Top 7 SSO Solutions and Providers to Watch in 2025

A single sign-on, or SSO, is an authentication system that allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple software applications without needing to enter credentials repeatedly.

In simple terms, once users are authenticated by their identity provider, they can use the same login details to access any authorized application seamlessly.

Whether you’re employing risk management tools, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, or protecting your database systems, implementing an SSO solution can significantly simplify your security processes and user management.

The challenge lies in selecting the right SSO software because the market offers a vast array of providers and solutions. Some options may not meet your needs, while others deliver powerful features that streamline workflow and enhance security.

To assist in your decision-making, I have compiled a list of the top SSO providers based on several important factors. These include how effective the solution is, how user-friendly it is, support across different platforms, value for money, authentication capabilities, and additional features.

Let’s explore the best options currently available.

What are the Leading SSO Providers and Software?

Below are the top single sign-on systems, ranked according to the criteria mentioned above.

1. Microsoft Azure Active Directory

This platform is ideal for those seeking integration with a wide range of third-party software.

Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) offers comprehensive SSO services along with multi-factor authentication (MFA), which helps protect your users against cyber threats. Its versatility across various devices and applications makes it a popular choice.

Azure AD supports more than 90 third-party applications including Salesforce, Office 365, Box, and DocuSign, making it an excellent option for organizations aiming for a unified security and authentication platform.

Features such as conditional access and MFA provide additional layers of security and access control, ensuring only authorized individuals can reach sensitive data. Developers will appreciate its tools for effortless integration of identity services into custom apps.

Key Features include:

– Access to over 90 third-party apps via single sign-on.

– Built-in identity-driven security, policy management, productivity tools, and analytics.

– Ability to provision thousands of SaaS applications for users.

– Security features like conditional access and multi-factor authentication.

– Integration options for embedding identity verification within your own apps.

2. Ping Identity Intelligent Platform

This platform is best suited for organizations prioritizing security in their identity solutions.

Ping Identity’s platform consolidates security tools to help you safeguard digital interactions effectively. User experience is crucial today, and PingOne Cloud Platform offers a trusted, standards-based environment designed to excel across hybrid, multi-generation, and multi-cloud setups.

It enables secure access for all users and devices to cloud services, mobile apps, SaaS platforms, and on-premises applications and APIs.

The PingOne for Workforce solution ensures a consistent and secure identity experience for employees and reduces overall ownership costs, while providing scalable SSO capabilities.

Any application, whether cloud-based, on-site, or mobile, can be accessed securely and easily by employees during work hours, simplifying the process of resource access across different platforms.

If you aim to boost employee engagement, enhance productivity, and ensure security within your organization, PingOne could be an excellent solution for your needs.

The Okta Identity Cloud is a comprehensive platform that seamlessly connects the right people to the appropriate tools at exactly the right moment, providing an impartial and autonomous environment.

Using Single Sign-On, Okta helps organizations efficiently manage employee access to various apps and data across multiple devices. Its flexible Multi-Factor Authentication options allow users to authenticate through phones or wearables, enhancing security without compromising ease of use.

Studies show that 81 percent of data breaches occur due to weak or stolen credentials, emphasizing the importance of secure login systems. Okta centralizes user, group, and device management, streamlining administration and automating lifecycle processes for both internal and external users.

OneLogin Unified Access Management Platform is designed for organizations managing complex application ecosystems. This includes SaaS platforms, commercial off-the-shelf software, and custom web applications, which can be hosted locally, on remote servers, or in private clouds.

Traditional identity and access management solutions often require separate management of different environments, leading to complexity and inefficiency. OneLogin consolidates application access through a single administrator, reducing complexity and costs, and streamlining management.

With this platform, organizations benefit from simplified administration, lower IT expenses, enhanced security, and a better user experience. Users gain a consistent, single-click access to all SaaS and on-premise apps via the OneLogin portal, regardless of device.

