The verdict in three sentences
Implementing SSO (SAML/OIDC) in a B2B application costs EUR 6,000 to 15,000 in 2026, with an additional EUR 3,000 to 7,000 for MFA and fine-grained role management, over a 4-to-8-week timeline. The decisive question isn't the upfront price but the build-vs-managed choice (Auth0, Clerk, WorkOS) billed at EUR 0.02 to 0.15 per monthly active user. Without SSO, an enterprise deal is simply out of reach: it's usually a mandatory checkbox in the RFP.
Build in-house or use a managed service
Building auth in-house looks cheaper - until you must maintain SAML, OIDC, key rotation, and SCIM (automatic provisioning). A managed service absorbs that complexity for a per-user cost.
| Criterion | In-house build | Managed (Auth0/Clerk/WorkOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 12,000 - 25,000 | EUR 6,000 - 12,000 (integration) |
| Recurring cost | Maintenance ~10-20 days/yr | EUR 0.02 - 0.15/MAU/month |
| SAML + OIDC | To build and maintain | Included |
| SCIM (provisioning) | EUR 8,000 - 15,000 more | Included / add-on |
| Timeline | 8 - 14 weeks | 4 - 6 weeks |
| Security risk | On you | Pooled, certified |
For most B2B vendors, the managed service wins: it shortens enterprise time-to-deal and outsources the risk. In-house build only makes sense at very large scale or under sovereignty constraints.
Cost by number of users
A managed service's recurring cost depends on monthly active users (MAU) and enterprise features (SSO, SCIM). Here's a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Monthly active users | Managed (base) | Managed (enterprise SSO + SCIM) | In-house (amortized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MAU | EUR 25 - 75/mo | EUR 150 - 300/mo | ~EUR 300/mo |
| 2,000 MAU | EUR 100 - 300/mo | EUR 400 - 800/mo | ~EUR 350/mo |
| 10,000 MAU | EUR 400 - 1,200/mo | EUR 1,500 - 3,000/mo | ~EUR 500/mo |
| 50,000 MAU | EUR 2,000 - 6,000/mo | EUR 6,000 - 12,000/mo | ~EUR 900/mo |
At high volume, in-house becomes competitive again; below 10,000 MAU, managed is almost always the best cost/risk ratio.
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Mini case study
Sofiane, CPO of a project-management SaaS in Bordeaux (3,500 MAU), gets a SAML SSO requirement from an enterprise worth EUR 60,000/year ARR. He picks a managed service: integration at EUR 9,000 + MFA and roles at EUR 4,000, 6-week timeline, then about EUR 550/month (enterprise SSO). Year-1 cost: EUR 13,000 + 6,600 = EUR 19,600 to unlock EUR 60,000 of ARR, plus 2 other prospects who also required SSO. An equivalent in-house build would have cost over EUR 25,000 upfront and 3 months - missing the signing window.
FAQ
Are SSO and MFA the same thing? No: SSO lets the user log in via their company directory (Azure AD, Okta); MFA adds a second factor (code, app, key). Enterprises often require both.
Why is SSO an enterprise prerequisite? Because IT wants to cut access instantly when an employee leaves, via their central directory. Without SSO, your app is a security blind spot they'll refuse to deploy.
What is SCIM and should you plan for it? SCIM automates account creation/removal from the client directory. Very large enterprises require it; budget EUR 8,000-15,000 more in a build, often included in managed.
How long to ship SSO? From 4 to 8 weeks with a managed service, 8 to 14 weeks in-house. Anticipate that lead time as soon as an enterprise prospect enters your pipeline.
Can you migrate from in-house to managed later? Yes, but migrating accounts and passwords requires a dedicated project (EUR 5,000-15,000). Better to pick the right foundation upfront based on your trajectory.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your MAU volume, the required protocol (SAML/OIDC), and the deal deadline, and we'll price build vs managed for your case. 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.
