# Best Access Management Solutions for Business (2026) Compare 7 access management solutions, including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Ping Identity and Cisco Duo, on SSO, MFA, device rules and what customers say. We pick every solution on this list [on merit](https://cybersectools.com/methodology#shortlist-order). Featured vendors that made the list are shown first. Source: https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-access-management-solutions Updated: 2026-11-01 Edition: Fall 2026. Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze, CybersecTools. ## Executive summary As of November 2026, CybersecTools tracks 405 companies that sell IAM solutions as their main business. Access Management is part of that family. The largest groups are based in the United States, Canada and Israel. In the last 12 months they raised $4.3B across 60 funding rounds, 24 companies were acquired and 34 new companies started in the last two years. From that field we chose seven solutions that handle the core access jobs: single sign-on, multi-factor login, and rules that decide who gets in, from which device, and when. Microsoft Entra ID leads for teams that already run Microsoft 365 and Azure. Okta Single Sign-On fits teams that want a sign-in layer that is not tied to one platform vendor. Ping Identity Platform suits large or regulated teams that need workforce and customer identity in one place, including a self-managed option. The decision you have to make in this category is where your identity layer should live. If most of your apps and users already sit in one vendor's cloud, the built-in option is usually cheaper and simpler. If you run a mix of clouds, older on-premises apps and several directories, a neutral sign-in layer, or a proxy in front of the old apps, will save you work later. ## How we evaluated We looked at 71 access management solutions from 55 companies, and the 7 on this page made the cut. We combined our judgment from years of leading enterprise security programs with market data from [Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist), our market intelligence platform, and with the vendor and review pages listed under Sources at the end of this page. For customer feedback, we left out paid reviews, reviews by vendor staff or partners, review campaigns and anything older than two years, so you get an accurate view of what customers say. Four traits mattered most: single sign-on across cloud and older on-premises apps, multi-factor login with phishing-resistant options, access rules that check device and context, and how the product fits the directory you already run. We left out products built for one platform only, such as a single web host or a single operating system, and identity governance products with no sign-in layer. The order follows how widely each product is used by teams like yours. Company momentum shows how the vendor itself is growing, so a market leader can rank first with a lower score. Read the full method: https://cybersectools.com/methodology#why ## What is Access Management Access management decides who can sign in to which app, and under what conditions. It covers single sign-on, so people log in once, and multi-factor login, so a stolen password is not enough. It also covers access policies that check the user, the device, the network and the location before the door opens. For you, this is the front door of the security program. Most attacks start with a stolen or guessed login, so this layer stops a large share of them early. It depends on a clean directory of users and devices. Your audit logs, your offboarding process and your zero trust plans all depend on it in turn. ### Compare Access Management solutions This analysis focuses on seven access management solutions. The table compares them on vendor, who each one is best for, deployment model and the NIST CSF functions they cover. | # | Solution | Best for | Starting price | Deployment | Company size | NIST CSF functions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Microsoft Entra ID](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-entra-id) | Organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365 and Azure | From $7 per user per month | Cloud | SMB to Enterprise | Protect | | 2 | [Okta Single Sign-On](https://cybersectools.com/tools/okta-single-sign-on) | Teams with mixed apps that want a vendor-neutral sign-in layer | Contact sales | Hybrid | SMB to Enterprise | Identify, Protect | | 3 | [Ping Identity Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/ping-identity-platform) | Large or regulated teams needing self-managed identity | From $3 per user per month | Hybrid | SMB to Enterprise | Protect | | 4 | [Duo Access Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/duo-access-management) | Teams adding strong MFA and device checks quickly | From $3 per user per month | Cloud | SMB to Enterprise | Protect | | 5 | [JumpCloud Conditional Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/jumpcloud-conditional-access) | Smaller IT teams managing users and devices together | From $3 per user per month | Cloud | SMB to Enterprise | Protect | | 6 | [Broadcom Identity and Access Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/broadcom-identity-and-access-management) | Enterprises running large SiteMinder or Symantec estates | Contact sales | Hybrid | Mid-Market to Enterprise | Protect | | 7 | [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) | F5 BIG-IP shops securing older web apps | Contact sales | On-Premises | Mid-Market to Enterprise | Protect | Vendors change prices, so check before you buy. **See every Access Management solution we list** The full Access Management market, filtered by company size, deployment and NIST coverage. [Browse Access Management solutions →](https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management) ### 1. Microsoft Entra ID **[Microsoft](https://mandos.io/data/companies/microsoft?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Cloud-based identity and access management solution for enterprises Redmond, United States · Founded 1975 · Public company · Momentum 59/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, PCI DSS, HIPAA **Best for:** Organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365 and Azure Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-entra-id #### At a glance - Vendor: Microsoft - Headquarters: Redmond, United States - Founded: 1975 - Ownership: Public company (MSFT) - Deployment: Cloud - Company size: SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Starting price: From $7 per user per month #### Our take Microsoft Entra ID is the identity layer that already sits under Microsoft 365 and Azure. It handles single sign-on, multi-factor and passwordless login, and Conditional Access policies that weigh user risk and sign-in risk before letting someone in. Privileged Identity Management adds just-in-time admin roles. Reaching non-Microsoft apps works through its app catalog, which includes Workday, ServiceNow, Salesforce, Slack and the major clouds. It leads this list for Microsoft shops because it is already in place under Microsoft 365 and Azure, so single sign-on, MFA and Conditional Access build on what you own. It fits companies of any size whose main platform is Microsoft and that sync on-premises Active Directory to the cloud. If much of your estate runs elsewhere, check how well the app catalog covers it before you make Entra your only sign-in layer. #### Microsoft Entra ID main features - Multi-factor authentication (MFA) - Single sign-on (SSO) - Passwordless authentication - Risk-based conditional access policies - Identity protection with machine learning - Privileged identity management (PIM) - Just-in-time access controls - Self-service password reset and account management #### Microsoft Entra ID main integrations Atlassian Cloud, ServiceNow, Slack, SuccessFactors, Workday, Amazon Web Services, Alibaba Cloud Service, Google Cloud Platform, Salesforce, SAP Cloud Identity Services #### What customers say Sentiment: 82% positive · 18% mixed · 0% negative (from first-hand public reviews and comments, 2025 to 2026). Most praised: Access control, Single sign-on, Multi-factor login. Most criticized: Licensing, Speed. Entra ID is the sign-in layer for most of these customers, so one account gets people into Microsoft 365, Azure and the other apps they connect, and many keep it in sync with their own Active Directory. Conditional Access is the part they rate highest, because it lets them require MFA or block sign-ins by location, device or risk. What frustrates them sits around the product, since licensing is hard to work out and support tickets start at the first line even for expert admins, so hard problems take longer to fix. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - Conditional Access weighs user risk and sign-in risk before each login - Privileged Identity Management gives admins just-in-time roles in the same platform - Security Copilot lets admins investigate risky users in plain language Ask in the demo: - Ask which of the features you need sit in the higher license tiers, and price those tiers, not the entry one - Check how sign-in works for your older on-premises apps that do not support modern protocols - Ask how support escalation works at your contract level, since customers report slow escalation ### 2. Okta Single Sign-On **[Okta](https://mandos.io/data/companies/okta?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Enterprise SSO solution providing secure access to cloud and on-prem apps. San Francisco, United States · Founded 2009 · Public company · Momentum 78/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, PCI DSS, HIPAA, CSA STAR **Best for:** Teams with mixed apps that want a vendor-neutral sign-in layer Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/okta-single-sign-on #### At a glance - Vendor: Okta - Headquarters: San Francisco, United States - Founded: 2009 - Ownership: Public company (OKTA) - Deployment: Hybrid - Company size: SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Identify, Protect - Pricing: Contact sales #### Our take Okta Single Sign-On is a sign-in layer that does not belong to any one platform vendor. It connects cloud and on-premises apps through more than 8,000 