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Cybersecurity · head to head

IDnow vs Okta

IDnow logo

IDnow

Cybersecurity

Identity verification and qualified electronic signature for regulated European markets

From
On request
Free plan
No
Visit IDnowFull review
Okta logo

Okta

Cybersecurity

The identity platform for builders

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit OktaFull review

The short version

  • Okta starts at $6/user/yr; IDnow prices on request.
  • Only IDnow lists eID and NFC; only Okta lists single sign-on (SSO).
  • Where IDnow falls short: pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it.
  • Where Okta falls short: requires $1,500 annual minimum contract.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IDnow and Okta actually diverge.

Attributes where IDnow and Okta differ
AttributeIDnowOkta
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, APIWeb

Identical on both: category (Cybersecurity).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Okta, founded for IDnow.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in IDnow

  • VideoIdent
  • AutoIdent
  • eSign
  • eID and NFC
  • Bank identification
  • EU data processing

Only in Okta

  • Single sign-on (SSO)
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Lifecycle management
  • Universal directory
  • API access management
  • B2B integration
  • Passwordless authentication
  • Adaptive MFA

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

IDnow

  • A German bank opening regulated accounts where BaFin requires a recognised identification methodnot Okta
  • An insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a European courtnot Okta
  • A telecom operator meeting national SIM registration identity rules across several EU statesnot Okta
  • A lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value casesnot Okta

Okta

  • Employee SSOnot IDnow
  • Customer identitynot IDnow
  • B2B integrationnot IDnow
  • Zero Trust securitynot IDnow
  • Compliancenot IDnow

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

IDnow

  • Agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters
  • Pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it
  • The product is optimised for European regulatory regimes, so buyers verifying users in North America, Asia or Africa will find coverage and cost less competitive than global specialists
  • Qualified electronic signature is a separate licence from identity verification, which surprises buyers who assumed the accredited identity check made the signature capability included
  • Integration for the regulated flows is heavier than a simple SDK drop-in because the compliant journey, including consent and recording requirements, constrains the user experience you can build

Okta

  • Requires $1,500 annual minimum contract
  • Admin-only MFA can be vulnerable to push notification fatigue attacks
  • Implementation requires significant services and integration fees in year one

Pricing, plan by plan

IDnow

On request
  • IDnow PlatformOn request
    • Per-identification pricing that differs sharply between automated and agent-led methods
    • Annual volume commitment typically required
    • Qualified electronic signature licensed separately

Okta

Free
  • Starter Suite$6/user/mo
    • SSO
    • MFA
    • Universal Directory
  • Core Essentials Suite$14/user/mo
    • Adaptive MFA
    • Privileged Access
    • Lifecycle Management
  • Essentials Suite$17/user/mo
    • Same as Core Essentials
    • Most popular
  • Professional SuiteOn request
    • Device Access
    • Identity Security Posture
    • Threat Protection

Which should you pick?

Choose IDnow if

  • You need videoident.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want autoident.
IDnow review

Choose Okta if

  • You need single sign-on (sso).
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-factor authentication.
Okta review

Questions people ask

Is IDnow or Okta better?
Neither clearly leads. IDnow starts at On request and Okta at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IDnow or Okta?
Okta has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for IDnow and Free for Okta.
Does IDnow or Okta run on more platforms?
IDnow runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. Okta runs on Web.
Can I use Okta for free?
Yes. Okta has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IDnow starts at On request.
What is IDnow best used for?
IDnow is most often used for a german bank opening regulated accounts where bafin requires a recognised identification method, an insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a european court, a telecom operator meeting national sim registration identity rules across several eu states, a lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value cases. Of those, a german bank opening regulated accounts where bafin requires a recognised identification method and an insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a european court are not what Okta is typically brought in for.
What can IDnow do that Okta cannot?
IDnow covers VideoIdent, AutoIdent, eSign, eID and NFC. Okta covers Single sign-on (SSO), Multi-factor authentication, Lifecycle management, Universal directory.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

IDnow: Why choose it over a cheaper automated vendor?

Because in some European regimes the cheaper vendor is not legally permitted for the transaction. This is an eligibility question, not a quality one.

Okta: What is the minimum contract for Okta Workforce Identity?

Okta requires a $1,500 annual minimum contract for Workforce Identity plans. Pricing starts at $6 per user per month (Starter) and ranges to $17 per user per month (Essentials), billed annually.

Source
IDnow: Is the electronic signature included?

No. Qualified electronic signature under eIDAS is licensed separately from identity verification.

Okta: Does Okta offer a free trial?

Yes, Okta provides a 30-day free trial so customers can explore all product capabilities before committing to a paid plan.

Source
IDnow: Where is the data processed?

In European data centres, which is a requirement rather than a preference for many of its regulated customers.

Okta: How many pre-built integrations does Okta support?

Okta offers over 7,000 pre-built integrations with popular enterprise applications including Salesforce, Slack, Workday, Box, Confluence, and Zendesk.

Source
Okta: What security features does Okta provide for admins?

Okta provides multi-factor authentication, adaptive MFA, single logout, and identity threat detection and response. However, only 94% of Okta customers have MFA enabled for administrators.

Source
Okta: Can Okta integrate with on-premises directories?

Yes, Okta's Universal Directory and lifecycle management support cloud and on-premises identity sources, including Active Directory and LDAP.

Source
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