Duo’s two-factor authentication platform, Duo SSO, enables users to access any application using just their password. It is simple to integrate with both custom in-house systems and cloud-based services. Designed for ease and security, Duo works seamlessly on any device and provides a centralized dashboard for managing application access. It supports customized permissions for various services and can complement existing single sign-on systems, offering a secure and user-friendly login experience.

CyberArk Workforce Identity provides simple, secure access to company resources, enabling employees to work remotely without sacrificing security. It streamlines secure login to cloud applications, helping to prevent password overload and the need for VPNs. This solution not only saves time but also maintains strong monitoring and activity tracking capabilities. With features like adaptive access controls and detailed policy management, organizations can keep tight control and visibility over who accesses what, making intelligent decisions based on AI-driven insights.

JumpCloud Directory-as-a-Service enables employees to securely access a variety of company resources, including both web-based and on-premises applications.

These resources can be reached from anywhere using encrypted login credentials that support multi-factor authentication.

JumpCloud Directory simplifies the process by allowing users to log in once and gain access to all their web and on-site applications along with any other necessary apps, all with just a few clicks.

You can leverage SAML JIT and SCIM protocols to automatically create and manage user accounts directly within applications through JumpCloud, passing along user attributes to enable seamless federated access.

The platform also includes a centralized system for logging and monitoring SAML app activity, along with MFA-enabled login options for the user portal.

Single sign-on (SSO) solutions allow users to access all their applications with a single set of login credentials, ensuring a secure and user-friendly experience.

Instead of juggling multiple usernames and passwords, administrators can use SSO tools to centralize user access management, making it easier to oversee and control.

Using SSO not only streamlines administration by reducing the number of credentials to manage but also enhances security across various platforms and devices.

These platforms include cloud services, on-premises applications, SaaS products, mobile apps, and virtual desktops, providing a cohesive access experience.

Implementing SSO offers significant advantages for organizations.

With SSO, managing user access costs decrease because staff only need to remember and manage one login credential.

This reduces time spent on password resets after data breaches, distributes login management across the team, and simplifies account activation across multiple systems.

Users can access all necessary applications with a single login, which naturally boosts productivity.

This allows employees to focus more on their core tasks rather than dealing with login issues.

Moreover, IT staff may experience greater satisfaction and morale by getting authentication right on the first attempt, potentially reducing staff turnover and workload.

One of the key benefits of SSO is better control over access, enhancing overall security posture.

It also supports compliance with standards such as HIPAA, ISO 27001, and Sarbanes-Oxley.

Managing individual credentials for each app can be complex and time-consuming; consolidating into a single credential set simplifies compliance and security enforcement.

One key advantage of SSO solutions is the centralized management of login activities.

This setup allows easy reporting on who accessed which app, login times, and locations—crucial information for investigating security incidents or policy breaches.

It also helps IT teams monitor storage use per user and identify when actions are necessary to optimize or secure system resources.

Managing user identities becomes more straightforward with SSO software, which controls creation, updates, and deletions of user accounts across integrated applications.

This guarantees standardized access controls and prevents exceptions such as hardcoded passwords or inconsistent policies.

It also offers detailed logging of individual user activity, supporting audits and compliance needs.

Most SSO solutions incorporate multi-factor or two-step verification for added security.

Aside from the usual username and password, users must also provide a time-sensitive code sent via email or SMS, adding an extra layer of protection.

Many organizations utilize SSO platforms that allow users to reset their passwords independently through the portal, often combined with MFA for security.

Not all SSO solutions offer this feature, so organizations should verify this capability before selecting a system.

This feature reduces help desk workload and enhances user convenience.

SSO portals are typically web-based and require minimal technical knowledge from users.

Users can self-register with a simple form and are given unique login URLs for each app, enabling quick access after initial setup—often in just a minute.

With SSO enabled, users no longer need to remember multiple passwords or reset credentials when switching apps, which saves time and reduces frustration.

This not only boosts productivity but also lightens the load for IT departments.

Depending on the chosen SSO provider, integration options vary.