pre-built integrations and pulls identities from Active Directory, LDAP and HR systems into one place. Okta Workflows automates identity tasks, and Access Gateway brings single sign-on to on-premises apps. It is on this list as the neutral choice, because it connects to your apps without tying your identity to one platform vendor. It fits companies of any size that run a mix of Microsoft, Google and many SaaS apps. If Microsoft already runs most of your estate, weigh whether a separate sign-in layer is worth running next to it. #### Okta Single Sign-On main features - Single sign-on access to cloud and on-premises applications - 8,000+ pre-built application integrations - Phishing-resistant authentication flows - Passwordless authentication - Integration with Active Directory, LDAP, and HR systems - Centralized user access management dashboard - Pre-built reporting and activity monitoring - Customizable user dashboard for resource access #### Okta Single Sign-On main integrations Active Directory, LDAP, Box, Dropbox Business, HubSpot, Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, Zendesk, Salesforce.com #### What customers say Sentiment: 90% positive · 10% mixed · 0% negative (from first-hand public reviews and comments, 2026). Most praised: Single sign-on, Multi-factor login, Ease of use. Most criticized: Setup, Price. Okta gives staff one sign-in for every app with MFA running in the background, so people stop juggling passwords and log-in problems drop. Admins also use it to handle onboarding and offboarding from one place. The catch is cost and troubleshooting, because advanced features push the price up, and when a user can't reach an app, finding the cause means digging through several settings and logs. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - The largest pre-built app catalog on this list, over 8,000 integrations - Okta Workflows automates joiner, mover and leaver tasks without code - Access Gateway extends single sign-on to on-premises apps Ask in the demo: - Ask which features beyond single sign-on are extra, such as adaptive MFA, Workflows and Access Gateway - Check in the demo how an admin traces a failed sign-in, since customers say troubleshooting takes time - Confirm which of your on-premises apps Access Gateway supports without custom work ### 3. Ping Identity Platform **[Ping Identity](https://mandos.io/data/companies/ping-identity?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Identity platform for customer, workforce, B2B and AI identity: SSO, MFA, verification. Denver, United States · Founded 2002 · $128M raised · Momentum 42/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA **Best for:** Large or regulated teams needing self-managed identity Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/ping-identity-platform #### At a glance - Vendor: Ping Identity - Headquarters: Denver, United States - Founded: 2002 - Deployment: Hybrid - Company size: SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Starting price: From $3 per user per month #### Our take Ping Identity Platform covers workforce, customer, partner and AI agent identity in one platform, with single sign-on, multi-factor login, threat protection, identity verification and just-in-time privileged access. Its orchestration engine designs login and sign-up flows in a visual editor. It runs as multi-tenant cloud, dedicated cloud, FedRAMP or self-managed software. It earns its place because it is one of the few picks you can run as self-managed software, and it covers employees, customers, partners and AI agents in one platform. It fits large, regulated organizations that need control over where identity runs. If you only need workforce sign-in, ask whether you need the customer and partner parts at all. #### Ping Identity Platform main features - Multi-identity type support (customers, employees, third parties, AI agents) - Multiple deployment options (SaaS, FedRAMP, private cloud, on-premises) - High-scale operations (200M logins/day, 100M+ users, 1,000+ TPS) - Helix AI engine for intelligent identity services - Identity orchestration with 6,500+ capabilities across 350+ connectors - Identity governance and administration - Access management and control - IAM standards compliance #### Ping Identity Platform main integrations Akamai Account Protector, Amazon, Apache, Apple Login, Aquera, Atlassian, Azure, Box, Citrix ADC, Code42, Concur, Contentful, CoreBlox, Coupa, CrowdStrike, Dropbox, Duo Security, Dynamics CRM, Egnyte, Entrust Identity Enterprise, Evernote, Facebook, GitHub, Google, Heroku, ID DataWeb, Intune, iovation, Island Enterprise Browser, Jamf, LinkedIn Login, Lucidchart, Microsoft EAM, Internet Information Services (IIS), Microsoft Login, MobileIron, Office 365, Oracle Access Manager (OAM), RSA SecurID, Salesforce, SAP NetWeaver, ServiceNow, SharePoint, Slack, Symantec VIP, ThreatMetrix, Twitter Login, Webex, WebSphere, Workspace ONE UEM, Zendesk, Zoom, Zscaler #### What customers say Ping Identity Platform handles single sign-on and multi-factor login across a mix of older on-site apps and newer cloud apps, because it supports nearly every open standard, such as SAML, OAuth and OIDC. Customers also like building login and sign-up journeys with drag and drop instead of code, and they call it stable once it's running. Getting there takes longer, though, since the policy and connector setup is complex and can run past the planned timeline. