Best Single Sign-On (SSO) Software in 2023

What is Single Sign On (SSO) Solutions?

SSO software, also known as single sign-on (SSO) solutions, is a verification solution that permits individuals to sign into different databases or applications with the same set of credentials. When you are accessing portals, applications, or servers, SSO technologies ease the identification process and give users an unconstrained experience. This software allows users to access several apps or datasets without having to log in every single time.

A user can access different applications, services, and databases just by using a single sign-on (SSO). It only requires one set of login details. Hence, SSO improves security and enhances the user experience for your clients and staff.

Why Use SSO Single Sign-On Software?

SSO software is adopted by organizations to improve end-user login experience and security. Also, it centralizes user access control, which relieves administrators' burden on security management. IT managers can use an SSO option to decrease or eliminate time-consuming procedures such as password resets. Features in SSO solutions assist both administrators and end users.

An effortless user interface, simple login, and, in many cases, mobile applications are featured for end users. Directory integrations or different multi-factor authentication (MFA) options, audit functionality, and preconfigured application plugs are all important features of SSO software which in turn helps administrators.

How Does Single Sign-On Software Work

SSO establishes the trust between a service provider as well as an identity provider. This relationship is frequently established by the exchange of a certificate (key to sign any identity information) between these two parties.

• An individual browses the website/app that he wishes to access (service provider, SP).
• The service provider then sends a token containing information about the user to the SSO system to verify the user’s identity.
• If a user has not been authenticated yet, they will be encouraged for it by providing an identity provider's credentials.
• When the credentials are verified by an identity provider (IP), a token is returned to SP, indicating that the authentication was successful.
• This token is then sent to the SP via the browser of a user.
• The SP's token is authorized as per the relationship formed during the configuration between the IP and the SP.
• Accessibility to the SP is then given to the user.

Key Features of Single Sign-On Software

• User portal: The best single sign-on software provides its users with a simple and intuitive user interface. It is also known as the login portal which allows users to access their company-related, approved websites and applications without logging in again and again.
• Authentication methods: End-users can choose from a variety of authentication ways including tokens, mobile push authentication, biometric authentication, and OTPs.
• Role Management: Account administrators of an organization can use SSO solutions to help with user registration and granting permissions depending on the user’s role.
• Audit features: Allows admins to monitor audit logs to keep track of all user access including login identities with details like app permissions enabled, security breaches if any, etc.
• Centralized governance: An SSO service enables you to keep track of all user accounts at a centralized location along with their complete details for 360-degree governance.
• Customizability: An ideal SSO solution should have customizable access for every application within your organization. This will let employees customize access to the applications as per their own needs.
• Stringent security: Authentication governance security mechanisms are critical. Every SSO software ensures that the SAML (security assertion markup language) is supported for security purposes.

Benefits of Single Sign-On SSO Software

• Increases security: The major benefit of using an SSO platform is that it ensures secure access to enterprise applications through the authentication process.
• Saves user time: SSO solutions limit the number of login credentials that end users must remember, and they also lessen user discomfort while switching between several applications. This entire process helps in saving the user’s time.
• Saves admin money: Users can easily access their accounts from a centralized database. Hence, decreasing the number of password reset calls to administrators, thereby saving time and money.
• Centralizes profiles: SSO software unifies end-user experiences into a single app, allowing for a centralized or consolidated view of customer-related data.
• Easy experience: SSO solutions make it easier for end-users to log in and access different websites and applications once they have been authorized.
• Reduces data breach: Instead of being archived on the local device of the user, login credentials are saved on a remote SSO or a cloud-based platform. This eliminates the risks associated with storing sensitive data locally.

Who Can Use Single Sign On (SSO) Software?

The Single sign-on (SSO) software is majorly used by:

• Employees: Employees can use SSO software to log in and register into a user portal and access their corporate accounts.
• System Admins: SSO software can be used by system admins to deploy, manage, as well as streamline access and identity management for an organization.
• Customers: In a B2C scenario, customers are the end-users of any SSO software who register and enroll themselves through an identity provider to access a company's app. Here, in this case, an identity provider is ideally cloud-hosted services that work with SSO providers to verify the identity of users.
• Companies: SSO software enables corporate clients and business partners to safely register and access the resources of a company, through several identity providers like Okta, Azure AD, Google, etc.

How to Buy the Best SSO Software (Factors to Consider)

While selecting the right kind of software, one must always be mindful of certain criteria:

• End-user determination: Buyers need to understand their end users first. They must figure out whether their end users are customers, employees, or business partners to understand which type of SSO solution will work best for them.
• Mobile integration: If end users intend to use their mobile phones to access their corporate resources, they must ensure that the SSO service provider's mobile application software fits their company's requirements for better integration.
• Developer’s support: When buying any SSO software, the buyers should look for assistance from the developer as well as the SSO provider. This is because developers have the right to regulate user-based access from a centralized location.
• Meets security benchmarks: This security software provides users with verified access to their organization’s resources. Therefore, it becomes the utmost necessity that your SSO solution provider meets the security benchmarks for your industry.
• Federation protocols: Organizations often decide to integrate their operational process with different identity providers outside of their organization. In this scenario also, SSO software must meet the protocols of a company.

Top Single Sign-On Solution Options

Here’s the list of top SSO software with their features and pricing.

Single Sign-On Trends

• Biometric Authentication: Nowadays, the most popular trend in the SSO is the usage of biometric authentication. It helps verify the identity of users based on their behavioural and physical characteristics including voice, face recognition, fingerprints, and iris recognition.
• Zero-trust Architecture: Another major trend in SSO is the adoption of zero-trust architecture. It enables the prevention of any data leakage, unauthorized access, cyberattacks, etc. Apart from that, it offers visibility and granular control over cloud resources and your network.
• Serverless Computing: Helps in simplifying SSO integration and offers other benefits like flexibility, scalability, cost-efficiency, and performance.
• Blockchain-based SSO: Enables recording of transactions in a secure manner with features like immutability, decentralization, interoperability, and privacy. Apart from that, it also helps in eliminating any central authority (mediator) to manage user credentials and avoid their misuse.
• Artificial Intelligence: Offers functionalities like ML (machine learning), NLP (natural language processing), speech recognition, and more. AI helps improve the security, user experience, and efficiency of SSO with the help of chat/voice-based login, anomaly detection, adaptive authentication, personalization, and data analysis.