Okta is one of the most widely adopted enterprise identity and access management (IAM) platforms in the world, known for transforming how organizations securely manage user authentication and access to applications.
It centralizes identity control across cloud and on-premises environments, enabling secure single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and automated user lifecycle management. Many IT administrators, security teams, and operations managers rely on Okta not just for authentication—but for comprehensive identity governance and compliance automation.
What Is Okta?
Okta is a cloud-based identity and access management platform designed to provide secure, centralized control over user authentication and authorization across all enterprise applications.
Users can access thousands of integrated applications through single sign-on while administrators manage comprehensive identity workflows including provisioning, deprovisioning, and access reviews.
Originally built to replace fragmented identity systems, Okta now supports advanced security features like adaptive authentication, privileged access management, and non-human identity control.
Its user base spans from fast-growing startups to global enterprises, with strong adoption among IT security teams, HR operations, and compliance-focused organizations that need scalable identity governance.
What is Okta used for?
Common use cases for Okta include:
- Workforce Identity Management - Centralized employee authentication and access control across all business applications, reducing password fatigue and security risks
- Customer Identity Access Management - Secure login experiences for external customers and partners accessing web applications and services
- Single Sign-On Implementation - One-click access to multiple applications eliminates credential management overhead and improves user productivity
- Automated User Lifecycle Management - Integration with HR systems automatically provisions and deprovisions accounts during onboarding and offboarding processes
- Multi-Factor Authentication Enforcement - Adaptive security policies require additional verification based on risk context, location, and device trust
- Compliance and Audit Support – With integrations to third-party tools, Okta can support automated access reviews, detailed audit trails, and policy enforcement to help simplify regulatory compliance across industries
- Privileged Access Control - Manages elevated permissions and non-human identities like service accounts and API keys with automated rotation and monitoring
Key Features of Okta
The platform's core functionality includes:
- Single Sign-On (SSO) provides secure access to thousands of applications with one set of credentials, supporting SAML, OIDC, and federated protocols for seamless integration.
- Multi-Factor Authentication strengthens security through adaptive policies that require additional verification methods based on contextual risk factors and user behavior.
- Universal Directory serves as a centralized identity repository, synchronizing user data across all connected applications and maintaining consistent profile information.
- Automated Provisioning integrates with HR systems to automatically create, modify, and deactivate user accounts across all applications during lifecycle events.
- Identity Governance provides access reviews, policy enforcement, and compliance reporting to ensure appropriate permissions and regulatory adherence.
- Privileged Access Management secures elevated permissions and non-human identities with automated credential rotation and comprehensive monitoring.
- Okta Workflows enables no-code automation of complex identity processes through visual workflow builders and pre-built connectors.
Okta Pros & Cons
Okta offers comprehensive identity management but comes with considerations for implementation and cost.
Okta Pros
- Extensive application integrations (7,000+)
- Robust security features
- Scalable architecture
- Automated lifecycle management
- Comprehensive compliance support
- Intuitive user interface
- Real-time security monitoring and analytics
- Customizable authentication policies
- Global data center infrastructure
Okta Cons
- High licensing costs that increase with renewals
- Complex initial setup requirements
- Dependency on mobile devices for MFA
- Variable customer support responsiveness
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Limited on-premises deployment options
- Resource-intensive administration for large organizations
- Customization may require professional services
Okta Pricing
Okta uses a modular, per-user monthly subscription model where organizations select from predefined bundles of capabilities (Workforce Identity Suites) to best fit their needs.
All plans require a $1,500 annual contract minimum and are billed annually. À la carte options are available to enhance any suite with add-ons that can be purchased individually. Volume discounts are available for larger deployments, and enterprise implementations may require additional professional services costs.
How Siit Integrates With Okta
Okta becomes even more powerful when paired with Siit — an AI-powered service management platform that operates directly within Slack and Teams. Siit transforms identity-related requests into automated workflows without disrupting existing authentication patterns.
Here's how Siit + Okta transforms IT and internal support:
- Intelligent Request Routing
Employees submit identity and access requests directly in Slack. Siit's AI automatically detects request types, gathers required context, converts each submission into a service ticket within Siit, and routes to appropriate teams while maintaining Okta's security policies. - Automated Provisioning Workflows
Siit triggers Okta provisioning processes based on HR events like onboarding, role changes, or departures, ensuring users receive correct access without manual intervention. - Self-Service Access Management
Users can request application access, password resets, and MFA setup through conversational interfaces while Siit coordinates with Okta's APIs to execute changes safely, eliminating the need to log into a separate ITSM ticketing system. - Compliance Automation
Siit automates Okta access reviews by gathering stakeholder approvals through Slack reminders, updating permissions based on decisions, and maintaining audit trails for compliance reporting. - Contextual Support
When identity issues arise, Siit provides contextual troubleshooting by accessing Okta logs and user data to resolve problems faster than a traditional internal help desk approach.
Try It With Siit
Experience how Okta's enterprise identity management combines with Siit’s conversational AI to automate identity workflows directly in Slack or Teams, eliminating manual processes while maintaining security standards. Sign up for a free trial today and work efficiently.
Okta Alternatives
All tools listed below integrate with Siit, preventing data silos during identity management transitions.
- Microsoft Entra ID provides deep Office 365 integration with comprehensive identity governance, ideal for Microsoft-centric organizations requiring hybrid cloud support.
- Ping Identity offers highly customizable identity orchestration with advanced API capabilities, suitable for enterprises with complex integration requirements.
- Rippling combines identity management with HR operations, providing unified workforce management for growing companies seeking integrated solutions.
- OneLogin delivers competitive SSO and MFA features with flexible deployment options, serving mid-market organizations prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
- Auth0 specializes in customer identity management with developer-friendly APIs, perfect for companies building customer-facing applications requiring authentication.
