The real cost of enterprise SSO: per-connection vs per-MAU pricing

Enterprise Single Sign-On (SSO) pricing, crucial for B2B SaaS companies, is typically more predictable when based on per-connection models compared to per-Monthly Active User (MAU) models, as the cost correlates with customer count rather than user count. This guide outlines the financial implications of each pricing model, including hidden costs like the "SSO tax," SCIM fees, connection caps, and the significant engineering costs associated with building SSO in-house. A detailed comparison of major providers such as WorkOS, Auth0, and Clerk reveals how pricing structures can escalate as businesses scale, emphasizing the importance of choosing a model that aligns with company growth and customer profiles. For startups, landing the first enterprise customer can cost between $75 and $375 per month using managed providers, whereas mid-stage companies with 10 to 50 connections face rising costs due to both connections and user base. Established companies with over 100 connections often encounter opaque pricing that necessitates negotiations. Clerk's pricing strategy offers a predictable per-connection model with included SCIM, avoiding unexpected costs tied to user spikes, while the choice of model should consider growth patterns, the need for SCIM, and potential compliance costs.