Top 10 Identity and Access Management Tools

Identity and access management (IAM) tools help organisations control who can access their systems, applications and data. They can simplify sign-in, enforce security policies and make it easier to manage user accounts throughout their lifecycle. Depending on the product, they may also provide identity governance, privileged access management or tools for managing access to cloud platforms.

There is no single best IAM product for every organisation. The right choice depends on factors such as your existing technology, regulatory requirements, number of users and whether you need workforce, customer or privileged access management. The following ten widely used platforms cover a range of needs; the order is not a definitive ranking.

Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory, manages identities and access to Microsoft services and many third-party applications. Its capabilities include single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA), conditional access and integration with Microsoft 3

It is a natural option for organisations already invested in Microsoft’s cloud and productivity tools. Check which features are included in the licences you need.

Okta

Okta is a cloud-based identity platform known for SSO, MFA and integrations with a broad range of applications. It can help organisations provide consistent access across cloud and on-premises services. Okta is often considered by businesses that want a dedicated identity platform, particularly when their users rely on applications from multiple vendors.

Ping Identity

Ping Identity offers workforce and customer identity capabilities, including SSO, authentication and access management. Its products can support complex environments where organisations need to connect different applications, directories and infrastructure. It may suit larger businesses with established identity teams and more demanding integration requirements.

SailPoint

SailPoint focuses on identity security and governance. Its tools help organisations manage access requests, reviews, roles and user access as people join, change roles or leave. SailPoint is especially relevant where proving that access is appropriate and regularly reviewed is a priority. It is generally more focused on identity governance than on being a simple sign-in service.

Saviynt

Saviynt provides identity governance and administration, with capabilities for managing access across applications and cloud environments. It can help automate identity-related processes, review permissions and support compliance efforts. Organisations should assess its integration fit and implementation requirements against the complexity of their current environment.

CyberArk

CyberArk is best known for privileged access management (PAM), which protects powerful accounts used by administrators, applications and other sensitive services. Its offerings include controls for privileged credentials and access, alongside broader identity security capabilities. It is worth considering when reducing the risk associated with high-impact accounts is a key requirement.

IBM Verify

IBM Verify includes identity and access management capabilities for workforce and customer use cases. Depending on the product and deployment, organisations can use it for authentication, access control and identity management across different environments. It may be a suitable option for businesses already using IBM technologies or looking for a platform to support complex hybrid systems.

OneLogin by One Identity

OneLogin provides cloud-based identity management features such as SSO, MFA and user provisioning. It is designed to make access to business applications easier to manage while supporting security controls. Organisations comparing it with other cloud IAM services should look closely at application integrations, administration requirements and the features available in each plan.

JumpCloud

JumpCloud brings together directory services, device management and access controls. It can help organisations manage users and devices across different operating systems and cloud applications, including in environments without a traditional on-premises directory. Its combined approach may appeal to smaller IT teams seeking to manage several parts of their identity and device estate in one place.

AWS IAM Identity Center

AWS IAM Identity Center helps organisations manage workforce access to multiple AWS accounts and supported applications. It can connect to an existing identity source and provide users with a central way to access assigned resources. It is particularly relevant for organisations with workloads on AWS, but it should not be assumed to replace a complete workforce IAM or identity governance platform.

How to choose an IAM tool

Start by defining the problem you need to solve. A business looking to make employee sign-in easier may prioritise SSO and MFA, while one seeking to control administrator accounts may need PAM. Organisations that need to review permissions and demonstrate oversight should assess identity governance features.

• Map your environment: List your directories, cloud platforms, business applications and user groups.
• Check integrations: Confirm that the tool supports the applications and identity sources you rely on.
• Assess security controls: Consider MFA, conditional access, lifecycle automation, audit logs and privileged access features.
• Plan for compliance: Identify the access reviews, records and reporting needed to meet your organisation’s obligations.
• Estimate the full cost: Include licensing, implementation, ongoing administration and any additional modules.
• Test usability: Trial the experience for both end users and administrators before making a decision.

Final thoughts

The best IAM tool is the one that fits your organisation’s security needs and works well with its existing systems. Compare products against specific use cases, check current features and licensing with each supplier, and run a carefully scoped pilot where possible. A well-planned implementation matters as much as the platform itself: access policies, account ownership and regular reviews all need ongoing attention.