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - Can run as self-managed software, not only in the vendor's cloud - Drag-and-drop orchestration builds login and sign-up journeys without code - One platform for workforce, customer and partner identity Ask in the demo: - Ask for a realistic rollout plan and staffing, since customers say setup took longer than planned - Confirm which deployment option, multi-tenant, dedicated or self-managed, supports the features you need - Get the list of connectors for your own apps, since our records show no integrations list for this product ### 4. Duo Access Management **[Duo Security](https://mandos.io/data/companies/duo-security?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Duo access management: MFA, passwordless, SSO, adaptive policies, and device trust Ann Arbor, United States · Founded 2010 · $122M raised · Momentum 45/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, PCI DSS, HIPAA **Best for:** Teams adding strong MFA and device checks quickly Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/duo-access-management #### At a glance - Vendor: Duo Security - Headquarters: Ann Arbor, United States - Founded: 2010 - Deployment: Cloud - Company size: SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Starting price: From $3 per user per month #### Our take Cisco Duo started as multi-factor login and grew into an access layer with single sign-on, passwordless login, adaptive policies and device trust. Policies can weigh role, device health, location and risk. Login methods include Duo Push, passcodes, biometrics and FIDO2 security keys. Device health checks and risk-based login sit in the Advantage and Premier editions. It connects to Palo Alto, Fortinet FortiGate, F5 BIG-IP, Check Point, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, AD FS and Windows Logon, among others. It belongs here because it adds strong login and device checks in front of what you already run, from VPN to Windows logon, without replacing your directory. It fits companies of any size. The device checks you may want most sit in the higher editions, so price the edition you actually need. #### Duo Access Management main features - Multi-factor authentication - Passwordless authentication - Single sign-on - Adaptive access policies - User access policies - Device access policies - Device visibility - Device health verification #### Duo Access Management main integrations Akamai EAA, Juniper, Pulse Connect Secure, NetScaler Gateway, F5 BIG-IP, Palo Alto, Sophos UTM, Fortinet FortiGate, Barracuda, SonicWALL SRA SMA, OpenVPN, OpenVPN Access Server, Absolute Secure Access (NetMotion), CheckPoint, Meraki RADIUS VPN, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure), Microsoft 365, Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), Windows Logon and Remote Desktop (RDP), Exchange: Outlook Web App (OWA), RDS: RD Web and RD Gateway, RRAS, WordPress, Splunk Enterprise, LastPass, 1Password, Amazon AWS Directory Service, CAS, Cisco ISE, Oracle Access Manager (OAM), Okta, OneLogin, PingFederate, SailPoint, Shibboleth, macOS, Epic, Cisco SecureX, AWS Amazon WorkSpaces, PeopleSoft, Juniper UAC, VMware View, Bomgar, CyberArk Privileged Account Security, Delinea Secret Server #### What customers say Sentiment: 91% positive · 9% mixed · 0% negative (from first-hand public reviews and comments, 2025 to 2026). Most praised: Ease of use, Setup, Stability. Duo is the kind of login check staff barely notice, because the phone prompt is quick to approve and people get used to it fast. Admins add that setup is straightforward and the service runs reliably once it is in place, covering VPN, single sign-on and app logins from one set of policies. For companies asking staff to use their own phones, users point out that the app only handles the login prompt and does not reach into personal data. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - Checks device health before login, in the Advantage and Premier editions - Wide choice of login methods: push, FIDO2 keys, biometrics and passcodes - Adds strong login checks in front of the directory you already run Ask in the demo: - Confirm which edition includes Device Health, Risk-Based Authentication and Trusted Endpoints for your use case - Ask how Duo works next to single sign-on you already own, so you do not pay twice - Ask about support response times, since customers describe support as hit or miss **Alternatives to each solution on this list** The closest Access Management alternatives for every pick, matched on features and integrations. [See Access Management alternatives →](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives) ### 5. JumpCloud Conditional Access **[JumpCloud](https://mandos.io/data/companies/jumpcloud?