The verdict in three sentences
Wiring enterprise SSO (SAML or OIDC via Azure AD, Okta) with MFA and role management costs 6,000 to 18,000 EUR as a custom integration. A managed platform (Auth0, Clerk, Cognito) reduces setup but charges 0.02 to 0.50 EUR per monthly active user, which becomes expensive at scale. The typical timeline is 3 to 6 weeks, and the real gain is compliance plus a drastic reduction in account-takeover risk.
Authentication options and costs
The choice depends on user count, the need for enterprise SSO, and your tolerance for vendor lock-in.
| Auth option | Setup cost (EUR) | Recurring cost | Security level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom SAML/OIDC SSO | 6,000 - 18,000 | ~50 EUR/mo hosting | High |
| Auth0 (managed) | 2,000 - 6,000 | 0.03 - 0.50 EUR/active user/mo | High |
| Clerk (managed) | 1,500 - 5,000 | 0.02 - 0.10 EUR/user/mo | High |
| AWS Cognito | 2,000 - 7,000 | ~0.015 EUR/user/mo | High |
| MFA only (TOTP/SMS) | 2,500 - 6,000 | 0 - 0.05 EUR/SMS | Medium to high |
| Role management (RBAC) | 3,000 - 8,000 | included | — |
Custom build or managed platform
The switch-over threshold is calculated on monthly active users (MAU). Here is the 2026 trade-off.
| Criterion | Custom SSO | Managed platform |
|---|---|---|
| Cost at 500 MAU/yr | ~600 EUR (hosting) | 180 - 3,000 EUR |
| Cost at 20,000 MAU/yr | ~600 EUR | 4,800 - 120,000 EUR |
| Time to market | 3-6 wks | 1-3 wks |
| Compliance-ready (SOC2, GDPR) | To build | Provided |
| Vendor lock-in | None | High |
| Break-even | High volumes | Low/medium volumes |
Mini case study
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Karim, CIO of a services group in Dubai, deploys a business app for 1,800 employees already on Azure AD. He compares Auth0 (at ~0.20 EUR/active user/month = 4,320 EUR/year) with a custom SAML SSO integration at 14,000 EUR (setup) + 600 EUR/year hosting. From year 4, custom becomes cheaper, and he removes vendor lock-in. He picks custom: the SSO also eliminates 1,200 password resets/year at support (about 12 EUR each), saving 14,400 EUR annually.
FAQ
SAML or OIDC for enterprise SSO? OIDC (built on OAuth2) is more modern and suited to web/mobile apps; SAML remains essential for many enterprise directories. A good integration supports both, for 6,000 to 18,000 EUR.
When does a managed platform get more expensive? Beyond 5,000 to 10,000 active users, the per-MAU cost (0.02-0.50 EUR) quickly exceeds a custom build amortized over 3 to 4 years.
Is MFA mandatory? Not legally everywhere, but it blocks over 99% of identity-takeover attacks; its cost (2,500-6,000 EUR) is negligible against the risk.
What timeline to integrate SSO? Budget 3 to 6 weeks depending on the identity provider (Azure AD, Okta) and role-management complexity.
Can I migrate from Auth0 to custom later? Yes, by isolating authentication behind a standard OIDC layer; migration then costs 4,000 to 10,000 EUR instead of a rebuild.
Let's scope your project. Specify your identity provider, active user count, and MFA/RBAC requirements for a quote between 6,000 and 18,000 EUR. 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.
