Descope
Descope is a no/low-code CIAM platform that enables developers to build authentication and authorization user journeys for customers, partners, and AI agents via visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs, serving thousands of organizations from startups to the Fortune 500.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersLos Altos, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Descope does
Descope, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Los Altos, California, is a privately held customer identity and access management (CIAM) software vendor that provides a no/low-code platform for building and managing authentication and authorization user journeys. The core platform is built around Descope Flows, a drag-and-drop visual workflow editor that allows developers and product teams to design, deploy, and modify signup, login, MFA, SSO, step-up authentication, and fraud prevention journeys without writing custom code. The platform is complemented by SDKs covering 15+ frontend, backend, and mobile frameworks (React, Next.js, Vue.js, Python, Node.js, Java, .NET, Go, PHP, Ruby, Kotlin, Swift, React Native, Flutter), a REST API, and integrations with 50+ third-party identity, risk, and orchestration tools. Infrastructure is hosted across AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, with data residency available in the U.S., EU, and Australia.
In 2026 Descope extended its platform into the emerging non-human identity (NHI) category with the Agentic Identity Hub, a standards-based identity infrastructure for AI agents and MCP servers that provides authentication, consent management, scoped policy-backed access, human-in-the-loop flows via CIBA, and DCR security. The platform is sold via a freemium self-serve tier (app.descope.com) and quote-based enterprise pricing, with GTM executed through product-led growth, direct enterprise field sales, and a multi-tier channel program that includes an App Dev Partner Program (launched October 2025 with launch partners iMedia, Human, and Apptware) and resellers such as NTT Data, Optiv, and Trace3. Descope has accumulated an extensive compliance posture—SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP High, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, CSA STAR Level 2, FIDO Alliance, and CCPA—and serves a customer base spanning thousands of organizations from startups to the Fortune 500, including GoFundMe, Databricks, GoodRx, Navan, Linktree, Branch, 6Sense, You.com, Cars24, Owens and Minor, and Formstack. As of mid-2026 the company remains venture-backed at the seed stage with $88M in total seed funding, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and GGV Capital, with Notable Capital, Dell Technologies Capital, Unusual Ventures, Cerca Partners, and Triventures also participating.
Descope firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Descope
- Legal name
- Descope Inc.
- Website
- https://descope.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Descope is a no/low-code CIAM platform that enables developers to build authentication and authorization user journeys for customers, partners, and AI agents via visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs, serving thousands of organizations from startups to the Fortune 500.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Descope industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM) (HDADAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms (BPAMAEAE), User Lifecycle Provisioning & SCIM Automation (HDAEAJAK), Identity & Access Security Services (IAM, PAM, Zero Trust) (BPAKAHAI)
Keywords
Where Descope is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Altos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Descope business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- SaaS Subscription (Growth Tier): The platform offers a free tier for small deployments and paid Growth tier with quote-based pricing for larger organizations. The subscription model provides continuous access to the platform with regular updates, support, and feature access.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free/Growth tier for developers and small deployments |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise tier with advanced features and support |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Descope product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Descope sells a customer and agentic identity (CIAM) platform that lets organizations build, customize, and operate authentication and authorization user journeys using a no/low-code visual workflow editor (Descope Flows), multi-language SDKs, and a REST API. The platform supports passwordless methods (passkeys, magic links, social login, One Tap, biometrics), adaptive MFA, SAML/OIDC SSO, SCIM provisioning, fine-grained authorization, and the Agentic Identity Hub for AI agents and MCP servers. It is offered on a freemium and subscription basis to developers, B2B SaaS companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises.
