Azure Active Directory vs Okta: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this document, we will discuss the key differences between Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Okta. Both Azure AD and Okta are identity management solutions used for authentication and authorization purposes in the cloud. However, there are some important differences that distinguish these two platforms.

1. Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: Azure AD is deeply integrated with other Microsoft services and products, such as Microsoft 365, Azure services, and Windows Server Active Directory. It provides seamless integration with these services, allowing for a unified user experience. On the other hand, Okta is a more platform-agnostic solution and offers integrations with a wide range of applications, including Microsoft services but also non-Microsoft applications.

2. Scalability and Global Presence: Azure AD is inherently designed to scale and support a large number of users and applications. It is available globally across multiple Azure data centers, providing high availability and low-latency access. Okta, while also scalable, may have slower performance in regions where it has fewer data centers or a smaller presence.

3. Identity Governance and Compliance: Azure AD provides a comprehensive set of identity governance and compliance features, including Identity Governance and Security Center. These features help organizations enforce access policies, detect potential vulnerabilities, and comply with security and privacy regulations. Okta also offers essential identity governance capabilities but may not have the same level of depth and integration with other compliance tools.

4. User Experience and Branding: Azure AD provides a customizable sign-in experience, allowing organizations to apply their branding and customize the user interface. It seamlessly integrates with organizational branding elements, providing a consistent experience to end-users. Okta also offers similar branding capabilities, allowing organizations to create a custom login page and branded user interface.

5. Pricing and Licensing: Azure AD comes bundled with Microsoft 365 plans and Azure subscriptions, making it cost-effective for organizations already using these services. However, for organizations solely looking for an identity management solution, Azure AD has separate pricing plans based on the features required. Okta follows a subscription-based pricing model, which varies based on the number of users and applications.

6. Third-Party Integration Ecosystem: Okta excels in its wide range of integrations with third-party applications and services. It has an extensive integration network, including thousands of applications, platforms, and identity providers. Azure AD also offers integrations with popular applications and platforms, but its ecosystem may not be as extensive as Okta's.

In summary, while both Azure AD and Okta are reputable identity management solutions, Azure AD offers deeper integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, scalability, and comprehensive identity governance features, while Okta excels in its integration ecosystem, third-party application support, and pricing flexibility. The choice between the two depends on specific organizational requirements and preferences.