Entra ID is the identity system behind most Microsoft cloud accounts. When someone signs in to Microsoft 365, Teams, or Azure, Entra ID checks who they are and what they may access. It provides single sign-on to thousands of third-party apps, manages users and groups, and supports multi-factor authentication, passwordless sign-in with passkeys and authenticator apps, and device registration.
The security features are a key reason companies use it. Conditional Access policies decide when to allow, block, or challenge sign-ins based on conditions such as location, device health, and risk level. Identity Protection uses machine learning to detect risky sign-ins and compromised accounts, and governance tools handle access reviews, entitlement management, and privileged access. It extends to customers and partners through external identity features, and increasingly to non-human identities such as apps and AI agents.
Entra ID has a free tier included with Microsoft cloud subscriptions, and paid plans, P1 and P2, add advanced security and governance features. It is deeply tied to the Microsoft ecosystem, which is an advantage for companies that use it and a limit for others. Okta, Auth0, Ping Identity, and Google Cloud Identity are the main alternatives. Misconfiguration is a common risk, so identity teams often follow Microsoft’s security baselines.