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WorkOS is a hosted identity API for B2B apps, with a free plan and enterprise pricing per connection. If you need a self-hosted deployment, a different API model, or a lower listed starting price, compare the alternatives by what they cover and how they bill. Logto offers an open-source, self-hostable option; Ory Network and hosted providers take different approaches to production pricing. A switch means accounting for users, organizations, SSO connections, and provisioning—not just replacing a login screen.
01Why people leave WorkOS
You need predictable costs
WorkOS lists enterprise pricing per connection. If customers add SSO connections, compare how each alternative bills at your expected account and usage levels.
You want deployment control
WorkOS is hosted. Logto is open source and self-hostable, while FusionAuth is self-hostable; both give teams a different deployment model.
Your identity needs differ
WorkOS focuses on B2B identity. Alternatives cover customer identity, API-led IAM, and agent identity, which may better match your product architecture.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Open-source OIDC
LogtoLogtoLogto is an OIDC identity platform with an open-source, self-hostable option. Its listed starting price is $24 with a free plan, below WorkOS’s listed $65 starting price. It fits teams that want deployment control or enterprise SSO without committing to a hosted-only architecture. A migration still requires moving identity configuration and validating organization and SSO flows; production costs depend on add-ons.
Trade-off: Production cost depends on add-ons your app needs.
8.1/10from
$24/mofree plan - Self-hosted identity
FusionAuthFusionAuthFusionAuth is a deploy-anywhere identity platform for teams that need self-hosting or complex user models. Its listed starting price is $162 with a free plan, and it supports API-led authentication. Compared with WorkOS’s hosted identity API, you can choose where it runs. Plan to replace the identity integration and review usage terms; FusionAuth is self-hostable but has a closed-source tradeoff.
Trade-off: Self-hosting comes with a closed-source tradeoff.
8.0/10from
$162/mofree plan - API-first IAM
Ory NetworkOry NetworkOry Network is managed, API-first IAM for customer identity, B2B SSO and SCIM. Its listed starting price is $64.17 with a development-only free tier, close to WorkOS’s $65 starting price. Choose it when an API-first approach matters more than self-hosting. Production bills are usage-based, so estimate expected usage and map your existing SSO and provisioning flows before switching.
Trade-off: The free tier is for development, not production.
7.2/10from
$64.17/mofree plan - Framework-led integration
ClerkClerkClerk suits apps using its supported frameworks and B2B SaaS products that need organizations. It lists a $20 starting price and a free plan, lower than WorkOS’s listed starting price. The hosted user layer can reduce the work of running auth operations. Before migrating, check usage costs and deployment constraints, then verify that your SSO and organization requirements fit.
Trade-off: Check usage costs and deployment constraints first.
7.6/10from
$20/mofree plan - B2B identity APIs
StytchStytchStytch offers hosted identity APIs for B2B apps, including organization-level auth, SSO and SCIM. It also targets apps adding AI agent identity. A free plan is listed, but a starting price is not. Pick it when those API capabilities match your product; ask about expected production costs and migration paths before moving users and organization-level settings.
Trade-off: Starting price and migration paths need confirmation.
7.1/10from
Freefree plan - Customer and agent auth
DescopeDescopeDescope covers customer identity, tenant-aware B2B products, and agent authentication and consent. It lists a $249 starting price and a free plan, so it is not the lower-entry-price choice here. Consider it if those identity flows fit your product better than WorkOS’s B2B focus. Confirm pricing and deployment details, then plan to migrate tenant and authentication flows.
Trade-off: Its listed starting price is higher than WorkOS’s.
7.2/10from
$249/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 WorkOS WorkOS (current) | 8.0 | $65/mo | Yes | B2B apps adding enterprise SSO |
| Logto Logto | 8.1 | $24/mo | Yes | Teams building OIDC-based applications |
| FusionAuth FusionAuth | 8.0 | $162/mo | Yes | Teams that need self-hosted identity |
| Ory Network Ory Network | 7.2 | $64.17/mo | Yes | Teams building customer identity |
| Clerk Clerk | 7.6 | $20/mo | Yes | Apps using supported frameworks |
| Stytch Stytch | 7.1 | Free | Yes | B2B apps with organization-level auth |
| Descope Descope | 7.2 | $249/mo | Yes | Teams building customer identity flows |
Questions people ask
Which WorkOS alternative has the lowest listed starting price?
Clerk lists a $20 starting price with a free plan; Logto lists $24 with a free plan. Those figures do not establish your eventual bill: Clerk advises checking usage costs, and Logto production costs depend on add-ons. Compare the pricing model against your expected users, organizations, and enterprise connections.
Which WorkOS alternatives are open source or self-hostable?
Logto is listed as open source and self-hostable. FusionAuth is self-hostable, but its listed tradeoff is that it is closed source. Both change the deployment model from WorkOS’s hosted identity API. Review operational ownership and the terms that apply to your intended use before choosing.
What should developers plan for when migrating from WorkOS?
Inventory users, organizations, SSO connections, and provisioning flows before selecting a replacement. Map those requirements to the alternative’s identity APIs and confirm the provider supports the flows your app uses. Run a staged migration and validate sign-in and organization access before switching production traffic; do not assume a one-click migration.