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Policy-driven conditional access control with dynamic authentication requirements Louisville, United States · Founded 2012 · $417M raised · Momentum 50/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA **Best for:** Smaller IT teams managing users and devices together Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/jumpcloud-conditional-access #### At a glance - Vendor: JumpCloud - Headquarters: Louisville, United States - Founded: 2012 - Deployment: Cloud - Company size: SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Starting price: From $3 per user per month #### Our take JumpCloud Conditional Access is part of the JumpCloud Open Directory Platform, which combines identity, access and device management. Its policies change login requirements based on network trust, device trust, location and user identity. They can require multi-factor login, block untrusted networks or devices, and restrict access by location. Browser controls through Chrome Enterprise extend the same policies to unmanaged devices. It is on this list for teams that want identity, access and devices in one cloud directory instead of separate products. It fits small and mid-sized IT teams best, since policies can weigh device trust without a second device product. Chrome Enterprise is its only listed integration, so ask how it connects to the apps and directory you already have. #### JumpCloud Conditional Access main features - Dynamic policy-driven access control - Context-based and risk-based access policies - Network trust verification - Device trust verification - Geolocation-based access restrictions - Multi-factor authentication enforcement - Browser-based security controls - Mobile authentication support via JumpCloud Go #### JumpCloud Conditional Access main integrations Google Chrome Enterprise #### What customers say JumpCloud gives its customers one place to run users, devices and app access, so a new hire is set up once and gets the right apps and permissions on Windows, Mac or Linux without extra steps. Customers also like that staff need only one login for every app. Reporting is the weak spot, because pulling the exact data you need, for an audit or a check, can take a while. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - Directory, device management and access policies in one platform - One policy can combine network trust, device trust and location - Chrome Enterprise controls extend access rules to unmanaged devices Ask in the demo: - Ask which plan includes Conditional Access and how the price changes as you add users - Check reporting in the demo: pull a sample access report, since customers call reporting slow - Confirm how it works alongside your current directory if you are not moving everything to JumpCloud ### 6. Broadcom Identity and Access Management **[Broadcom](https://mandos.io/data/companies/broadcom?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Enterprise IAM platform with zero trust identity fabric capabilities Palo Alto, United States · Founded 1991 · Public company · Momentum 54/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, PCI DSS **Best for:** Enterprises running large SiteMinder or Symantec estates Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/broadcom-identity-and-access-management #### At a glance - Vendor: Broadcom - Headquarters: Palo Alto, United States - Founded: 1991 - Ownership: Public company (AVGO) - Deployment: Hybrid - Company size: Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Pricing: Contact sales #### Our take Broadcom Identity and Access Management is a family of five products: VIP for multi-factor and risk-based login, SiteMinder for central sign-in and authorization, identity governance, privileged access management, and directory services. Newer pieces include VIP Authentication Hub for cloud sign-in services, DX Operational Observability for monitoring SiteMinder, and IGA Xpress for simpler deployment and migration. It earns a place for large companies that already run SiteMinder or Symantec VIP, because the newer pieces let you modernize without a full replacement. It fits mid-sized and large companies with a hybrid estate. If you are not already a SiteMinder shop, weigh whether you need all five parts before you start. #### Broadcom Identity and Access Management main features - Multifactor authentication and risk-based authentication - Centralized authentication and authorization services - Automated user provisioning and access governance - Privileged account and credential protection - Directory services for application support - VIP Authentication Hub for cloud-based modern IAM - DX Operational Observability for real-time environment monitoring - Zero trust continuous verification #### Broadcom Identity and Access Management main integrations SiteMinder, VMware Cloud Foundation #### What customers say Most customers use it for multi-factor login, and they say it stops account takeovers and keeps people out of apps and data they shouldn't reach. It does that without slowing anyone down, because logins are quick and the platform is easy to find your way around, so it adds little day-to-day work. #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - SiteMinder handles central sign-in for large estates of older web apps - Login checks, governance and privileged access from one vendor - IGA Xpress helps move older governance deployments Ask in the demo: - Ask for the roadmap for SiteMinder and VIP Authentication Hub, and how long each is supported - Ask how maintenance costs change at renewal, since a long-time customer reports a sharp rise - Confirm which of the five products are in your quote and which you still need to buy ### 7. