengthen its endpoint protection and security solutions.
Broadcom competes against Okta in the user authentication market, with Symantec VIP vs. Okta MFA and Symantec Siteminder vs. Okta Workforce Identity. Symantec also offers anti-malware, intrusion prevention, and a firewall.
In Jun 2021, Broadcom introduced Adaptive Protection for the Symantec platform. This feature leverages machine learning and automation to help enterprises anticipate and address cyberattacks. Broadcom’s Symantec is a worthy Okta competitor. [6]
5. Duo Security
Year founded: 2009
Headquarter: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Duo is a cloud-based user identity verification platform. In 2018, Cisco acquired Duo for $2.35 billion to securely connect its users in various networks. As a subsidiary of Cisco, Duo increased its customer base from 20,000 clients to more than 800,000. [7]
Both Duo and Okta offer IAM, multi-factor authentication, and Single Sign-On (SSO). Duo also provides a device vulnerability assessment system. This solution checks devices and users’ identities to identify and prevent security risks before connecting to the organization’s network.
Innovative companies like Facebook, Yelp, Lyft, and Etsy rely on Duo’s expertise in Zero Trust security and 2FA. Duo Security is one of the best Okta alternatives for MFA and SSO.
6. Oracle
Year founded: 1977
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
Oracle is a leading tech company that offers databases, cloud computing, and security software products. Both Oracle and Okta provide identity and access management solutions. The company has 136,000 employees and caters to more than 4.6 million customers globally.
In 2021, Oracle’s full-year revenue was $40.5 billion, with subscriptions accounting for 72% of its total earnings. [8]
Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Access Management Suite compete against Okta’s SSO, MFA, and other features. But Oracle also offers end-to-end enterprise-grade solutions. Oracle is a formidable Okta competitor in the IAM market.
7. IBM
Year founded: 1911
Headquarter: Armonk, New York
IBM is a leading software developer that offers enterprise-grade solutions, including identity and access management. In 2021, IBM had around 350,000 employees and generated $57.35 billion in revenues.
The software and consulting segments accounted for 70% of the company’s revenue. For fiscal 2022, analysts forecast a 6% revenue increase and 24% profit growth. [9]
Both IBM and Okta offer robust IAM solutions, with IBM Security Access Manager vs. Okta Workforce Identity.
But IBM has a more comprehensive product portfolio, including IBM Cloud, Cognos Analytics, Quantum Experience, WebSphere, PureQuery, and more. The tech giant caters to 47 companies on the Fortune 50 list, making it one of the fiercest Okta competitors.
8. RSA Security
Year founded: 1982
Headquarter: Bedford, Massachusetts
RSA Security is a computer and network security firm owned by Symphony Technology Group. The company offers identity and access management, online fraud prevention, and cybersecurity solutions. In 2021, RSA had 2743 employees and made around $1 billion in revenue.
The company’s top IAM solution is RSA Access Manager, a network security and authentication software. But RSA also offers RSA Cybercrime Intelligence, RSA SecurID Access, RSA Identity Governance, and RSA Federated Identity Manager.
In Jun 2021, RSA introduced Outseer Fraud Manager to bolster customer authentication. The company helps more than 90% of the Fortune 100 companies thrive and adapt to transformational changes. RSA Security is one of the best Okta alternatives for access management. [10]
9. ForgeRock
Year founded: 2010
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
ForgeRock is an identity and access management software company. It develops open-source commercial IAM products for mobile, cloud, customer, IoT, and enterprise environments. In 2021, ForgeRock had 758 employees and reported a 39% increase in revenue to $176.9 million.
ForgeRock Identity Platform competes with Okta across the board. This platform provides an all-in-one IAM solution, including digital identity management (DIM), access management, directory services, and identity gateway.
In Sep 2021, ForgeRock went public in a $275 million IPO at a valuation of $2 billion. The software firm will use its IPO proceeds to hire more engineers, invest in AI, and increase systems integrators. ForgeRock now has the resources to challenge Okta in the IAM market. [11]
10. Firebase
Year founded: 2011
Headquarter: Detroit, Michigan
Firebase is a cloud-based platform for developing mobile and web apps. Software developers can collaborate to create applications in real-time. In 2014, Google acquired Firebase and expanded its capabilities over the years.
The platform offers Firebase Realtime Database, Firebase Hosting, and Firebase Authentication. Firebase and Auth0 are the top developer platforms for apps that require quick development and strict user authentication.
In 2021, Okta spent $6.5 billion to acquire Auth0. This acquisition makes Firebase one of Okta’s top competitors. [12]
References & more information
- Condon, S. (2022, Mar 2). Okta reports solid Q4 results but growing expenses as it scales up. ZDNet
- Bowman, J. (2022, Mar 4). Okta Is Firing on All Cylinders Heading Into 2022. The Motley Fool
- Blanton, S. (2021, May 26). Azure Active Directory vs. Okta. Jump Cloud
- OneLogin (2021, Nov 3). OneLogin Named a Leader in 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Access Management. OneLogin Press Center
- Ping Identity (2022, Feb 24). Ping Identity Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-year 2021 Results. PRNewswire
- Broadcom Inc. (2021, Jun 2). Broadcom Pioneers Adaptive Protection to Maximize Endpoint Security. Globe Newswire
- Afana, D. (2021, Apr 19). How Ann Arbor’s Duo Security went from a two-man operation to a $2.35 billion company. MLive
- Liu, S. (2021, Jun 23). Revenue of Oracle 2005-2021. Statista
- Healy, W. (2022, Feb 1). Where Will IBM Be in 3 Years? The Motley Fool
- RSA Security LLC (2021, Jun 9). RSA Introduces Outseer, a Spinout of its Fraud Risk Intelligence Unit. Business Wire
- Novinson, M. (2021, Sep 16). ForgeRock CEO Rosch On IPO: ‘This is a really exciting market.’ CRN
- SP Editor (2021, Mar 5). The real reason Okta spent $6.5B on Auth0. Super Tokens
- Featured image by Markus Spiske
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Kevin Johnson
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