KnowBe4 vs Okta: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editorยท12 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing KnowBe4 and Okta in 2026, KnowBe4 is the stronger choice for companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks due to best-in-class phishing simulations. Okta excels for organizations needing secure sso and identity management across all apps with industry-leading iam. KnowBe4 offers Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training starting at $18/user/yr. Okta provides Single Sign-On, MFA, Lifecycle management from $2/user/mo. For teams prioritizing value, KnowBe4 delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 71/100. KnowBe4 and Okta compete in the cybersecurity segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading cybersecurity tools include 1Password, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike Falcon. KnowBe4 serves 65K+ orgs users globally (founded 2010) while Okta reports 18K+ orgs active users (founded 2009).

KnowBe4 vs Okta at a Glance

KnowBe4
Okta
Starting Price
$18/user/yr
$2/user/mo
Free Plan
No
No
User Rating
4.6/5
4.5/5
Best For
Companies training employees to recognize and avoi...
Organizations needing secure SSO and identity mana...
Users
65K+ orgs
18K+ orgs
Founded
2010
2009
hiltonsoftware Score
71/100
69/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐ŸŽ“
KnowBe4
Cybersecurity
71
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ”‘
Okta
Cybersecurity
69
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between KnowBe4 and Okta?

KnowBe4 and Okta differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. KnowBe4 leads in 6 of 7 categories.

KnowBe4Okta
82Ease of Use81
80Features77
63Value for Money62
69Customer Support70
66Integrations62
65Scalability63
69Learning Curve65

What are the pros and cons of KnowBe4 vs Okta?

KnowBe4
+Best-in-class phishing simulations
+Huge training content library
-Phishing tests can frustrate employees
-Admin portal has quirks
Okta
+Industry-leading IAM
+Massive app integration catalog
-Expensive for smaller orgs
-Configuration can be complex

Which is better, KnowBe4 or Okta?

After evaluating KnowBe4 and Okta across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, KnowBe4 earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 71/100 versus Okta at 69/100. KnowBe4 stands out for "best-in-class phishing simulations" and "huge training content library". Okta delivers competitive advantages in "industry-leading iam", making Okta a viable alternative.

Neither KnowBe4 nor Okta offers a free plan. KnowBe4 starts at $18/user/yr and Okta at $2/user/mo.

Bottom line: Choose KnowBe4 for companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Choose Okta for organizations needing secure sso and identity management across all apps. Both KnowBe4 and Okta are established cybersecurity platforms.

CHOOSE KNOWBE4 IF:

Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks.

CHOOSE OKTA IF:

Organizations needing secure SSO and identity management across all apps.

KnowBe4 vs Okta: Frequently Asked Questions

Is KnowBe4 better than Okta in 2026?
KnowBe4 outperforms Okta in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 71/100 compared to 69/100. KnowBe4 excels in Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training, making KnowBe4 the better choice for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Okta is the stronger option for Organizations needing secure SSO and identity management across all apps due to industry-leading iam. For teams needing phishing simulations, hiltonsoftware.co recommends KnowBe4.
How does KnowBe4 pricing compare to Okta in 2026?
KnowBe4 starts at $18/user/yr with no free tier. Okta starts at $2/user/mo without a free plan. KnowBe4 includes features like Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training. Okta provides Single Sign-On, MFA, Lifecycle management. KnowBe4 serves 65K+ orgs users while Okta serves 18K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between KnowBe4 and Okta?
KnowBe4 specializes in Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training, earning a 71/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Okta focuses on Single Sign-On, MFA, Lifecycle management, scoring 69/100. KnowBe4 is best for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Okta is best for Organizations needing secure SSO and identity management across all apps. Both KnowBe4 and Okta serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from KnowBe4 to Okta?
Migrating from KnowBe4 to Okta is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Export data from KnowBe4 and verify Okta import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training (KnowBe4) versus Single Sign-On, MFA, Lifecycle management (Okta). Running both KnowBe4 and Okta in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is KnowBe4 or Okta better for small business?
Both KnowBe4 and Okta require paid plans (KnowBe4: $18/user/yr, Okta: $2/user/mo). KnowBe4 (71/100) is ideal for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Okta (69/100) fits Organizations needing secure SSO and identity management across all apps. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editor. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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