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access **[F5](https://mandos.io/data/companies/f5?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos)**. Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN Seattle, United States · Founded 1996 · Public company · Momentum 56/100 (Mandos) Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, FedRAMP, PCI DSS **Best for:** F5 BIG-IP shops securing older web apps Product page: https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm #### At a glance - Vendor: F5 - Headquarters: Seattle, United States - Founded: 1996 - Ownership: Public company (FFIV) - Deployment: On-Premises - Company size: Mid-Market, Enterprise - NIST CSF: Protect - Pricing: Contact sales #### Our take F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access, formerly BIG-IP Access Policy Manager, is an identity-aware proxy that sits in front of your apps. It checks each request against identity and context, adds single sign-on and federation through SAML, OAuth 2.0 and OIDC, and can step up to multi-factor login when risk rises. It also provides per-app and IPSec VPN and device checks. Access Guided Configuration helps connect older apps to Microsoft Entra ID, Okta or Ping, and newer features cover MCP servers, AI agents and post-quantum ciphers. 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. #### F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access main features - Identity-aware proxy with per-request context-aware access - Single sign-on and access federation - SAML, OAuth 2.0, OIDC and PKCE support - Dynamic Client Registration for MCP servers and AI agents - Step-up authentication - Per-app VPN and IPSec VPN - Dynamic split tunneling - Visual Policy Editor #### F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access main integrations Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Ping Identity, Cisco, Gemalto, VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune, IBM MaaS360, Google, LinkedIn #### Before you buy Where it is strong: - Adds modern sign-in to older apps that cannot use SAML or OIDC - VPN and an app access proxy on the same device - Post-quantum ciphers in both client and server Ask in the demo: - Ask whether you need BIG-IP hardware or can run it as a virtual edition in your cloud - Check how policies stay in sync across several BIG-IP devices with BIG-IQ - Confirm which identity provider you will put behind it, since it does not replace a directory ## How they fit your cybersecurity program (NIST CSF) NIST CSF 2.0 has six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover. The grid shows which functions each pick maps to in our record, so you can see where a solution sits in your program and what it leaves to other controls. All 7 solutions map to Protect. 1 of 7 maps to Identify. None map to Govern, Detect, Respond or Recover. | Solution | Govern | Identify | Protect | Detect | Respond | Recover | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | All solutions on this list | 0 of 7 | 1 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 7 | 0 of 7 | 0 of 7 | | Microsoft Entra ID | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | Okta Single Sign-On | – | 1 of 3 (Asset Management) | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | Ping Identity Platform | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | Duo Access Management | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | JumpCloud Conditional Access | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | Broadcom Identity and Access Management | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | – | – | 1 of 5 (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control) | – | – | – | Each cell shows how many of the function's NIST CSF 2.0 categories the solution maps to, with the category names. A product helps you reach these outcomes, but it does not make you compliant on its own. Your people and processes do the rest. ## CISO checklist for selecting an Access Management product Work through these steps in order to go from a vague need to a signed contract you can defend. 1. **List every app and how it signs users in today.** Apps that only support old login methods decide whether you need a proxy or gateway, and they are easy to miss. 2. **Pick your main directory before you pick a sign-in product.** Sign-in rules are only as good as the user and device data behind them, so the directory choice shapes everything else. 3. **Decide whether you need customer or partner identity as well.** Some platforms cover employees and customers together, and buying two products later costs more. 4. **Require phishing-resistant login methods for admins.