Managing user access across applications poses an all-too-common struggle. As an IT or security admin, you already know the drill: enforcing strong passwords leads to a surge in reset requests. Weak ones leave everyone’s data vulnerable.
And even though you’ve probably had to befriend single sign-on (SSO) software so your colleagues can get access to everything with one set of credentials, it may have come at a literal high cost.
To help you out, we’ve compiled the best free SSO software to end your quest for an efficient authentication system. Our list comprises the eight leading solutions, their pros and cons, and what G2 users say about them. Let’s dig in!
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations – that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
Free SSO platforms safeguard sensitive data, maintain compliance, and ensure a seamless user experience while remaining cost-effective.
The list below contains real user reviews from the best free SSO software category page. Please note that in the context of this list, software that requires payment after a free trial is considered free.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
JumpCloud’s innovative SSO solution integrates identity, access, and device management. It also functions as a comprehensive directory platform that reimagines traditional directory services by combining them with cutting-edge technology for a comprehensive and scalable solution for modern enterprises.
The 30-day trial allows users to explore the full functionality of the JumpCloud platform with zero restrictions.
Pros of JumpCloud |
Cons of JumpCloud |
| Supports various operating systems like macOS, Windows, Linux | Learning curve for a broad range of features |
| Also offers full directory management, device management, and two-factor authentication (2FA) | Demands significant system resources |
| Integrated zero-trust security model for modern cybersecurity measures | Time-consuming deployment |
“JumpCloud is easy to use and also easy to implement. It helps alleviate the burden on the IT department. We can manage all operating systems in one platform. We have applied all types of policies here. There is a good option for managing an Android device. We can also manage the Chrome browser here. JumpCloud is a good platform for user identity management, device management, and SSO configuration.”
- JumpCloud Review, Rohit K.
“I think the portion of the command could use some work on JumpCloud. I have made many scripts that work when run locally, but when run on JumpCloud, I experience errors and failures on Windows. Mac commands leave a little to be desired, but that is mostly because of the nature of Mac and no real fault to JumpCloud. It would just be cool to have some more command/scripting options.”
- JumpCloud Review, Zach L.
1Password combines exceptional password management capabilities with SSO features to offer a secure access management platform. With a focus on security, 1Password gives users an impeccable way to handle access to multiple applications without getting bogged down by the complexity of modern IT environments.
The 14-day free trial allows users to try all the essential features that make it a versatile addition to any IT ecosystem.
Pros of 1Password |
Cons of 1Password |
| Features an intuitive and sleek interface, easy to navigate for all users | Technical expertise required to set up SSO and manage shared vaults |
| Continuously monitors the health of passwords and sends vulnerability alerts | Advanced reporting and extensive integrations available for high-tiers only |
| Shares credentials within teams without compromising security | Number of guest access limited in lower-tiers |
“How easy it is to deploy to end users and to manage 1Password updates and Browser 1Password extension updates. 1Password always offers new features, such as SSO integration with Okta. This makes it much easier for the folks managing 1Password and end users who only need to remember the password to log into the SSO provider. 1Password Business Plan offers the end user their personal accounts covered by 1Password as well, which is great.”
- 1Password Review, Rikin P.
“SSO logins are still not a feature that can be saved with 1Password, and I have to share my personal login details with others offline just so they can use my SSO login to access a certain service.”
- 1Password Review, Aryan G.
LastPass integrates as a powerful SSO solution with a wide range of applications to provide a single login experience across your digital ecosystem. With features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), automated password generation, and detailed reporting, LastPass empowers basic users to explore their accounts while IT teams maintain control over access and security. The platform's centralized admin console simplifies user management so everyone can add, remove, and monitor user activity.
The free plan also comes with a 30-day free trial for the premium plan, allowing users to evaluate if the tool is worth the upgrade.
Pros of LastPass |
Cons of LastPass |
| Generates strong, unique passwords, reducing the risk of security breaches | Some synchronization delays between devices may occur occasionally |
| Provides detailed logs of user activity that help identify potential security issues | Has faced occasional security vulnerabilities in the past |
| Supports a vast array of applications for uninterrupted, ensuring seamless access across platforms | Limited SSO capabilities may not be enough for enterprise-level requirements |
“I love LastPass because I only have to remember ONE password. And that's the one who can access my account. I also love it because I plan to use LastPass on my phone, as an app on my desktop, and with an extension in my browser, which makes it super simple. I love that it's easy to generate new, complex passwords. And when you're on the computer and creating a new password, the extension for Chrome will pop up and ask if you want to save that password to your LastPass.”
