# Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs IBM Cloud Secrets Manager: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector](https://cybersectools.com/tools/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector) is a commercial [secrets management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/secrets-management) solution by [Akeyless Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/akeyless-security). [IBM Cloud Secrets Manager](https://cybersectools.com/tools/ibm-cloud-secrets-manager) is a commercial [secrets management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/secrets-management) solution by [IBM](https://cybersectools.com/companies/ibm). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector | IBM Cloud Secrets Manager | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Secrets Management | Secrets Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Akeyless Security | IBM | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector | IBM Cloud Secrets Manager | |---|---|---| | Authentication | Yes | – | | Secrets Management | Yes | Yes | ### Core features **Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector** 7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **IBM Cloud Secrets Manager** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector** 5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **IBM Cloud Secrets Manager** 7 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector](https://cybersectools.com/tools/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector) fits if you are a small business. ## Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs IBM Cloud Secrets Manager FAQ Common questions when comparing Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs IBM Cloud Secrets Manager for secrets management. ### What is the difference between Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector and IBM Cloud Secrets Manager? **Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector**: Unified secrets management connector for multiple vaults and platforms, built by Akeyless Security. **IBM Cloud Secrets Manager**: Centralized secrets management service for IBM Cloud powered by HashiCorp Vault, built by IBM. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector and IBM Cloud Secrets Manager? **Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector** is made by Akeyless Security. **IBM Cloud Secrets Manager** is made by IBM. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector a good alternative to IBM Cloud Secrets Manager? Often, yes. Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector and IBM Cloud Secrets Manager are both Secrets Management products, and both cover Secrets Management. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs Akeyless Secrets Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akeyless-secrets-management-vs-akeyless-universal-secrets-connector) - [Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs AWS Secrets Manager](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector-vs-aws-secrets-manager) - [Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector vs Thales CipherTrust Secrets Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector-vs-thales-ciphertrust-secrets-management) - [IBM Cloud Secrets Manager vs Akeyless Secrets Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akeyless-secrets-management-vs-ibm-cloud-secrets-manager) - [IBM Cloud Secrets Manager vs AWS Secrets Manager](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aws-secrets-manager-vs-ibm-cloud-secrets-manager) - [IBM Cloud Secrets Manager vs Thales CipherTrust Secrets Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ibm-cloud-secrets-manager-vs-thales-ciphertrust-secrets-management) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector) - [See all IBM Cloud Secrets Manager alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/ibm-cloud-secrets-manager) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector-vs-ibm-cloud-secrets-manager For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/akeyless-universal-secrets-connector.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Akeyless Universal Secrets Connector and IBM Cloud Secrets Manager: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md