Common Cloud Subscription Management Services and Their Security Features

Many cloud platforms offer basic functionality for free but reserve advanced security features like SSO and MFA for premium tiers to incentivize upgrades while balancing accessibility and revenue.

1. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)
   • Free Tier: Includes basic identity management and a limited version of MFA for certain scenarios (e.g., security defaults for admins). SSO is available for Microsoft 365 apps but limited in scope.
   • Paid Plans:
     • Microsoft Entra ID P1 (part of Microsoft 365 Business Premium or standalone): Adds full MFA for all users, conditional access policies, and SSO for a broader range of cloud apps beyond Microsoft’s ecosystem.
     • Microsoft Entra ID P2: Enhances security with advanced identity protection, privileged identity management, and risk-based conditional access, all requiring a paid subscription.
   • Why Paid?: Comprehensive MFA deployment and SSO integration with non-Microsoft apps require licensing to cover infrastructure and support costs.
2. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
   • Free Tier: Basic IAM functionality (user roles, permissions) is free, but MFA is limited to manual setup for root accounts and IAM users without advanced integrations. SSO is not included natively.
   • Paid Plans:
     • AWS SSO (now AWS IAM Identity Center): Included with some AWS Organizations plans, it requires a paid tier for full SSO across AWS accounts and third-party apps. MFA enforcement across all users also ties into paid features like Amazon Cognito for customer-facing apps.
   • Why Paid?: SSO and scalable MFA require additional compute resources and integration capabilities not viable in the free tier.
3. Google Workspace
   • Free Tier: No free tier exists for business use; personal Google accounts offer basic 2FA but lack SSO.
   • Paid Plans:
     • Business Starter: Basic MFA (2FA) is included, but SSO via SAML or OAuth requires Business Plus or higher.
     • Business Plus/Enterprise: Adds advanced MFA options (e.g., security keys) and full SSO support for third-party apps.
   • Why Paid?: Enterprise-grade SSO and MFA require server-side support and customization not feasible in lower-cost plans.
4. Salesforce
   • Free Tier: Limited to developer editions with basic login security; no native SSO or MFA.
   • Paid Plans:
     • Essentials: Basic MFA included as of 2022 mandate, but SSO requires Professional or higher.
     • Enterprise/Unlimited: Full SSO (SAML-based) and advanced MFA options (e.g., authenticator apps, security keys) are standard.
   • Why Paid?: SSO integration and robust MFA enforcement need additional identity management resources.
5. Okta (Identity Management Platform)
   • Free Tier: Limited to a developer account with basic SSO for a few apps; MFA is minimal.
   • Paid Plans:
     • Single Sign-On Plan: SSO across unlimited apps with basic MFA.
     • Adaptive MFA Plan: Adds risk-based MFA and broader SSO capabilities.
   • Why Paid?: Okta’s business model relies on premium identity services, reserving advanced security for paid tiers.
6. JumpCloud
   • Free Tier: Up to 10 users with basic SSO and MFA (e.g., TOTP, push notifications).
   • Paid Plans:
     • SSO or MFA Add-Ons: Full SSO with SAML/SCIM and advanced MFA (e.g., biometrics, hardware tokens) require a paid plan beyond the 10-user limit.
   • Why Paid?: Scaling security features to larger organizations demands additional infrastructure.
7. OneLogin
   • Free Tier: None for business use; trials offer temporary access.
   • Paid Plans:
     • Advanced: Includes SSO and basic MFA.
     • Enterprise: Adds adaptive MFA and broader SSO integrations.
   • Why Paid?: Comprehensive security features are core to OneLogin’s paid offerings.

General Trends and Observations

• SSO: Typically requires a paid plan because it involves integrating with third-party apps via protocols like SAML or OAuth, necessitating server-side support, maintenance, and vendor partnerships. Free tiers often limit SSO to a small number of apps or exclude it entirely.
• MFA: Basic MFA (e.g., SMS, email OTP) is increasingly included in free or low-tier plans due to security demands, but advanced options (biometrics, hardware tokens, adaptive policies) are gated behind paid subscriptions to offset development and operational costs.
• Paid Requirement Rationale: Cloud providers incur costs for scalability, compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), and support. Advanced security features also appeal to enterprise customers willing to pay for enhanced protection.

In cloud subscription management, SSO and MFA often require paid plans when they extend beyond basic functionality—such as integrating with multiple apps, enforcing advanced authentication methods, or scaling to large user bases. Providers like Microsoft, AWS, Google, Salesforce, Okta, JumpCloud, and OneLogin follow this model, with free tiers offering limited security and paid tiers unlocking robust features. For the most current specifics, you’d need to check each provider’s pricing page, as plans evolve with market demands and security trends.