- LastPass Review, Jeni H.
“The mobile version of LastPass is not that great. I find it doesn't usually launch websites with user/pass that well, and I need to copy/paste the info in order to get it to actually work - which usually doesn't work that well if the client has chosen not to allow me to view this info.”
- LastPass Review, Caitlin M.
Microsoft Entra ID delivers an enterprise-grade SSO solution that integrates with thousands of applications, both on-premises and in the cloud. Centralized identity and access management (IAM) solution lets users sign in once and access all necessary resources. The platform comes with advanced security features such as conditional access policies and identity protection.
This isn’t an open-source SSO platform, but the free edition of Microsoft Entra ID is included with a subscription to Microsoft Cloud services like Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Pros of Microsoft Entra ID |
Cons of Microsoft Entra ID |
| Simplifies access permissions and policies for groups | Steep learning curve to fully utilize the platform |
| Easily scalable for supporting both small teams and large enterprises | Complex initial configuration of SSO |
| Ideal for hybrid environments that use on-premise and cloud-based services | Dependent on the Microsoft ecosystem |
“Microsoft Entra is one of the best solutions Microsoft offers for verifying and identifying enterprise technology assets such as laptops and mobile phones. It ensures that only the right people have access to specific resources. What I like the most are these three features: multi-factor authentication with the Microsoft Authenticator app, identity management for each device, and its integration with BitLocker, which provides full disk encryption for the asset. This way, data is securely stored and can be recovered with a BitLocker recovery key.”
- Microsoft Entra ID Review, Erick Vincent Steve G.
“Entra ID provides various free tiers, but some of the valuable security features require a paid subscription, so one of the points of dislike is its cost. It provides various features that can be complex to set up and manage, especially for organizations with limited IT resources. Integrating Entra ID with some non-Microsoft applications requires additional configuration.”
- Microsoft Entra ID Review, Bhupender N.
Keeper Password Manager functions as a top-tier password management tool with robust SSO capabilities. It’s a valuable asset for managing secure access across multiple applications. Designed with a strong emphasis on security, Keeper provides a straightforward way to handle user authentication and identity management.
New users can try out all of Keeper's features for SSO and password protection with a 14-day free trial.
Pros of Keeper Password Manager |
Cons of Keeper Password Manager |
| Allows users to designate emergency contacts for vault access | Doesn’t cover as many integrations for enterprise apps as some other SSO solutions |
| Centralized admin console for easy management | Large teams may find lower tiers limited |
| Has unique features that alert users of any potential threats | Learning curve for customizations and extensive security features earning curve |
“We use Keeper in our IT department to safeguard all of our vital password data. With Enterprise integration built into Google Workspace, we are able to use SSO to log in and access all of our password data. Keeper's ability to organize passwords within the team and share them out is second to none in my opinion, and recent updates like timed link sharing and passkey capability show how on the ball they are.”
- Keeper Password Manager Review, Simon S.
“I would like to be able to reset a user's password if they forget it. Currently, the user needs to attempt this themselves, but invariably, they will have misplaced their recovery phrase. As a workaround, I transfer their vault, delete them, recreate them, and transfer their vault back to them.”
- Keeper Password Manager Review, Adam O.
Cisco Duo presents a comprehensive SSO solution that supports a wide range of applications and services. Duo’s security-centric approach means you get features like device trust and adaptive access policies so no one and nothing unauthorized can access your resources. A user-friendly design and centralized management console make it easy for IT teams to deploy, manage, and monitor access controls.
The free plan is available for up to 10 users and comes with worry-free integrations and a free authenticator app.
Pros of Cisco Duo |
Cons of Cisco Duo |
| Provides granular control so admins can set detailed policies | Reliance on internet connectivity for authentication |
| Ensures that only healthy, compliant devices access applications | Lower tiers insufficient for larger teams due to user limitations |
| Gives you comprehensive reports on authentication events and user activity | Initial configurations complex for some users |
“In our organization, we use Duo Security for SSO and multi-factor authentication. All enterprise-related access, whether on desktop or mobile apps, also requires Duo authorization Security to log in, which provides a very safe and secure logging environment and also means that I receive a notification on my mobile device whenever someone attempts to log in to the systems.”
