Quick Verdict
If you are a Microsoft shop running E3 or E5, Entra ID is the obvious choice. You are already paying for it. If you run a diverse SaaS stack with Google Workspace, Okta's broader integration catalogue and FastPass experience are hard to beat. Google Workspace works as a basic IDP for smaller teams, but most organisations outgrow it once they need conditional access or compliance-grade governance.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Okta | Microsoft Entra ID |
|---|---|---|
| SSO (SAML/OIDC) | ||
| MFA | Okta Verify, FastPass, FIDO2, OTP | Authenticator, FIDO2, passkeys, SMS, certificate-based |
| Passwordless auth | Okta FastPass (device-bound) | Windows Hello, passkeys, certificate-based, Authenticator phone sign-in |
| SCIM provisioning | 7,500+ pre-built integrations | Native for M365, growing third-party catalogue |
| Conditional access | Okta Policies + device trust | Conditional Access (deeply integrated with M365) |
| Directory services | Universal Directory | Microsoft Entra ID |
| Microsoft 365 integration | Works but requires federation | Native, seamless |
| Non-Microsoft app support | Excellent, 7,500+ pre-built integrations | Good but fewer pre-built connectors |
| Google Workspace integration | Full SSO + SCIM, works as upstream IDP | Federation supported, not native |
| Platform SSO (macOS) | Supported via Okta Device Trust | Supported (Entra joined Mac) |
| Device trust / endpoint integration | Jamf, IRU (Kandji), CrowdStrike, SentinelOne | Intune, Defender (native); third-party via compliance partners |
| Identity threat detection | Okta ThreatInsight (included) | Identity Protection (P2 licence) |
| Lifecycle automation (JML) | Okta Workflows (visual, no-code) | Lifecycle Workflows (GA) |
| Governance (IGA) | Okta Identity Governance (add-on) | Entra ID Governance (requires P2 or standalone licence) |
| Pricing model | Per user/month, feature-based tiers | Bundled with M365 E3/E5, or standalone P1/P2 |
| Best for | Multi-cloud, best-of-breed stacks | Microsoft-heavy environments |
Not sure which identity provider fits your stack?
Our free IT audit covers identity, access management, and licensing.
Take the free audit →When to choose Okta
Broad integration catalogue
7,500+ pre-built SSO and SCIM connectors. If you run Slack, Notion, Figma, AWS, and dozens of other SaaS tools, Okta saves weeks of custom configuration.
FastPass passwordless
Device-bound biometrics eliminate MFA prompts entirely. Users never pull out their phone. Works across Mac, Windows, and mobile today.
Multi-cloud environments
Okta is cloud-agnostic. If your infrastructure spans AWS, GCP, and Azure, Okta provides consistent identity without vendor lock-in.
Google Workspace stacks
Full SSO and SCIM support for Google Workspace as an upstream IDP. If Google is your primary productivity suite, Okta layers on top cleanly.
When to choose Entra ID
Microsoft 365 investment
If you already pay for E3 or E5, Entra ID P1 or P2 is included. Adding Okta means paying twice for identity unless you have a compelling reason.
Intune and Defender integration
Conditional access policies are deeply integrated with Intune device compliance and Microsoft Defender. If your endpoint stack is Microsoft, Entra ties it all together natively.
Bundled licensing
P1 comes with E3, P2 comes with E5. Governance, PIM, and identity protection are included at the right licence tier. No add-on purchases required.
Windows-first environments
Windows Hello, platform SSO for Mac, and native device join. If your fleet is primarily Windows with some Mac, Entra handles both without a third-party IDP.
What About Google Workspace?
Google Workspace includes a basic identity layer that works well for smaller teams. It handles SSO for Google apps and a limited set of third-party SAML integrations. For teams under 50 people running mostly Google-native tools, it can be enough on its own.
The limitations show up at scale. Google Workspace does not offer conditional access policies, SCIM provisioning to most non-Google apps, or compliance-grade governance features like access reviews or privileged identity management. Once you need any of these, you layer Okta or Entra ID on top.
In practice, we see two common patterns. Companies running Google Workspace with a diverse SaaS stack typically add Okta for its broad integration catalogue and FastPass experience. Companies that have migrated to Microsoft 365 or run a hybrid environment typically consolidate on Entra ID because the licensing is already included.
What We Actually See in Practice
The biggest factor is your existing Microsoft investment. Companies on E3 or E5 already have Entra ID P1 or P2 included. Adding Okta on top means paying twice for identity. Unless you have a specific reason, such as 50+ non-Microsoft apps that need SSO, Entra ID is the pragmatic choice for Microsoft-heavy environments.
That said, Okta's integration catalogue is genuinely superior. If you run Slack, Notion, Figma, AWS, and a dozen other best-of-breed tools, Okta's pre-built SCIM connectors save weeks of custom configuration. Entra ID is catching up but still has gaps with non-Microsoft apps, particularly around automated provisioning and deprovisioning.
Okta FastPass remains a standout feature. It eliminates MFA prompts entirely by using device-bound biometrics. Users never pull out their phone. Microsoft is moving toward similar passwordless flows with Windows Hello and Authenticator phone sign-in, but FastPass works consistently across Mac, Windows, and mobile today.
For conditional access, both platforms are strong. Entra ID's conditional access policies are deeply integrated with Microsoft Defender and Intune. Okta's device trust works well with Jamf, Kandji, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne. Choose based on your endpoint stack. If you run Intune and Defender, Entra is the natural fit. If you run Jamf or Kandji with CrowdStrike, Okta ties into those tools more cleanly.
We also see growing demand for lifecycle automation. Okta Workflows provides a visual, no-code builder for joiners, movers, and leavers processes. Entra Lifecycle Workflows is now generally available and covers similar ground, though it is more tightly scoped to the Microsoft ecosystem. For organisations with complex JML requirements spanning multiple platforms, Okta Workflows currently offers more flexibility.
Okta vs Entra ID FAQs
Is Okta better than Entra ID?
Can I use both Okta and Entra ID together?
Is Entra ID free with Microsoft 365?
Which is easier to implement?
Does Volobyte recommend one over the other?
Where does Google Workspace fit?
Can I migrate from one to the other?
Not sure which identity provider fits?
We implement both Okta and Entra ID. Tell us about your stack and we will give you a straight answer, no sales pitch.