 

Top 10 Identity and Access Management Tools: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Solution

1. Compare leading IAM platforms in one place.
2. Find tools for SSO and multifactor authentication.
3. Explore options for identity governance and privileged access.
4. Choose solutions suited to different business environments.
5. Learn key factors to consider before selecting a tool.

 

Challenges of Top 10 Identity and Access Management Tools: Key Considerations

1. Licensing costs can be high.
2. Implementation may be complex.
3. Some tools require specialist expertise.
4. Integrations vary between platforms.
5. Feature sets can overlap or confuse.
6. Poor configuration can weaken security.

Compare leading IAM platforms in one place.

Comparing leading identity and access management (IAM) platforms in one place makes it easier to see how their features, integrations and strengths differ. Rather than researching each product separately, organisations can assess options against their requirements—such as single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, user provisioning or privileged access management—and create a focused shortlist. This saves time and supports a more informed decision about which platform best fits their existing systems, security priorities and budget.

Find tools for SSO and multifactor authentication.

The top identity and access management tools make it easier to find solutions that offer both single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). SSO lets users access multiple approved applications with one sign-in, while MFA adds an extra layer of verification to help protect accounts. Together, these features can simplify everyday access for staff while strengthening security across an organisation’s systems.

Explore options for identity governance and privileged access.

Exploring identity governance and privileged access management options helps organisations go beyond basic sign-in controls. Identity governance tools can support access reviews, approvals and user lifecycle management, making it easier to ensure people have appropriate permissions. Privileged access features add safeguards for administrator and other high-impact accounts, helping limit exposure and improve oversight. Comparing these capabilities across IAM tools can help you choose a solution that matches your security, compliance and operational needs.

Choose solutions suited to different business environments.

One of the main advantages of comparing the top identity and access management tools is the ability to choose a solution that fits your business environment. Whether your organisation is a small business using cloud applications, a large enterprise with complex hybrid systems, or a team managing privileged accounts, different tools offer capabilities to match those needs. This makes it easier to find an option that works with your existing technology, supports your security requirements and can scale as your organisation grows.

Learn key factors to consider before selecting a tool.

Before choosing an identity and access management tool, consider how well it integrates with your existing systems, which features you need and how easy it will be to use and manage. Assess security controls such as multi-factor authentication, access reviews and user provisioning, as well as compliance requirements, scalability and total cost. Comparing these factors helps you select a tool that suits your organisation’s needs now and can adapt as they change.

Licensing costs can be high.

Licensing costs can be high, particularly for organisations that need advanced features, support for large numbers of users or separate modules for governance and privileged access management. Implementation, integration and ongoing administration can add to the total cost, so it is important to compare the full cost of ownership—not just the advertised subscription price—before choosing a tool.

Implementation may be complex.

Implementation can be complex, particularly in organisations with a mix of legacy systems, cloud services and multiple user directories. Connecting applications, migrating identities and configuring access policies may require specialist expertise and careful planning. If the rollout is not well managed, it can disrupt users or leave gaps in access controls, so it is important to allow time for testing, staff training and ongoing support.

Some tools require specialist expertise.

Some identity and access management tools require specialist expertise to configure, integrate and maintain. Advanced features such as access policies, identity governance and privileged account controls can be complex, particularly in organisations with a mix of cloud and on-premises systems. Without the right skills, implementation may take longer, security settings may be misconfigured and teams may struggle to get the full value from the tool. This can mean extra training, consultancy or ongoing support costs.

Integrations vary between platforms.

Integrations vary between IAM platforms, so a tool may not connect smoothly with every application, directory or cloud service your organisation uses. Some integrations may require extra configuration, custom development or additional licences, increasing implementation time and cost. Before choosing a platform, check that it supports your essential systems and test key integrations in a realistic environment.

Feature sets can overlap or confuse.

IAM tools often combine features such as single sign-on, multifactor authentication, identity governance and privileged access management, so their capabilities can overlap. Product names and licensing tiers may also make it difficult to tell which features are included or whether a separate module is needed. This can complicate comparisons, lead to paying for capabilities that are already covered elsewhere, and make implementation harder. Before choosing a tool, map your requirements and check precisely what each product and licence provides.

Poor configuration can weaken security.

Poor configuration can undermine the security benefits of identity and access management tools. Incorrect access policies, excessive permissions or misconfigured multi-factor authentication may leave accounts and sensitive systems exposed. To reduce this risk, organisations should test settings before deployment, follow the principle of least privilege, review configurations regularly and monitor sign-in activity for suspicious behaviour.