WorkOS vs Zed — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
WorkOS starts at $125/mo. Zed starts at $10/mo. Zed is $115/mo cheaper on the entry tier than WorkOS.
Enterprise-ready authentication + user management, positioned as the alternative to building SSO/SCIM/directory sync from scratch. Distinctive per-connection pricing model — $125/mo per SSO connection (vs Clerk's bundled 1 free SSO on Pro). AuthKit free for first 1M users. Popular with B2B SaaS that need to close enterprise deals requiring SAML, SCIM, and audit logs — the "unlock enterprise revenue" tool.
Open-source, high-performance code editor with AI features built in. Written in Rust with GPU-accelerated UI. Zed core is free and open source; Zed Pro adds premium AI models + higher usage limits at $20/user/mo. Business plan at $50/user/mo adds team features. Positioned as the fast-native alternative to Electron-based editors (Cursor, VS Code) for developers who care about performance.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | WorkOS monthly | WorkOS annual | Zed monthly | Zed annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | AuthKit Free / Personal | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | SSO / Pro | $125 | $125 | $10 | $10 |
| Mid tier | Directory Sync / — | $125 | $125 | — | — |
| Pro / power | Audit Logs / — | $125 | $125 | — | — |
| Teams | — / Business | — | — | $30 | $30 |
| Enterprise | Custom Domains / — | $99 | $99 | — | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
WorkOS is worth it if… B2B SaaS companies (Series A-Series D) that need to add enterprise features (SSO, SCIM, audit logs, admin portal) to their product — particularly to close enterprise deals that require SAML/OIDC. Startup tier covers small SaaS; Enterprise for high-volume with custom pricing.
Zed is worth it if… developers who want a fast-native code editor that feels sub-16ms on every action, with AI features that don't slow it down. Free tier is a real editor (not a demo); Pro at $20/user/mo unlocks Claude Opus and other premium models.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose WorkOS over Zed if…
Choose WorkOS if…
- You're comfortable with WorkOS's from $125/mo entry point.
- You match the profile WorkOS is built for: B2B SaaS companies (Series A-Series D) that need to add enterprise features (SSO, SCIM, audit logs, admin portal) to their product — particularly to close enterprise deals that require SAML/OIDC.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Zed if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $10/mo).
- You match the profile Zed is built for: developers who want a fast-native code editor that feels sub-16ms on every action, with AI features that don't slow it down.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| WorkOS | Zed | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Entry price | $125/mo | $10/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | No |
| Pricing model | — | Per Seat |
| Verification | Pricing under review | Checked September 28, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 28, 2026. Tracked daily.