Audyense
Google Cloud Identity
IT & Security · cloud.google.com/identity
Overview
Cloud Identity is Google's standalone identity-as-a-service offering: a single Admin console for managing user accounts, endpoints, and access to Google and third-party SaaS applications, usable independently of Google Workspace.
The problem Google Cloud Identity solves
Growing companies often end up managing identities in one tool, endpoint/device policy in a separate MDM product, and SSO/provisioning in a third IdP, multiplying admin overhead and creating visibility gaps. Cloud Identity consolidates directory management, SAML SSO, MFA, and endpoint management into the same Google Admin console, so IT can run a functional identity and device-security stack for free at small scale and add Zero Trust access controls as the organization grows into Premium.
Decision context
Use these points to test whether the product fits your operation, not just whether it has a long feature list.
- Published starting price: Free. Confirm user, usage, and feature limits for the plan you would actually buy.
- Deployment: cloud. Check security, data-residency, and access requirements for every team that will use it.
- Verified integrations include Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, Dropbox, Box, Asana. Validate sync direction and plan limits for the connections that matter.
- This record was last checked on 8/1/2026; pricing and features can change.
How to evaluate Google Cloud Identity
A listing helps create a shortlist; a trial with the team’s real workflow decides whether the tool fits. Use this reading with the structured facts and confirm changes with the vendor.
Workflow fit
The record describes it as a fit for Organizations standardized on Google Workspace that want unified identity, SSO, and device management without a separate IdP, Small teams needing free SSO, MFA, and basic device management for up to 50 users, Businesses wanting Google's BeyondCorp-style Zero Trust context-aware access under Premium. Check that this context matches the volume, roles, and processes your team needs it to support.
Pilot questions
- Can Google Cloud Identity complete the critical workflow without manual work outside the product?
- Do the recorded connections (Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, Dropbox) support the sync direction, permissions, and volume we need?
- What user, usage, storage, support, or security limits appear after the headline starting price?
Evidence and freshness
This record was checked on 8/1/2026. That date tells you when the record was reviewed, not that the vendor has left its terms unchanged since then.
Best for
- Organizations standardized on Google Workspace that want unified identity, SSO, and device management without a separate IdP
- Small teams needing free SSO, MFA, and basic device management for up to 50 users
- Businesses wanting Google's BeyondCorp-style Zero Trust context-aware access under Premium
Not a fit if
- Enterprises needing deep privileged-access management, granular audit reporting, or complex hybrid AD environments
- Teams already standardized on a non-Google IdP (Okta, Microsoft Entra ID) needing broader ecosystem-neutral integrations
Why it’s listed
- Google's standalone identity-as-a-service product, usable independently of Workspace, with a genuinely free tier for up to 50 users
- Backed by Google's compliance program (SOC 2, ISO 27001/27018, HIPAA) and a 300+ app SSO catalog
- Distinctive BeyondCorp-style Zero Trust context-aware access as a Premium upgrade path
Pricing
Cloud Identity Free
FreeCore identity and endpoint management for up to 50 users at no cost, for organizations that don't need Google Workspace services.
- SSO for 300+ SAML apps
- 2-Step Verification with security keys
- Basic mobile device management
- Admin/user/SAML/OAuth audit logs
- Unlimited organizational units and groups
- Active Directory sync
Cloud Identity Premium (Annual/Fixed-Term Plan)
$6 per user/month (billed annually)Adds enterprise security, application management, and device management on a discounted annual commitment.
- Context-Aware Access
- Advanced mobile device management and zero-touch enrollment
- Security Center dashboard and investigation tools
- Automatic BigQuery log export
- 24/7 support with 99.9% SLA
- 15 GB pooled Drive storage per user
Cloud Identity Premium (Flexible Plan)
$7 per user/month (monthly, no commitment)Same Premium feature set as the annual plan, billed monthly with no long-term commitment.
- Context-Aware Access
- Advanced mobile device management and zero-touch enrollment
- Security Center dashboard and investigation tools
- Automatic BigQuery log export
- 24/7 support with 99.9% SLA
- 15 GB pooled Drive storage per user
Features
Integrations
Security & compliance
Pros & cons
Pros
- Combines directory, device, and app-access management in one Google Admin console
- Fast, familiar admin interface that's easy to pick up for teams already using Google services
- Straightforward SSO/MFA rollout across 300+ pre-integrated SAML apps with little setup
- Free edition (50 users) is a fully functional identity and basic-MDM product on its own
Cons
- Large capability and price gap between Free and Premium editions (Context-Aware Access, advanced MDM, and Security Center are Premium-only)
- Native reporting and access-visibility are limited compared to dedicated enterprise IAM/IdP platforms
- Hybrid environments syncing from on-prem Active Directory report clunky sync tooling
- Initial configuration can be confusing for smaller IT teams without a dedicated admin
What we found
G2 reviewers rate Cloud Identity 4.3/5 across 33 reviews, praising its tight integration with Google services and simple SSO/MFA setup, while flagging a steep cost and feature jump from Free to Premium.
Ratings and review counts come from public review platforms. We link to the original source and keep the underlying review text out of this profile.
User reviews
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