** Admin accounts are the main target, and push approvals or codes can be tricked out of people. 5. **Run a pilot with your three hardest apps.** Easy cloud apps connect in minutes in every demo; the old and custom apps show the real effort. 6. **Check the device rules you need against your device fleet.** Device checks only work if the product supports your operating systems and your device management setup. 7. **Ask how a failed sign-in is traced end to end.** Your help desk will spend most of its time here, and slow troubleshooting is a common complaint. 8. **Map each required feature to a license tier.** Key controls such as risk-based rules or privileged roles often sit in higher tiers, which changes the real price. 9. **Agree the rollout plan and who staffs it.** Customers of the larger platforms report setups that ran longer than planned, so plan people and time up front. 10. **Get renewal terms and price protection in writing.** Customers report costs that climb as they grow or at renewal, and sign-in is hard to switch once it is in place. **Compare Access Management solutions side by side** Features, integrations, NIST coverage and deployment for every Access Management solution we list, in one table. [Compare Access Management solutions →](https://cybersectools.com/compare) ## Other solutions we considered for this shortlist We looked at 52 products for this list. These did not make the 7 above but are worth a look for the right team. 1. [1Password Unified Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/1password-extended-access-management) · 1Password Identity security platform for access by humans, AI agents, and machines 2. [ManageEngine Identity360](https://cybersectools.com/tools/manageengine-identity360) · ManageEngine Cloud-based IAM platform for identity mgmt, SSO, MFA, and lifecycle mgmt 3. [Jamf Connect](https://cybersectools.com/tools/jamf-connect) · Jamf Mac and mobile authentication with cloud IdP integration and ZTNA access. 4. [Iru Identity](https://cybersectools.com/tools/iru-identity) · Iru Passwordless workforce IAM with SSO, MFA, and device posture-based access control 5. [PlainID Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/plainid-dynamic-authorization) · PlainID Real-time policy-based access control platform for enterprise authorization 6. [Imprivata Mobile Access Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imprivata-mobile-access-management) · Imprivata Manages secure access to shared mobile devices with fast authentication & SSO Explore all Access Management solutions: https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management ## Conclusion The right pick depends on where your users and apps already live. If you run on Microsoft, start with Entra ID and price the tier you really need. If your apps are spread across many vendors, Okta or Ping give you a neutral sign-in layer, with Ping the stronger choice when you need self-managed deployment or customer identity too. Duo and JumpCloud add strong login checks and device rules without a large project. Broadcom and F5 make the most sense when you already run their products and need to protect older apps. Whichever you choose, require phishing-resistant login for admins first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between access management and IAM? IAM is the whole field of managing identities, including who has accounts, what they are allowed to do, and how that is reviewed. Access management is the part that controls sign-in: single sign-on, multi-factor login and the rules that decide who gets in. Many products on this list also include some governance, but sign-in is their core job. ### Do I need a separate access management product if I use Microsoft 365? Often not. Microsoft Entra ID already runs sign-in for Microsoft 365, and its higher tiers add Conditional Access and privileged roles. A separate product makes sense when many of your apps sit outside Microsoft, or when you want your identity layer not tied to one vendor. ### What is phishing-resistant MFA? It is multi-factor login that a fake website cannot capture or replay, such as FIDO2 security keys and passkeys. Push approvals and one-time codes are better than passwords alone, but attackers can trick people into approving them. Ask each vendor which phishing-resistant methods it supports and how you can require them for admins. ### How do I secure older apps that do not support SAML or OIDC? Put a proxy or gateway in front of them that handles modern sign-in and passes the user on to the app. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Okta Access Gateway both do this. Ask which login methods the old app accepts, such as headers or Kerberos, before you choose. ### What does conditional access check? Conditional access rules look at the context of a login before letting it through. Typical checks are the user's role, the health and ownership of the device, the network, the location and a risk score. Based on the result, the rule can allow the login, ask for another factor or block it. ### How long does an access management rollout take? It depends on how many apps you connect and how clean your directory is. Adding multi-factor login in front of an existing setup can be quick, while moving every app to a new sign-in platform takes longer. Customers of the larger platforms say setup took longer than planned, so ask each vendor for a phased plan. ## Sources These are the pages we reviewed for each pick: the vendor's own product page and website, its market data on Mandos, and every review page we read for customer feedback. 