Is smallstep worth the price?
Smallstep's Enterprise-only pricing, with custom quotes, positions it as an expensive solution, especially for smaller organizations.
While the features are robust for zero-trust, the lack of transparent pricing or lower tiers makes it inaccessible for many. This model is best suited for large enterprises with complex security needs and significant budgets.
Pricing Plans
Enterprise
Custom
- Device attestation
- SSH certificates
- Certificate-based Wi-Fi
- VPN and ZTNA
- Workload identity
- Enterprise support
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Custom pricing means potential high negotiation
No public pricing, difficult to budget
Requires significant internal security expertise
Integration costs with existing infrastructure
Which Plan Do You Need?
Large enterprises needing zero-trust
Organizations with strict compliance needs
Companies requiring advanced certificate management
How smallstep Compares to Competitors
Compared to solutions like Okta (which offers various tiers starting around $2-$15/user/month for identity features) or JumpCloud (with plans starting around $19/user/month for directory and device management), Smallstep's custom Enterprise pricing is likely significantly higher. Its focus on certificate management and device attestation is more specialized, but the lack of transparent pricing makes direct comparison difficult, suggesting it targets a premium segment.
smallstep Pricing FAQ
How much does smallstep cost?
smallstep uses custom pricing. Contact smallstep directly for a quote based on your team size and requirements.
Does smallstep have a free plan?
smallstep does not offer a permanent free plan. Paid plans are required from day one.
Is there a cheaper alternative to smallstep?
Yes. Popular alternatives to smallstep include Auth0, Ory, Zitadel, Hanko. Free alternatives include Auth0, Ory, Zitadel. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to smallstep
5 of 5 direct competitors below offer a free plan. Per-seat pricing varies up to 60% across this set.
