# F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Microsoft Entra ID: side-by-side comparison (2026) [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) is a commercial [access management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management) solution by [F5](https://cybersectools.com/companies/f5). [Microsoft Entra ID](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-entra-id) is a commercial [access management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management) solution by [Microsoft](https://cybersectools.com/companies/microsoft). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about each one. ### [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) Best for: F5 BIG-IP shops securing older web apps It earns its place as the bridge for older apps, because it puts modern sign-in and MFA in front of them instead of rewriting them. It fits mid-sized and large companies that already run BIG-IP on premises. It works next to an identity provider rather than replacing one, so plan it as a second layer beside your main sign-in product. From [Best Access Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-access-management-solutions), Fall 2026. ### [Microsoft Entra ID](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-entra-id) Best for: Companies running Microsoft 365 Entra ID earns its place because it is often already your identity provider, so the question is how far to extend it rather than whether to buy it. It fits companies of any size on Microsoft 365. Map what your current license includes against what you need, such as privileged identity management, before you add a second identity product. From [Best IAM Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-iam-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Access Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-access-management-solutions) picks Microsoft Entra ID, Okta Single Sign-On, Ping Identity Platform and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | Microsoft Entra ID | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Access Management | Access Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | On-Premises | Cloud | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Microsoft | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | Microsoft Entra ID | |---|---|---| | ZTNA | Yes | – | | Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – | | Authentication | Yes | Yes | | Authorization | Yes | – | | SSO | Yes | Yes | | MFA | Yes | Yes | | Proxy | Yes | – | | Policy | Yes | – | | Remote Access | Yes | – | | Single Sign On | – | Yes | ### Core features **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Microsoft Entra ID** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** 10 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Microsoft Entra ID** 10 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. - [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) fits if you need to run it on your own servers. - [Microsoft Entra ID](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-entra-id) fits if you want a cloud product and you are a small business. ## F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Microsoft Entra ID FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Microsoft Entra ID for access management. ### What is the difference between F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Microsoft Entra ID? **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access**: Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN, built by F5. **Microsoft Entra ID**: Cloud-based identity and access management solution for enterprises, built by Microsoft. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Microsoft Entra ID? **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** is made by F5. **Microsoft Entra ID** is made by Microsoft. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access a good alternative to Microsoft Entra ID? Often, yes. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Microsoft Entra ID are both Access Management products, and both cover MFA, SSO, Authentication. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs SecureAuth](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-secureauth) - [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Curity Identity Server](https://cybersectools.com/compare/curity-identity-server-vs-f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) - [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs SecurEnvoy Access Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-securenvoy-access-management) - [Microsoft Entra ID vs SecureAuth](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-entra-id-vs-secureauth) - [Microsoft Entra ID vs Curity Identity Server](https://cybersectools.com/compare/curity-identity-server-vs-microsoft-entra-id) - [Microsoft Entra ID vs SecurEnvoy Access Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-entra-id-vs-securenvoy-access-management) ## Alternatives to each - [See all F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) - [See all Microsoft Entra ID alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-entra-id) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-microsoft-entra-id For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Microsoft Entra ID: 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