Google Cloud Identity vs WorkOS
Google Cloud Identity
cloud.google.comWorkOS
workos.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Cloud Identity | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $6/mo | $99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 10 |
| Spec score · Identity and Access Management Software | 9.2 (#2) | 8.5 (#13) |
| Spec score · Single Sign-On Software | 9.2 (#2) | 8.5 (#10) |
| Spec score · Passkey Authentication Software | 9.2 (#5) | 8.5 (#15) |
| Spec score · Authentication Software | 9.1 (#3) | 8.5 (#8) |
| Company size | LinkedIn lists Google as a public software-development company with more than 10,001 employees and headquarters in Mountain View, California. | LinkedIn lists WorkOS as a privately held software-development company with 51–200 employees. |
| Documentation depth | Google publishes guides, REST references, API setup instructions, release notes, support links and code samples for Cloud Identity. | Documentation includes product guides, integration guides, migration material, API objects, webhooks, errors, SDK references, tools and a weekly changelog. |
| Integrations | Google lists hundreds of cloud application integrations and thousands of pre-integrated SSO applications, including Salesforce and SAP SuccessFactors. | The integration catalog includes SAML and SCIM providers, HR systems, OAuth services, React Native Expo, Supabase, Stripe and Segment. |
| Purpose | Cloud Identity centrally manages users and groups as an Identity as a Service solution. | WorkOS provides building blocks and APIs for adding enterprise features to applications. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.3 out of 5 from 34 reviews | 4.5 out of 5 from 26 reviews. |
| Single sign-on | The product provides SSO to thousands of cloud and on-premises applications. | The SSO product connects applications to SAML and OIDC identity providers through one integration. |
| Support | The editions page lists 24x7 chat and email support for Premium and Google Cloud Communities for Free. | All accounts include email support, in-dashboard web support, API status notifications, documentation, and example apps. |
| What it does | Cloud Identity is Google's identity-as-a-service platform for centrally managing users and groups and federating identities with Active Directory or Microsoft Entra ID. | WorkOS provides APIs and infrastructure that let SaaS applications add enterprise identity and administration capabilities. |
Plans
Google Cloud Identity
- Cloud Identity Premium — Annual/Fixed-Term Plan$6 a month
- Cloud Identity Premium — Flexible Plan$7.20 a month
- Cloud Identity FreeFree
- Cloud Identity FreeFree
- Cloud Identity Premium$7.20 a month
- Cloud Identity Premium Flexible$7.20 a month
- Cloud Identity Premium Annual/Fixed-Term$72 a year
WorkOS
- AuthKitFree
- RadarFree
- Standard SupportFree
- Custom Domain$99 a month
- Audit Logs$125 a month
- Directory Sync$125 a month
- Single Sign-On$125 a month
- Scale Support$1,000 a month
- Annual CreditsPriced on request
- Enterprise SupportPriced on request
In their own words
Google Cloud Identity
Google Cloud Identity centrally manages users and groups as an Identity as a Service solution. It can federate identities between Google and providers such as Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, and provides single sign-on to thousands of SaaS applications, including Salesforce, SAP SuccessFactors, and Google Workspace. MFA choices include push notifications, Google Authenticator, Titan Security Keys, security keys, backup codes, SMS, voice calls, passkeys, and other TOTP code generators. Its console manages Android, iOS, and Windows devices, with tools to enforce policies, wipe company data, deploy apps, and view reports. Automated provisioning can create, update, or delete user profile information in third-party cloud applications. Directory Sync extends Active Directory users to the cloud, while Secure LDAP supports traditional applications and infrastructure. Free includes 50 user licenses by default; additional licenses can be requested at no cost. Premium costs $6 a month on an annual fixed-term plan, or $7.20 a month on a flexible plan billed monthly. Premium also lists a 99.9% SLA and 24x7 chat and email support.
WorkOS
WorkOS provides APIs and hosted components for SaaS companies adding enterprise capabilities to applications. Its User Management supports SAML and OIDC identity providers, social authentication, and passwordless email codes. Directory Sync handles SCIM provisioning and HRIS integrations for user lifecycle management. Customer IT administrators can configure identity providers and directories in a hosted Admin Portal with custom branding and a custom domain. Developers get REST APIs, JSON responses, webhooks, and SDKs for Node.js, Ruby, Python, .NET, Go, PHP, and Java. AuthKit includes email and password, magic-code sign-in, MFA, passkeys, organization policies, JIT provisioning, RBAC, and CLI authentication. WorkOS lists API, iOS, and web platforms, plus integrations such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack, and Stripe. Pricing is freemium: free plans exist, while paid products start at $99/mo for Custom Domain and $125/mo for SSO or Directory Sync.