Overview

Auth0 is an identity and access management (IAM) platform designed to streamline authentication and authorization processes for developers and organizations. The platform offers a suite of tools and services to manage user identities, secure access to applications, and implement various authentication methods. Its core offerings include Universal Login, which provides pre-built, customizable login interfaces, and support for over 40 social identity providers, enabling users to log in with existing accounts from services like Google or Facebook.

Auth0 primarily serves developers and technical buyers looking for a flexible and extensible identity solution. It is particularly well-suited for enterprise SaaS companies that require robust B2B Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities, supporting protocols such as SAML and OpenID Connect (OIDC) for seamless integration with corporate identity providers SAML documentation. The platform's extensibility, facilitated by its "Actions" feature, allows developers to execute custom code at various points within the authentication and authorization pipeline, enabling tailored authentication flows and integration with external systems.

Organizations operating in compliance-heavy verticals often select Auth0 due to its adherence to various regulatory standards, including SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, ISO 27018, HIPAA-eligibility, GDPR, and PSD2/SCA Auth0 compliance details. This focus on compliance assists businesses in meeting their security and privacy obligations. While Auth0 offers a mature SDK ecosystem for popular languages and frameworks like Node, Python, and React, its pricing structure can scale aggressively beyond the free tier, with the B2C Professional plan for 10,000 Monthly Active Users (MAUs) costing $240/month. UI customization for login pages is managed through full HTML/CSS templating, allowing for brand alignment. The platform supports a range of authentication flows, including Authorization Code with PKCE, Implicit, Resource Owner Password, Client Credentials, and Device Code flows Auth0 authentication flows.

Key features

  • Universal Login: A pre-built, customizable login experience that can be integrated into applications, supporting various authentication methods.
  • Social Login: Integration with over 40 social identity providers, allowing users to authenticate using existing accounts from services like Google, Facebook, and Apple.
  • Enterprise SSO: Support for Single Sign-On (SSO) using industry standards like SAML and OpenID Connect (OIDC), enabling users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials SAML protocol documentation.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access.
  • Passwordless Authentication: Allows users to log in without passwords, using methods such as magic links, SMS codes, or biometrics.
  • Anomaly Detection: Identifies and mitigates suspicious login attempts and potential security threats.
  • Actions: A serverless platform for executing custom Node.js code at various points in the authentication and authorization pipeline, enabling extensibility and integration with external services.
  • Compliance Support: Adherence to standards such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, ISO 27018, HIPAA-eligibility, GDPR, and PSD2/SCA Auth0 compliance details.

Pricing

Auth0 offers tiered pricing based on Monthly Active Users (MAUs) and features, with separate plans for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Employee (B2E) use cases. The following table provides a snapshot of key pricing points as of May 2026, based on public information Auth0 pricing page.

Plan Name MAUs Key Features Monthly Price (USD)
Free Tier 25,000 5 organizations, 1 social connection, basic auth features $0
B2C Essentials 1,000 Standard authentication, social login, limited extensibility $35
B2C Professional 10,000 Advanced authentication, MFA, enterprise connections, custom domains $240
B2E Essentials Unlimited employees Basic enterprise SSO, user management Contact Sales
B2E Professional Unlimited employees Advanced enterprise SSO, delegated administration, advanced security Contact Sales

Common integrations

Auth0 provides SDKs and integration guides for various platforms and languages, enabling developers to incorporate identity management into their applications. Some common integration points include:

Alternatives

  • Clerk: Focuses on developer experience with pre-built components and hooks for React, Next.js, and other frameworks, often preferred for rapid development in B2C applications.
  • WorkOS: Specializes in B2B features like Enterprise SSO (SAML, SCIM) and Directory Sync, targeting developers building SaaS applications that need to integrate with enterprise IT infrastructure.
  • Stytch: Offers a suite of passwordless authentication solutions, including Magic Links, SMS passcodes, and Biometrics, aiming to reduce friction and improve security for end-users.

Getting started

To integrate Auth0 into a Node.js application, you can use the auth0-react SDK for a client-side React application or express-openid-connect for an Express.js backend. The following example demonstrates a basic server-side setup using Express.js to protect a route, redirecting unauthenticated users to the Auth0 login page.

// Install necessary packages:
// npm install express express-openid-connect dotenv

require('dotenv').config();
const express = require('express');
const { auth, requiresAuth } = require('express-openid-connect');

const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

const config = {
  authRequired: false,
  auth0Logout: true,
  secret: process.env.AUTH0_SECRET,
  baseURL: process.env.AUTH0_BASE_URL,
  clientID: process.env.AUTH0_CLIENT_ID,
  issuerBaseURL: process.env.AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL,
};

// auth router attaches /login, /logout, and /callback routes to the baseURL
app.use(auth(config));

// req.isAuthenticated is now available
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send(req.oidc.isAuthenticated() ? 'Logged in' : 'Logged out');
});

// This route is protected and requires authentication
app.get('/profile', requiresAuth(), (req, res) => {
  res.send(JSON.stringify(req.oidc.user));
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server listening on http://localhost:${port}`);
});

Before running, create a .env file in your project root with your Auth0 domain, client ID, and application secret:

AUTH0_SECRET='YOUR_LONG_RANDOM_SECRET'
AUTH0_BASE_URL='http://localhost:3000'
AUTH0_CLIENT_ID='YOUR_AUTH0_CLIENT_ID'
AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL='https://YOUR_AUTH0_DOMAIN.auth0.com'

Replace placeholder values with your actual Auth0 application details, which can be found in your Auth0 dashboard Auth0 Get Started guide. This setup provides basic authentication, redirecting users to Auth0's Universal Login page when they attempt to access protected routes.