F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access is a commercial access management solution by F5. Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services is a commercial access management solution by Optimal IdM. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.
What our shortlists say about the one we picked.
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, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN
On-premise federated identity mgmt system with SSO and MFA capabilities
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Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.
F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access fits if you need to run it on your own servers.
Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options and you are a small business.
Common questions when comparing F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services for access management.
F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access: Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN. Built by F5.
Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services: On-premise federated identity mgmt system with SSO and MFA capabilities. Built by Optimal IdM.
The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.
F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access is made by F5. Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services is made by Optimal IdM. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.
Often, yes. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Optimal IdM Optimal Federation & Identity Services are both Access Management products, and both cover Authentication, Authorization. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.
Need the answer fast? Best Access Management Solutions for Business picks Microsoft Entra ID, Okta Single Sign-On, Ping Identity Platform and 4 more.See the shortlist