Microsoft Entra External ID
Microsoft cloud CIAM
Microsoft's customer identity offering — the successor to Azure AD B2C, integrated with Entra and Azure.
At a glance
- Category
- Microsoft cloud CIAM
- Ownership
- Microsoft
- Founded
- GA 2024 (succeeds Azure AD B2C)
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Pricing
- MAU-based via Azure billing; free monthly active-user allowance
- Experience
- Platform / enterprise
- Segments
- B2B SaaS · Ecommerce · Public sector
Overview
Microsoft Entra External ID is Microsoft's CIAM product for customer and partner identity, succeeding Azure AD B2C. It provides social and local sign-in, MFA, and conditional access, with deep integration into the Microsoft Entra and Azure platform.
Best for
Organizations already standardized on Microsoft Azure/Entra that want customer identity within the same ecosystem and billing.
Consider alternatives if
You want a developer-first experience outside the Microsoft stack, or simpler setup than the Azure platform implies.
Capabilities
- SSO (SAML / OIDC) ✓
- SCIM provisioning —
- Multi-factor auth ✓
- Passwordless / passkeys —
- Social login ✓
- Self-hosted option —
Capability flags are directional, for shortlisting — verify against current vendor documentation before a decision.
Strengths
- Deep integration with Microsoft Entra, Azure, and Conditional Access
- Backed by Microsoft's enterprise scale and compliance
- Consolidated billing for Azure-centric organizations
- Strong policy and security controls
Considerations
- Best value is realized inside the Microsoft ecosystem
- Configuration complexity of the Azure platform
- Migration path from the older Azure AD B2C generation
- Less developer-first than the API-native platforms
How it compares
Related reading
This profile is editorial and independent. Microsoft Entra External ID's directory listing is free — no placement here is paid, and sponsorship never buys a better verdict. Our neutrality charter.
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