Single sign-on, or SSO, lets your team log in to all their work apps — email, project tools, billing software — with one set of credentials. It saves time, reduces password fatigue, and makes it much easier to cut off access when someone leaves. Okta is one of the most well-known SSO providers, but its pricing and complexity are built for large enterprises. If you run a small business and want the same security benefits without the overhead, there are better-fit options worth your attention.
This post walks through what to look for in an Okta alternative and highlights the tools most likely to serve a small team well.
What Small Businesses Actually Need from an SSO Tool
Before picking a platform, it helps to be clear on your real requirements. Most small businesses need simple user management, support for common apps like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, and QuickBooks, and a price that scales with a team of 5 to 50 people rather than 5,000. You also want multi-factor authentication (MFA) built in, because SSO without MFA just creates one big target instead of many small ones. Finally, setup should not require a dedicated IT person. If you need to hire a consultant just to get started, the tool is probably the wrong fit.
The Top Alternatives to Consider
JumpCloud is the strongest all-around choice for most small businesses. It combines SSO, directory management, and device management in one platform. The free tier supports up to 10 users, which is enough for very small teams to get started at no cost. Paid plans are straightforward and affordable. JumpCloud is especially useful if your team uses a mix of Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.
Authentik is a strong option if you have even basic technical comfort. It is open-source and self-hosted, meaning you pay for your own server rather than a monthly subscription. This can be very cost-effective for a tech-savvy owner who wants full control over their data. The trade-off is that setup takes more effort upfront.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is worth considering if your business already uses Microsoft 365. The free tier included with most Microsoft 365 plans covers basic SSO and MFA, making it a zero-additional-cost option for teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
How to Choose the Right One for Your Team
Start with your existing software stack. If you are deep in Google or Microsoft tools, lean toward a solution that connects cleanly with those platforms. If your team is growing and you want a single dashboard to manage app access and devices, JumpCloud is hard to beat. If budget is the top priority and you have technical help available, Authentik gives you the most control for the least ongoing cost.
Avoid overcomplicating the decision. Pick one tool, run a free trial with a small group, and check whether your key apps connect without friction.
The right SSO solution does not need to be the most powerful one on the market. It needs to be the one your team will actually use, that fits your budget, and that makes your business meaningfully more secure. Any of the options above can do that job well.