Product overview
Descope is a Customer and Agentic Identity Platform offering a drag-and-drop no/low-code CIAM solution. The core platform includes Descope Flows (visual workflow editor), Descope SDKs (for frontend, backend, and mobile), and a REST API. The platform supports multiple authentication methods including Passkeys, Magic Links, Social Login (Google, LinkedIn, GitHub), One Tap, MFA, SSO (SAML/OIDC), Biometrics, and traditional passwords. Key capabilities include Fine-Grained Authorization (RBAC, ReBAC, ABAC), Account Takeover Prevention, Identity Federation, SCIM Provisioning, and Identity Orchestration. The Agentic Identity Hub provides standards-based identity infrastructure specifically for AI agents and MCP servers with features for autonomous agent authentication, scoped policy-backed access, human-in-the-loop flows, and MCP authorization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Agentic Identity Hub: A platform for managing identities for autonomous AI agents and MCP servers, providing authorization, scope-based access control, consent and token management, DCR security, and more.
- Descope Flows
Products and services
- Customer and Agentic Identity Platform A drag-and-drop no/low-code Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) platform that enables organizations to create, modify, and manage authentication and authorization journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers without writing custom code. Sold to B2C apps, B2B SaaS platforms, regulated enterprises, and AI/MCP builders.
- Descope Flows No/low-code visual workflow editor for building and customizing authentication and authorization user journeys (signup, login, MFA, SSO, step-up authentication, bot protection) with drag-and-drop functionality, enabling changes without code redeploys. For developers, product, and IAM teams.
- Descope SDKs Software development kits for frontend (React, Next.js, Vue.js, JavaScript, Angular), backend (Python, Node.js, Java, .NET, Go, PHP, Ruby), and mobile (Kotlin, Swift, React Native, Flutter) development, enabling developers to embed Descope authentication into any application.
- Descope REST API REST API for authentication and user management that enables developers to handle all frontend flows and backend logic on their own, supporting custom integrations and headless use cases.
- Agentic Identity Hub Standards-based identity infrastructure purpose-built for AI agents and MCP servers, providing authentication, authorization, consent and credential management, scope-based access control, and DCR security for autonomous AI systems. Served as the basis for the 2.5 release adding CIBA-based human-in-the-loop flows and standalone MCP authorization.
Quantifiable outcome
- Organizations can set up and migrate authentication in days and weeks rather than months and years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Descope
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Descope technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability4 records
Feature9 records
Descope partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and core.
- iMediamoderateApplication development agency and launch partner for the Descope App Dev Partner Program. Provides authentication services to ecommerce and B2B clients.
- HumanmoderateDigital marketing agency and launch partner for the Descope App Dev Partner Program. Focuses on ecommerce and B2B applications.
- ApptwaremoderateGenAI/AI/ML focused consulting firm and launch partner for the Descope App Dev Partner Program. Helps clients adopt Agentic AI and MCP securely.
- Ironcove SolutionsminorConsulting firm offering Descope implementation services.
- Token SecuritymoderatePartnered with Descope and industry CISOs to publish the AI Security Guide. Both companies focus on AI agent identity and security solutions.
- Amazon Web ServicescoreCloud infrastructure provider. AWS hosts Descope's platform in US and EU regions.
- Alphabet Inc. (Google Cloud)coreCloud infrastructure provider. Google Cloud hosts Descope's platform in US and EU regions.
- MicrosoftcoreCloud infrastructure provider. Microsoft Azure hosts Descope's platform in US and EU regions.
- CloudflaremoderateContent Delivery Network, DDoS Protection, and Edge Computing provider for global service delivery.
- TwiliomoderateCustomer engagement platform used for communication services in US and EU regions.
- NTT DatamoderateGlobal IT services company and channel partner providing Descope solutions to global customers.
- OptivmoderateCybersecurity solutions integrator and channel partner offering Descope authentication solutions.
- Trace3moderateTechnology advisory and solution provider, cited as having excellent technical resources and proven product value.
- IncodemoderateBiometrics and liveness detection provider integrated with Descope's IAM platform for enhanced identity verification.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Descope competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Auth0 (Okta): Auth0 is the most direct competitor to Descope, offering a developer-friendly CIAM platform with passwordless, MFA, SSO, and SCIM. Descope is explicitly positioned as an Auth0 alternative, and the two compete for the same developer-led authentication use cases.
