# Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs Willow Identity & Access: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Smallstep Device Identity Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/smallstep-device-identity-platform) is a commercial [certificate lifecycle management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/clm) solution by [Smallstep](https://cybersectools.com/companies/smallstep). [Willow Identity & Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/willow-identity-and-access) is a commercial [Non-Human identity](https://cybersectools.com/categories/non-human-identity) solution by [Willow](https://cybersectools.com/companies/willow). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Smallstep Device Identity Platform | Willow Identity & Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Certificate Lifecycle Management | Non-Human Identity |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Smallstep | Willow |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Smallstep Device Identity Platform | Willow Identity & Access |
|---|---|---|
| ZTNA | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Human Identity | – | Yes |
| Agentic AI Security | – | Yes |
| RBAC | – | Yes |
| SSO | – | Yes |
| Zero Trust Architecture | – | Yes |
| Least Privilege | – | Yes |
| Authentication | – | Yes |
| Permissions | – | Yes |
| JWT | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Smallstep Device Identity Platform**

6 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Willow Identity & Access**

8 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Smallstep Device Identity Platform**

7 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Willow Identity & Access**

3 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.

- [Smallstep Device Identity Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/smallstep-device-identity-platform) fits if you are a small business.

## Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs Willow Identity & Access FAQ

Common questions when comparing Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs Willow Identity & Access for certificate lifecycle management.

### What is the difference between Smallstep Device Identity Platform and Willow Identity & Access?

**Smallstep Device Identity Platform**: Hardware-backed device identity platform for Zero Trust endpoint access control, built by Smallstep.

**Willow Identity & Access**: IAM layer for AI agents, inheriting identity from employees via existing IdP, built by Willow.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Smallstep Device Identity Platform and Willow Identity & Access?

**Smallstep Device Identity Platform** is made by Smallstep. **Willow Identity & Access** is made by Willow. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Smallstep Device Identity Platform a good alternative to Willow Identity & Access?

In part. Smallstep Device Identity Platform and Willow Identity & Access are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Both cover ZTNA. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs SecureW2 JoinNow Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/securew2-joinnow-platform-vs-smallstep-device-identity-platform)
- [Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs SecureG Branded Calling ID](https://cybersectools.com/compare/secureg-branded-calling-id-vs-smallstep-device-identity-platform)
- [Smallstep Device Identity Platform vs Keyfactor Command](https://cybersectools.com/compare/keyfactor-command-vs-smallstep-device-identity-platform)
- [Willow Identity & Access vs SecureW2 JoinNow Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/securew2-joinnow-platform-vs-willow-identity-and-access)
- [Willow Identity & Access vs SecureG Branded Calling ID](https://cybersectools.com/compare/secureg-branded-calling-id-vs-willow-identity-and-access)
- [Willow Identity & Access vs Keyfactor Command](https://cybersectools.com/compare/keyfactor-command-vs-willow-identity-and-access)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Smallstep Device Identity Platform alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/smallstep-device-identity-platform)
- [See all Willow Identity & Access alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/willow-identity-and-access)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/smallstep-device-identity-platform-vs-willow-identity-and-access

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/smallstep-device-identity-platform.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Smallstep Device Identity Platform and Willow Identity & Access: 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