The verdict in three sentences
Deploying SSO (single sign-on) for your business apps costs between AED 25,000 and AED 70,000 to integrate in Dubai in 2026, depending on the solution and the number of apps to connect. The structural choice is self-hosted Keycloak (free licence, but you own the ops) vs managed Auth0 / Entra ID (monthly recurring, zero maintenance). ROI is twofold: hardened security (MFA, provisioning) and -70 % password tickets at the help desk.
OAuth2, OIDC, SAML: which protocol for which use?
SSO relies on standard protocols you should pick per application. No need to mix everything — here's the 2026 decision grid.
| Protocol | Ideal use | Complexity | Typical case |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAuth 2.0 | API access authorisation | Medium | Mobile app calling an API |
| OIDC (OpenID Connect) | Modern web authentication | Low | Unified login for recent web apps |
| SAML 2.0 | Legacy enterprise apps | High | Connecting to an old HR tool |
In 2026, OIDC is the default choice for any new web application. SAML is only justified to integrate legacy enterprise software that speaks nothing else.
Self-hosted Keycloak or managed: the real 3-year cost
The headline price doesn't tell all. Keycloak is free to licence but needs ops; Auth0 or Entra ID bill per active user. Here's the 3-year comparison for a 200-user SME.
| Line item | Self-hosted Keycloak | Managed Auth0 / Entra ID |
|---|---|---|
| Initial integration | AED 35,000 - 70,000 | AED 25,000 - 50,000 |
| Annual licence | AED 0 | AED 20,000 - 55,000/yr |
| Hosting + ops | AED 10,000 - 20,000/yr | Included |
| MFA (two-factor) | Included | Often a paid add-on |
| Total 3-year cost (est.) | AED 65,000 - 130,000 | AED 85,000 - 215,000 |
Decision rule: Keycloak pays off long-term and at scale but requires a team able to run it. Managed is justified if you want zero maintenance and painless scaling.
Mini case study
Omar, IT director of a services SME in Dubai (180 staff, 6 business apps), managed 6 logins per employee. The help desk handled around 40 'forgot password' tickets a month, some 15 hours. The SSO integration on Keycloak with MFA cost AED 48,000, plus AED 14,000/yr in ops. Result: a single login, 12 tickets/month (-70 %), and automatic provisioning that cuts access the moment an employee leaves. Support saving: ~AED 100,000 over 3 years, not counting the eliminated security risk from ghost accounts.
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FAQ
What does SSO actually change?
A single secure login grants access to every authorised app. Users no longer memorise 6 passwords, and the help desk stops resetting them on loop — hence the 70 % drop in tickets.
Keycloak or Auth0: which to choose?
Keycloak (self-hosted, free licence) is cheaper long-term but needs ops. Auth0 or Entra ID (managed) cost a recurring fee but remove all maintenance. The choice depends on your internal IT team.
Is MFA essential?
Yes for any sensitive business app. Two-factor (SMS, authenticator app, key) blocks almost all stolen-password attacks. Keycloak includes it; managed offers sometimes charge extra.
What is automatic provisioning?
Automatic creation and removal of access based on HR status. When an employee leaves, their access to all apps is cut instantly — ending ghost accounts, the main SME security gap.
How long to deploy SSO?
Expect 3 to 6 weeks depending on the number of apps and protocols (OIDC is fast, SAML slower). Most of the time goes into per-app integration, not the identity server itself.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of apps to connect, your user volume and your self-hosted or managed preference and we'll price the SSO integration. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