- WorkOS: WorkOS is a B2B-focused authentication and user management platform targeting SaaS companies needing enterprise SSO, SCIM, and audit logs. Highly comparable to Descope's B2B CIAM offering and competes for the same SaaS developer buyer.
- Clerk: Clerk is a developer-first authentication and user management platform for modern web and mobile applications, with pre-built UI components and drop-in SDKs. Closely comparable to Descope's developer-led CIAM motion with similar target customers.
- Stytch: Stytch provides passwordless authentication, MFA, and SSO APIs targeting developers with flexible integration models. Direct competitor in the passwordless and developer-led authentication category where Descope also competes.
- Frontegg: Frontegg is a B2B SaaS-focused authentication and user management platform offering SSO, MFA, SCIM, and self-service admin portals. Highly comparable to Descope's B2B CIAM use case targeting SaaS product teams.
- FusionAuth: FusionAuth is a developer-focused authentication and user management platform offering SSO, MFA, passwordless, and OAuth/OIDC support, deployable as cloud or self-hosted. Competes directly with Descope in the developer CIAM category.
Broad incumbents
- AWS Cognito: AWS Cognito is the hyperscaler-native CIAM service bundled into the AWS ecosystem, offering user pools, identity pools, and federation. Represents the bundled-incumbent threat: free or low-cost for AWS-native customers and a key competitive alternative for Descope.
- Microsoft Entra External ID: Microsoft Entra External ID is Microsoft's CIAM offering for external user authentication, integrated with Entra ID and the broader Microsoft security stack. A broad incumbent competitor with significant enterprise distribution advantages.
- Firebase Authentication: Firebase Auth is Google's CIAM service offering identity providers, passwordless, and MFA, tightly integrated with Google Cloud and Firebase. A direct competing offering for mobile and web app developers.
Emerging players
- Keycloak (Red Hat): Keycloak is an open-source IAM and CIAM platform maintained by Red Hat, offering SSO, identity federation, and user management. Functions as a free alternative for organizations willing to self-host, creating a competitive threat on price.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Descope social profiles
Digital presenceDescope compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Descope financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Descope leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Descope funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Descope M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Descope
What does Descope do?
Descope sells a customer and agentic identity (CIAM) platform that lets organizations build, customize, and operate authentication and authorization user journeys using a no/low-code visual workflow editor (Descope Flows), multi-language SDKs, and a REST API. The platform supports passwordless methods (passkeys, magic links, social login, One Tap, biometrics), adaptive MFA, SAML/OIDC SSO, SCIM provisioning, fine-grained authorization, and the Agentic Identity Hub for AI agents and MCP servers. It is offered on a freemium and subscription basis to developers, B2B SaaS companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises.
Is Descope a public or private company?
Descope is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Descope founded?
Descope was founded in 2022. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Descope based?
Descope is headquartered in Los Altos, United States, in the North America region.
How does Descope make money?
One revenue line is on record: saaS Subscription (Growth Tier).
Who are Descope's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Auth0 (Okta), WorkOS, Clerk, Stytch, Frontegg and FusionAuth. Broad incumbents are AWS Cognito, Microsoft Entra External ID and Firebase Authentication. Keycloak (Red Hat) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Descope have an API?
Yes. Descope offers a REST API for authentication and user management, enabling developers to handle all frontend flows and logic on their own. The platform provides SDKs for multiple programming languages including React, Next.js, Vue.js, JavaScript, Angular (frontend), Python, Node.js, Java, .NET, Go, PHP, Ruby (backend), and Kotlin, Swift, React Native, Flutter (mobile). The platform also supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) through a Descope MCP server that allows AI agents to run authentication and management operations. Developer documentation is at docs.descope.com.
What industry is Descope in?
Descope's product category is Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADAAAD, Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM), with a secondary code of BPAMAEAE, Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.