Identity & access management · AWS vs Google Cloud
AWS IAM Identity Center vs Cloud Identity / Workforce Identity Federation
IAM Identity Center maps to Cloud Identity (users, groups, 2-Step Verification, and SSO) or Workforce Identity Federation, which lets users from an external IdP sign in without account sync.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Service | AWS IAM Identity Center | Cloud Identity Workforce Identity Federation |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available Generally available |
| What it is | Workforce sign-in and single sign-on to AWS accounts (through permission sets) and applications, using its own directory or an external IdP such as Microsoft Entra ID or Okta. | Google identity service for users and groups, with free and premium editions, 2-Step Verification, and SSO. Lets users from an external IdP access Google Cloud with SSO, without syncing accounts. |
| Pricing model | Free. | Cloud Identity has free and premium editions; Workforce Identity Federation has no separate charge listed. |
| Docs | AWS IAM Identity Center docs | Cloud Identity docs Workforce Identity Federation docs |
| Pricing page | AWS IAM Identity Center pricing | — |
Key differences
- Cloud Identity can also act as an IdP for third-party SAML apps.
- Workforce Identity Federation is sync-less; Cloud Identity can sync from Active Directory or another IdP.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Free. AWS IAM Identity Center pricing →
- GCP
- Cloud Identity has free and premium editions; Workforce Identity Federation has no separate charge listed.
And on Azure?
Direct match Azure's equivalent is Microsoft Entra ID. AWS vs Azure comparison →
FAQ
What is the Google Cloud equivalent of AWS IAM Identity Center?
IAM Identity Center maps to Cloud Identity (users, groups, 2-Step Verification, and SSO) or Workforce Identity Federation, which lets users from an external IdP sign in without account sync.
How does pricing compare between AWS IAM Identity Center and Cloud Identity and Workforce Identity Federation?
AWS: Free. Google Cloud: Cloud Identity has free and premium editions; Workforce Identity Federation has no separate charge listed. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
What is the Azure equivalent?
Microsoft Entra ID (direct match). AWS IAM Identity Center maps to Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on, with Entra MFA and Conditional Access.