⭐Okta

Okta is a cloud-based Identity and Access Management (IAM) platform built to help businesses secure logins, manage authentication, and protect access across all apps and teams. Many companies call it a digital identity guardian—verifying users, enabling secure single sign-on (SSO), managing permissions, and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Due to Okta’s popularity, people frequently search for terms like “Okta review,” “Okta competitors,” “Okta reviews,” and “Okta vs.” (usually in comparison with technologies like Azure AD or Ping Identity). When customers analyze capabilities like Universal Directory, API Access Management, or compare Okta SSO price and Okta pricing plans, it is often referred to simply as the Okta identity platform in product breakdowns.

As well, clients research topics like who owns Okta and read Glassdoor comments and corporate ratings, including entries that reference Okta layoffs. These all have a significant impact on how companies choose whether Okta is the best option. You can also look at resources like Airefinder to find more comparisons and facts.

Rating: 4.6 / 5
Category: Identity & Access Management • Zero-Trust Security • SaaS Authentication

What Is Okta?

Okta is a full-featured identity and access management platform that centralizes authentication for employees, contractors, partners, and customers. As an Okta choice for enterprises, it reduces password fatigue with SSO, enforces strong security with adaptive MFA, and enables modern workflows via API Access Management Okta for token-based, OAuth-secured APIs.

Okta doesn’t replace HR or finance systems; instead, it integrates with them. Searches for Okta HR leave management features, Okta expense management features, and Okta HR analytics features reflect how businesses connect Okta to core HRIS and expense platforms to automate account provisioning, track access related to employee status, and feed identity data into analytics.

Common Use Cases for Okta

Businesses typically choose Okta when they:

• Run many SaaS applications and need secure Okta SSO across systems
  
• Want to reduce breaches and improve compliance with adaptive MFA
  
• Need secure API gateways and authorization for customer apps (see review API and review campaign integrations)
  
• Require automated onboarding/offboarding tied to HR events (e.g., leave or termination)
  
• Operate remote or international teams and need device-aware access controls
  
• Are you replacing legacy directories with Universal Directory, Okta
  

Suppose you’ve ever typed “Okta verification is not pushing notifications to me” into search. In that case, it’s typically an MFA push or device token issue, often resolved by re-registering the device or checking mobile push settings.

Key Features of Okta

Identity & Access Management (Okta identity platform)

Okta centralizes identities for workforce and customer use cases and serves as a single source of truth.

Universal Directory Okta

A flexible, cloud-first directory that stores users, groups, and attributes across on-prem and cloud systems.

API Access Management Okta

Secure your APIs with OAuth 2.0, fine-grained scopes, and token management—critical for SaaS businesses and mobile apps that rely on API calls. Developers comparing platforms often include review API and review campaign flows when testing API security.

Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication

Device-based, biometric, and app-push MFA options that factor in location, IP reputation, and behavior.

Okta FastPass Setup

Okta FastPass setup enables passwordless login by trusting devices and biometrics for frictionless authentication.

Lifecycle Automation

Automated provisioning/deprovisioning keeps access in sync with HR events, which is why organizations reference Okta HR leave management features, Okta expense management features, and Okta HR analytics features when evaluating identity-driven automation.

Integrations & Partner Ecosystem (Okta partner)

Okta has a broad network of integrators and managed-service providers; this Okta partner ecosystem eases deployment and custom integrations.

Who Should Use Okta?

Okta is a strong fit for:

• Mid-size to large enterprises with complex SaaS stacks
  
• SaaS companies need secure customer identity and API protection
  
• Organizations subject to compliance frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR)
  
• IT teams are replacing legacy Active Directory with a cloud-first directory
  

When evaluating Okta vs other platforms, organizations often weigh Okta’s integration depth and developer-friendly features against competitor pricing and governance strengths.

Okta Competitors & Market Context

Top alternatives include:

• Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)—tight Microsoft ecosystem integration
  
• Ping Identity—enterprise federation and SSO specialist
  
• Duo Security—lightweight MFA solution
  
• SailPoint—governance-focused identity platform (many ask what SailPoint is; it specializes in identity governance and access reviews rather than primary authentication)
  
• Auth0—developer-first identity platform (now part of Okta via major Okta acquisitions)
  

When people search for Okta competitors or “Okta vs,” these names almost always come up.

Pricing: How Much Does Okta Cost?

Short answer: Okta costs vary based on modules and scale. Questions like “How much does Okta cost?” and “What is Okta SSO pricing?” are common.

• Entry-level SSO is available at a per-user starting tier, but real-world Okta pricing plans typically rise as you add MFA, lifecycle automation, API Access Management, and enterprise support.
  
• Expect to budget more for advanced modules; many buyers compare total TCO when weighing Okta costs against competitors.
  

Okta Company Notes: Ownership, Acquisitions & Reputation

• Who owns Okta? Okta is operated by Okta, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: OKTA). It is not owned by Google.
  
• Okta acquisitions (notably Auth0) expanded Okta’s developer and CIAM capabilities. Mentioned twice here because those integrations materially changed product direction.
  
• Okta company reviews and Glassdoor Okta entries show generally positive employee feedback but some concerns during restructuring periods, including mentions of Okta layoff episodes. These are important contexts for buyers assessing vendor stability.
  

A few niche search terms, such as Anewleaf and Okt, show up in some enterprise deployment case studies or integration partners—typically referencing organizations or consultancies that implement Okta solutions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Best-in-class SSO and integration library
  
• Strong API security (API Access Management, Okta)
  
• Passwordless options via Okta FastPass setup
  
• Scales for enterprise use cases
  

Cons

• Higher price at scale (see Okta costs)
  
• Some advanced flows require engineering effort.
  
• Occasional MFA push issues (search phrase: Okta verification is not pushing notifications to me)
  
• HR/expense features are integration-focused rather than full replacements (see Okta HR leave management features and Okta expense management features).
  

What Real Users Say (Okta reviews)

Across Okta reviews, enterprise proof points are strong: fewer password reset tickets, reliable MFA, and robust API controls. Okta company reviews and Glassdoor Okta feedback show positive views on product and culture, tempered by typical industry restructuring conversations such as Okta layoff headlines.

FAQs

Is Okta trustworthy?

Yes. Okta follows zero-trust principles, supports strong encryption, and offers enterprise-grade controls that make it a trusted choice for many regulated industries.

What are the disadvantages of Okta?

Higher costs at scale, complexity in advanced automation, and occasional push-notification issues (see “Okta verification is not pushing notifications to me”).

What exactly does Okta do?

Okta provides centralized identity, SSO, MFA, lifecycle automation, API security (API Access Management Okta), and directory capabilities (Universal Directory Okta) to secure user access across applications.

Is Okta owned by Google?

No. Okta is publicly traded and independent. Who owns Okta: Okta, Inc.

Conclusion

Okta remains a leading choice for organizations prioritizing modern authentication, deep integrations, and robust API controls. If your evaluation includes Okta vs. competitors, consider long-term Okta costs, required modules, and the partner ecosystem. For enterprises that need secure access at scale and developer-friendly API protections, Okta is still a compelling platform.