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Head-to-head · Single Sign-On Software

Google Cloud Identity vs Zoho Directory

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Google Cloud Identity #4 in Single Sign-On Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Google Cloud
Zoho Directory #8 in Single Sign-On Software 8.6/10 Free plan · 45-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Zoho Directory

Google Cloud Identity leads on 0 checks, Zoho Directory on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Cloud Identity · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Zoho Directory
  • Most featuresZoho Directory · 2 of 2

Google Cloud Identity scores higher on our rubric for single sign-on software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Google Cloud Identity is the better fit for google and mixed-directory environments. Zoho Directory is the better fit for small teams wanting low-cost application SSO.

  • Google Cloud Identity fits best

    Google and mixed-directory environments

  • Zoho Directory fits best

    Small teams wanting low-cost application SSO

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Side by side

Feature Google Cloud Identity 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Zoho Directory 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #4 in Single Sign-On Software #8 in Single Sign-On Software
Best for Google and mixed-directory environments Small teams wanting low-cost application SSO
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $6/user/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 45 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, Android, iOS Web, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 8 integrations
Features Google Cloud Identity 1/2 · Zoho Directory 2/2
Built-in MFA Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Adaptive access ✓ ✓
Specs
SSO protocols SAML, OIDC SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), JWT
Directory integrations Not checked yet Microsoft Active Directory, Azure AD, LDAP
Lifecycle provisioning Not checked yet Scim
Prebuilt app count Not checked yet 350
Our review
Pros
  • SAML and OIDC SSO with Active Directory and Entra federation
  • Free edition includes core identity, SSO, MFA, and endpoint management
  • Premium adds lifecycle provisioning and Context-Aware Access
  • Free plan includes SSO, MFA, provisioning, and conditional access
  • Supports 350 prebuilt apps plus custom SAML 2.0 and OIDC apps
  • SCIM, API provisioning, directory sync, and adaptive access support
Cons
  • Free edition provides 50 user licenses by default
  • Advanced capabilities require a paid Premium plan
  • Flexible Premium billing costs more per user than annual billing
  • Free plan is limited to 10 users and 3 applications
  • Custom provisioning and custom access policies start on Standard
  • Cloud LDAP and Cloud RADIUS are unlimited only on Professional
Our verdict

Google Cloud Identity is a cloud-based identity and access platform for organizations managing users, groups, applications, and endpoints. It suits teams that need SAML or OIDC single sign-on alongside Google Workspace, Active Directory,…

Read the review →

Zoho Directory is a workforce identity and access management platform for organizations managing employee identities, application access, authentication, and security policies. It is suited to small teams that need application SSO without…

Read the review →
  1. Google Cloud IdentitySingle Sign-On Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Zoho DirectorySingle Sign-On Software 8.6Free plan · 45-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Cloud Identity — where it wins

    • SAML and OIDC SSO with Active Directory and Entra federation
    • Free edition includes core identity, SSO, MFA, and endpoint management
    • Premium adds lifecycle provisioning and Context-Aware Access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free edition provides 50 user licenses by default
    • Advanced capabilities require a paid Premium plan
    • Flexible Premium billing costs more per user than annual billing

  • Zoho Directory — where it wins

    • Free plan includes SSO, MFA, provisioning, and conditional access
    • Supports 350 prebuilt apps plus custom SAML 2.0 and OIDC apps
    • SCIM, API provisioning, directory sync, and adaptive access support

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 10 users and 3 applications
    • Custom provisioning and custom access policies start on Standard
    • Cloud LDAP and Cloud RADIUS are unlimited only on Professional

More comparisons

All single Sign-On software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update