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Cybersecurity · head to head

WorkOS vs Zscaler Internet Access

WorkOS logo

WorkOS

Cybersecurity

Developer platform for enterprise-ready authentication and identity.

From
$125/one-time per connection
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zscaler Internet Access logo

Zscaler Internet Access

Cybersecurity

Secure cloud-native internet and SaaS access

From
$100/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: WorkOS authKit free tier limited to 1 million monthly active users; additional millions cost $2,500/month; Zscaler Internet Access the pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WorkOS and Zscaler Internet Access actually diverge.

Attributes where WorkOS and Zscaler Internet Access differ
AttributeWorkOSZscaler Internet Access
Starting price$125/one-time per connection$100/year
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, Desktop, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).

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 WorkOS

Nothing recorded that Zscaler Internet Access does not also cover.

Only in Zscaler Internet Access

  • Secure web gateway
  • Cloud firewall
  • URL filtering
  • Advanced threat protection
  • Data loss prevention
  • Cloud sandbox
  • Browser isolation
  • CASB

What people use each for

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

WorkOS

  • SaaS applications needing rapid enterprise SSO deploymentnot Zscaler Internet Access
  • Companies selling to mid-market and enterprise customersnot Zscaler Internet Access
  • Applications requiring SCIM directory sync with corporate identity systemsnot Zscaler Internet Access
  • Product teams needing audit logs for compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001)not Zscaler Internet Access
  • Platforms with multiple identity provider requirementsnot Zscaler Internet Access

Zscaler Internet Access

  • Cloud Securitynot WorkOS
  • Zero Trustnot WorkOS
  • Web Securitynot WorkOS

Where each one falls short

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

WorkOS

  • AuthKit free tier limited to 1 million monthly active users; additional millions cost $2,500/month
  • Per-connection pricing for SSO and Directory Sync ($125–$50 each) scales poorly for enterprises with many identity providers
  • Audit logs require separate subscription at $125/month per SIEM connection or $99/month per 1 million events
  • Radar fraud protection billed separately at $100/month per 50,000 additional checks beyond 1,000 free checks
  • Custom domain feature requires $99/month subscription
  • Requires annual commitment for SLA and support guarantees; pay-as-you-go tier lacks uptime guarantee

Zscaler Internet Access

  • The pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost

Pricing, plan by plan

WorkOS

$125/one-time per connection
  • Pay as You Go$undefined/variable
    • Per-connection pricing from $125 to $50 with volume discounts
    • Up to 60% discount at scale
    • Quick deployment
  • Annual Credits$undefined/variable
    • Custom pricing with volume discounts
    • 99.99% uptime SLA
    • Guided migration

Zscaler Internet Access

$100/year
  • ZIA Business$100/year
    • Web security
    • URL filtering
    • Cloud firewall
  • ZIA Transformation$200/year
    • All Business features
    • Advanced threat protection
    • Cloud sandbox
  • ZIA Unlimited$350/year
    • All Transformation features
    • Cloud browser isolation
    • CASB

Which should you pick?

Choose WorkOS if

  • You work on Web, API.
WorkOS review

Choose Zscaler Internet Access if

  • You need secure web gateway.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want cloud firewall.
Zscaler Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is WorkOS or Zscaler Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. WorkOS starts at $125/one-time per connection and Zscaler Internet Access at $100/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WorkOS or Zscaler Internet Access?
WorkOS starts at $125/one-time per connection and Zscaler Internet Access at $100/year.
Does WorkOS or Zscaler Internet Access run on more platforms?
WorkOS runs on Web, API. Zscaler Internet Access runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
What is WorkOS best used for?
WorkOS is most often used for saas applications needing rapid enterprise sso deployment, companies selling to mid-market and enterprise customers, applications requiring scim directory sync with corporate identity systems, product teams needing audit logs for compliance (soc 2, iso 27001). Of those, saas applications needing rapid enterprise sso deployment and companies selling to mid-market and enterprise customers are not what Zscaler Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can WorkOS do that Zscaler Internet Access cannot?
Zscaler Internet Access covers Secure web gateway, Cloud firewall, URL filtering, Advanced threat protection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

WorkOS: How quickly can I implement WorkOS SSO?

Developers can implement single sign-on in minutes instead of months. Multiple customers report setting up SSO in less than a week, with WorkOS handling the complexity of SAML and OIDC protocols.

Source
Zscaler Internet Access: How many pricing tiers does Zscaler Internet Access offer?

Zscaler Internet Access offers two main platform bundles: the Essentials Platform (entry-level) and the Zscaler Platform (comprehensive). Specific pricing is not published online.

Source
WorkOS: What SDKs does WorkOS provide?

WorkOS offers SDKs for Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go, PHP, Java, and .NET.

Source
Zscaler Internet Access: Are there optional add-on modules available?

Yes. Zscaler offers extensive optional capabilities in five categories including Inline Cyberthreat Protection, Private Access enhancements, Data Security, Security Operations, and Zero Trust Branch.

Source
WorkOS: Does WorkOS support SCIM provisioning?

Yes. WorkOS supports SCIM provisioning integration with systems like Okta and Entra ID for automated user management.

Source
Zscaler Internet Access: How is Zscaler Zero Trust Branch priced?

Zero Trust Branch is sized by encrypted throughput (200 Mbps to 10 Gbps) or endpoint count (200 to 5,000 endpoints), with pricing varying by configuration.

Source
Zscaler Internet Access: How do I get Zscaler pricing?

Zscaler does not publish pricing online. You must request a demo or contact their sales team to receive a pricing quote.

Source
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