The verdict in three sentences
Adding SAML/OIDC SSO and MFA to an enterprise platform costs between USD 6,000 and USD 18,000 in Toronto in 2026, depending on provisioning and connector count. This is not a nice-to-have: it is the requirement the client's CISO sets before approving the purchase of your software. The real trade-off is between in-house auth (low upfront, security debt) and a managed brick like Auth0/WorkOS at USD 250-1,500/month.
What an SSO/MFA integration costs in 2026
Price depends on protocols (SAML, OIDC), automatic provisioning (SCIM), the number of IdPs to support (Azure AD, Okta, Google) and roles to map. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Scope | Contents | Timeline | 2026 cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFA only | TOTP + SMS/app, recovery | 1-2 weeks | 3,000 - 6,000 |
| Basic OIDC SSO | One IdP, login/logout | 2-3 weeks | 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Enterprise SAML SSO | Multi-IdP, role mapping | 3-5 weeks | 8,000 - 14,000 |
| SSO + SCIM provisioning | Auto create/deactivate | 4-6 weeks | 12,000 - 18,000 |
| Audit + hardening | Sessions, tokens, logs | 1-2 weeks | 3,000 - 7,000 |
Expect a 3 to 6 week timeline for a full enterprise SAML SSO with role mapping, the trickiest part being edge cases (user deactivated on the IdP side, multiple roles).
In-house auth vs managed brick: the 3-year math
The question is not only upfront cost but total cost of ownership, including maintenance and security risk.
| Criterion | In-house auth | Auth0 / WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront integration cost | USD 8,000 - 18,000 | USD 6,000 - 12,000 |
| Recurring cost | Internal maintenance | USD 250 - 1,500/month |
| SOC2 / SSO compliance | Build it | Native / certified |
| Time-to-market | 4-6 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Security risk | High if unaudited | Delegated to vendor |
| 3-year cost (estimate) | USD 25,000 - 45,000 | USD 20,000 - 66,000 |
For a vendor targeting enterprise quickly, a managed brick speeds time-to-market and reassures the CISO; in-house auth mainly pays off at high user volume or to avoid per-seat billing.
Mini case study
Michael, CTO of a SaaS scale-up in Toronto, wants to close a banking group. The CISO demands SAML SSO with Azure AD and SCIM provisioning. He integrates WorkOS: USD 9,000 of dev over 4 weeks, then USD 600/month subscription. The deal unlocks: USD 90,000 ARR. Over 3 years, total SSO cost is about USD 30,600, against USD 270,000 of recurring revenue secured by this single client. SSO is not a cost; it is a commercial prerequisite paid back on the first signature.
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FAQ
SAML or OIDC?
Legacy enterprise accounts often demand SAML (Azure AD, Okta). OIDC is more modern and enough for many cases. An enterprise platform should ideally support both.
Is SCIM provisioning essential?
Not always, but it is strongly requested by enterprises: it automates account creation and, crucially, deactivation, a critical security point.
In-house auth or external vendor?
To move fast and reassure a CISO, a managed brick (Auth0, WorkOS) is often the best choice. In-house auth pays off at very high volume to control per-user cost.
Is MFA alone enough?
MFA protects accounts but does not replace the SSO enterprises require to centralize identity management. The two are complementary.
What timeline should I plan?
Expect 2-4 weeks with a managed brick, 3-6 weeks for in-house SAML SSO with role mapping and edge-case handling.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your platform, the IdPs to support, SCIM needs and your commercial deadline, and we will scope the right SSO/MFA 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.
