Shibboleth vs WorkOS
Shibboleth
shibboleth.netWorkOS
workos.comSide by side
| Figure | Shibboleth | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $279.50/mo | $99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 10 |
| Spec score · Single Sign-On Software | 7.8 (#21) | 8.5 (#10) |
| Authentication | The Identity Provider has built-in support for a range of authentication systems and customizable authentication and data manipulation features. | Its User Management offering supports SAML and OIDC identity providers, social authentication, and passwordless email codes. |
| Authorization | The Service Provider includes a variety of policy-oriented authorization features. | WorkOS documentation lists role-based and fine-grained authorization with custom roles and permissions. |
| Purpose | Shibboleth provides identity management software for individual organisations and multi-site federations. | WorkOS provides building blocks and APIs for adding enterprise features to applications. |
| Single sign-on | Its Identity Provider provides a flexible Single Sign-On solution for complex identity management requirements. | The SSO product connects applications to SAML and OIDC identity providers through one integration. |
| Support | General users can use Wiki documentation, community forums and mailing lists, while Consortium members receive developer Q&A and members-only Slack support. | All accounts include email support, in-dashboard web support, API status notifications, documentation, and example apps. |
Plans
Shibboleth
- Shibboleth softwareFree
- Academic/Non-Profit Small$3,354 a year
- Academic/Non-Profit Medium$6,707 a year
- Commercial Small$6,707 a year
- Academic/Non-Profit Large$10,061 a year
- Commercial Medium$13,415 a year
- NREN/Federation Small$15,244 a year
- Commercial Large$26,829 a year
- NREN/Federation Medium$30,488 a year
- NREN/Federation Large$60,976 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
Shibboleth
Shibboleth is open-source identity management software for individual organizations and multi-site federations. Its Identity Provider offers single sign-on for complex identity needs, supports multiple authentication systems, and can handle millions of authentication requests per day. Authentication and data handling features are customizable. The Service Provider works with a wide range of web applications, integrates with popular web servers, and provides policy-oriented authorization features. An Embedded Discovery Service helps users choose an Identity Provider from a shorter list and supports screen readers. The Metadata Aggregator verifies signed metadata, filters selected elements, and provides a web service for querying processed metadata. Shibboleth supports SAML 1.1, SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, and CAS, along with LDAP and Kerberos directory integrations. Built-in MFA and adaptive access are listed, while lifecycle provisioning is not included. The software is free to download and use, with Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted platforms listed. General users can consult wiki documentation, forums, and mailing lists; Consortium members also receive developer Q&A and members-only Slack support. The project recommends Identity Provider version 5.2.2 or later for a May 2026 XML parsing vulnerability.
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.