Some solutions support simple setup through importing pre-configured XML files with user details, while others support more sophisticated integrations via API, enabling seamless connection with existing identity management systems.

Advanced SSO platforms offer extensive app compatibility, allowing access to numerous third-party applications from a single portal.

They also support custom integrations and are compatible with open-source projects, providing a consistent user experience across browsers and mobile devices.Devices.

This guarantees compatibility across all types of devices your employees might use.

Most user portals provided by Single Sign-On (SSO) services now include a built-in self-help feature that enables users to ask questions and get assistance directly within the application. This eliminates the need to seek help elsewhere, streamlining support and reducing the burden on IT teams. The main goal is to lighten the workload for IT staff while making technical support more accessible for everyone.

Many SSO providers allow you to tailor the look and feel of your portal pages to match your company’s branding and security standards. This customization can involve changing backgrounds, adjusting text and button colors, and modifying layout elements to reflect your company’s identity better. If you prefer, you also have the option to create a new page using pre-designed templates, avoiding the need for extensive modifications.

When choosing an SSO provider, user authentication is a critical factor. Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) is the most prevalent authentication method among SSO solutions. This technology enables users to access applications without entering passwords by verifying their Windows credentials. ADFS is known for its robust security and broad compatibility, but it can be costly to implement. Improper configuration may result in a negative user experience, so it’s vital to select a product with a proven, reliable ADFS solution.

Identity management is increasingly moving to cloud platforms, a trend supported by most mainstream SSO providers. Instead of installing local software, these cloud solutions utilize APIs and OAuth protocols to authenticate users across multiple applications. This approach requires no additional hardware investment, making it a flexible and scalable option. Pricing varies depending on features, with basic plans starting around $5 per user per month and premium features costing over $500.

APIs allow users to interact directly with your organization’s security systems without going through the web interface. This setup offers benefits like faster problem solving, reduced engineering workload, and greater user flexibility when accessing company resources. Many organizations consider API access management crucial for their security strategies because it helps streamline resource sharing and control across various systems.

Beyond basic SSO functionality, many providers offer tools to facilitate remote access, saving time and resources. These tools often include features like audit logs, which enable organizations to monitor user activities in real-time. This capability is essential for ensuring employees do not misuse privileges or attempt unauthorized access when working outside the office environment, helping maintain overall security.

SSO is ideal for organizations aiming to boost employee productivity, lower support requests, and protect sensitive data. Companies that use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to have real-time visibility into their networks can also benefit from implementing SSO. While it’s not necessary for all companies, certain sectors stand to gain significantly from SSO technology. These include educational institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and some non-profit groups. SSO helps manage app access efficiently in one place instead of juggling multiple systems. Although tools like SAML and SCIM are useful for user management across platforms, they can become costly and complex as the organization grows. SSO offers a simpler, more economical alternative for large-scale management, reducing administrative overhead. Managing user identities effectively is crucial for security and productivity, and SSO provides a centralized approach to access control, ensuring users have appropriate permissions. For organizations seeking to boost efficiency and simplify access management, SSO can be a vital component of their app strategy.

As cloud technology continues to evolve, scalable SSO solutions are becoming essential for businesses to adapt to changing needs. While password management has traditionally been the simplest way to grant access, SSO is rapidly gaining popularity because it helps eliminate many security and usability issues associated with passwords. Additionally, SSO solutions do this without overly complicating the organization’s infrastructure. The greatest advantage of SSO tools is their ability to enhance security and minimize support requests simultaneously. To sum up, the leading SSO providers and platforms today offer powerful features that can improve your company’s operations. Determining whether SSO fits your organization is the first step toward boosting employee productivity and ensuring a smoother user experience. Have you used SSO as an employer or employee? Are there any tools not listed here that you believe should be included? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Further resources on StepThroughThePortal.com: If online privacy is a priority, check out our list of top VPN services. For secure hosting options, explore the best VPS hosting providers to safeguard sensitive data and maintain anonymity.