Master WorkOS with our step-by-step tutorial, detailed feature walkthrough, and expert tips.
Sign up for free WorkOS account at workos.com and create your first application in the dashboard to receive API keys and client credentials Install the WorkOS SDK for your preferred language (Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go, .NET, PHP, or Java) and configure it with your API keys from the dashboard Implement AuthKit authentication flow by integrating the pre
built UI components or using the API to build custom authentication flows that handle signup, signin, and profile management Configure enterprise SSO connections through the Admin Portal or API by adding your first SAML or OIDC identity provider and testing the authentication flow in your application Set up webhook endpoints to handle user lifecycle events and authentication activities, then deploy to production with staging environment testing completed
💡 Quick Start: Follow these 2 steps in order to get up and running with WorkOS quickly.
Explore the key features that make WorkOS powerful for security & access workflows.
Production-ready SAML and OIDC single sign-on supporting all major identity providers with automatic edge case handling, certificate rotation management, and multi-tenant configuration capabilities.
Enabling Fortune 500 prospects to connect their Okta or Azure AD instance to your SaaS application through automated setup flows that complete in minutes instead of weeks.
Unified authentication solution combining enterprise SSO with modern consumer auth patterns including social login, magic links, MFA, passkeys, and traditional email/password flows.
Starting with Google social login for early users and seamlessly upgrading to enterprise SSO for large customers without rebuilding authentication infrastructure.
Real-time user lifecycle management through SCIM 2.0 integration with enterprise HR systems, automatically provisioning and deprovisioning users based on organizational changes.
Automatically creating user accounts when employees join a customer's team and deactivating access when they leave, eliminating manual user management overhead.
White-labeled, embeddable portal enabling enterprise IT administrators to configure SSO connections, directory sync settings, and organization policies without developer involvement.
Reducing enterprise onboarding from weeks of back-and-forth support tickets to self-service configuration that IT admins complete independently in their own time.
Sophisticated permission engine based on Google's Zanzibar model, enabling complex authorization patterns like RBAC, ABAC, and relationship-based access control with embedded token decisions.
Implementing document permission systems where users have different access levels based on their role, team membership, document sensitivity, and organizational hierarchy.
Comprehensive activity tracking with structured event logging, real-time SIEM integration, flexible export capabilities, and compliance-ready audit trails for enterprise security requirements.
Providing enterprise customers with detailed audit logs of all user actions and administrative changes to meet SOC 2, ISO 27001, and industry-specific compliance requirements.
WorkOS is specifically designed for B2B SaaS companies needing enterprise readiness features, while Auth0 is a broader identity platform. WorkOS offers superior enterprise onboarding with the self-service Admin Portal, more predictable pricing aligned with B2B growth, and deeper specialization in features like SCIM directory sync. Auth0 provides broader identity management capabilities but may be over-engineered for B2B SaaS focused primarily on enterprise customer needs.
WorkOS offers a generous free tier that includes AuthKit for up to 1 million monthly active users, basic SSO connections, and directory sync capabilities. Enterprise features like additional SSO connections, advanced audit logging, and premium support are priced per connection. This model allows startups to integrate enterprise features early and only pay as they close enterprise deals, aligning costs with revenue.
Most development teams integrate WorkOS SSO in 1-2 days using the provided SDKs and comprehensive documentation. The initial API integration typically takes 4-8 hours for experienced developers. The self-service Admin Portal means customers can configure their own SSO connections without involving your engineering team, dramatically reducing ongoing integration overhead.
For B2B SaaS applications, WorkOS can serve as a complete replacement with AuthKit providing all standard authentication methods plus enterprise SSO. Some teams use WorkOS alongside existing auth providers, leveraging WorkOS specifically for enterprise features while maintaining their current setup for basic authentication. The migration path depends on your specific requirements and customer base.
WorkOS maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance, supports GDPR requirements, and provides the audit logging and security controls needed for ISO 27001 compliance. The platform includes enterprise-grade encryption, comprehensive audit trails, and security features that help customers meet their own compliance requirements when evaluating SaaS vendors.
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Tutorial updated March 2026