- Cisco Duo Review, Terry D. J.
“It is built for push alerts, but they don't always function; I have to open the app and manually input the login code, which bothers me. From a management standpoint, there isn't much information about setup and usage. Also, the username is not established by the user; it is set by the administrator who added the user account and is difficult to communicate with the user.”
- Cisco Duo Review, Marie S.
OneLogin excels at identity and access management functionality with SSO capabilities. Its centralized administration portal gives IT teams the power to manage users, enforce security policies, and monitor activity. The platform’s flexibility and comprehensive security measures make it a strong contender in the SSO market.
The 30-day free trial provides access to custom reports, security policies, VPN integrations, and more.
Pros of OneLogin |
Cons of OneLogin |
| Keeps user directories synchronized in real-time | Reliance on cloud services challenging for on-premise setups |
| Contains an adaptive authentication process for an extra layer of security | Doesn’t offer sufficient resources for larger enterprises |
| Provides a highly customizable user portal | Delays in receiving the latest features for free users |
“The user interface is easy to use, and it has all the features that can help your org to reach your SSO goals. Apart from this, it has some very neat features like SSO for desktop and smart hooks that can provide more value addition and improve end-user experience.”
- OneLogin Review, Joy D.
“Some policy configurations limit what you can do. New features released seem to be considered an ‘add-on’ and are not always included with your subscription.”
- OneLogin Review, Pete S.
Auth0 by Okta works perfectly for small teams and developers searching for a flexible and secure authentication solution. It enables extensive customization through powerful application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs), making it a favorite among developers who need to tailor authentication workflows to specific requirements.
The free SSO plan is available with 7000+ pre-built integrations and other amazing features.
Pros of Auth0 by Okta |
Cons of Auth0 by Okta |
| Deep customization thanks to extensive APIs and SDKs | Lack of HTML modifications |
| Designed to scale effortlessly with organizations | Steep learning curve with advanced features and customized workflows |
| Uses machine learning to adapt to user behavior and enhance security | Access to customer support is limited for free users |
“Auth0 by Okta’s multi-factor authentication and anomaly detection work pretty well. It also supports SSO, making it easy to sign up for different applications using the same credentials easily. It has a lot of customization potential so that you can set the level of security for yourself.”
- Auth0 by Okta Review, Mrinal G.
“Nobody responds to their emails. I have sent three emails to three different salespeople about plans so I can go live with my app. I've been waiting for weeks to hear back from any of them. The irony is that they were the ones who sent me an email asking if I had any questions in the first place.
Their support is total crap. They waste your time talking in circles instead of actually understanding your problem and trying to help you solve it. I am so disappointed I went with them, but I did because I used them nearly a decade ago for another project. They have since been acquired, and the things I like about them, such as responsiveness and competent technical support, have completely gone down the drain.”
- Auth0 by Okta Review, Mike M.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free SSO software, this comparison table will help you with all the essential aspects:
| Software name | G2 rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| JumpCloud | 4.5/5 | 30-day free trial available | Starting at $11/user/month |
| 1Password | 4.7/5 | 14-day free trial available | Starting at $2.99/month |
| LastPass | 4.4/5 | Available with a 30-day trial for the premium tier | Starting at $3/month |
| Microsoft Entra ID | 4.5/5 | Available for free with Microsoft Cloud subscriptions | Starting at $6/user/month |
| Keeper Password Manager | 4.7/5 | 14-day free trial available | Custom pricing |
| Cisco Duo | 4.5/5 | Available for limited users | Starting at $3/user/month |
| OneLogin | 4.4/5 | 30-day free trial available | Starting at $2/user/month |
| Auth0 by Okta | 4.3/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $2/month |
Have questions? Find more answers below.
Finding the right single sign-on solution significantly improves your organization's security, efficiency, and user satisfaction. Now that you’ve explored some of the best free options, take the time to assess your own needs, explore the options we've highlighted, and engage with your key people to experience a smooth implementation.
We hope this list takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!
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