1. **Microsoft Entra ID** · Microsoft: [Product page](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/identity-access/microsoft-entra-id/) · [Microsoft website](https://www.microsoft.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/microsoft?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [Gartner Peer Insights: microsoft entra id](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/microsoft-entra-id) · [Gartner Peer Insights: microsoft entra id protection](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/microsoft-entra-id-protection) · [PeerSpot](https://www.peerspot.com/products/microsoft-entra-id-reviews) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-entra-id/reviews) · [Reddit: best alternative to microsoft entra and full](https://www.reddit.com/r/entra/comments/1nxohhu/best_alternative_to_microsoft_entra_and_full/) · [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/products/microsoft-entra-id/reviews) · [Reddit: azure ad renamed to microsoft entra id](https://www.reddit.com/r/AZURE/comments/14ww221/azure_ad_renamed_to_microsoft_entra_id/) · [Reddit: i dont understand microsoft entra any help](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1e670wo/i_dont_understand_microsoft_entra_any_help/) · [Reddit: wtf is a microsoft entra id tenant](https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsucks/comments/1l3z2nf/wtf_is_a_microsoft_entra_id_tenant/) 2. **Okta Single Sign-On** · Okta: [Product page](https://okta.com/products/single-sign-on-workforce-identity/) · [Okta website](https://www.okta.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/okta?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [Gartner Peer Insights: okta workforce identity](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/okta-workforce-identity) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/okta/reviews) · [Gartner Peer Insights: okta access gateway](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/okta-access-gateway) · [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/products/okta/reviews) · [Reddit: visibility for non ssoscim apps in okta](https://www.reddit.com/r/okta/comments/1qv3n4a/visibility_for_non_ssoscim_apps_in_okta/) · [Reddit: what does everyone do for loginsingle signon sso](https://www.reddit.com/r/devops/comments/76mhrm/what_does_everyone_do_for_loginsingle_signon_sso/) · [Reddit: slack and sso okta](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/hiah7f/slack_and_sso_okta/) 3. **Ping Identity Platform** · Ping Identity: [Product page](https://www.pingidentity.com/en/platform.html) · [Ping Identity website](https://www.pingidentity.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/ping-identity?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [Gartner Peer Insights](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/ping-identity-platforms) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/ping-identity/reviews) · [PeerSpot](https://www.peerspot.com/products/ping-identity-platform-reviews) · [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/products/ping-identity-pingone/reviews) · [Reddit: company wide identity provider](https://www.reddit.com/r/devops/comments/117yqln/company_wide_identity_provider/) · [Reddit: from your experience as an iam professional which](https://www.reddit.com/r/IdentityManagement/comments/1pj5gvk/from_your_experience_as_an_iam_professional_which/) · [Reddit: what do you think is the most popular identity](https://www.reddit.com/r/IdentityManagement/comments/7f5e8g/what_do_you_think_is_the_most_popular_identity/) 4. **Duo Access Management** · Duo Security: [Product page](https://duo.com/solutions/access-management) · [Duo Security website](https://duo.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/duo-security?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [Gartner Peer Insights](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/duo) · [PeerSpot](https://www.peerspot.com/products/cisco-duo-reviews) · [Reddit: company wants me to download duo mobile app on my](https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/1lg3vo5/company_wants_me_to_download_duo_mobile_app_on_my/) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews) · [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews) · [Reddit: why duo](https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/12pikgx/why_duo/) · [Reddit: experience with duo security thinking of](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/12ry4u3/experience_with_duo_security_thinking_of/) · [Reddit: talk me out of using duo security](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/jexczc/talk_me_out_of_using_duo_security/) · [Reddit: duo mfa vs duo access 2x worth it](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/ozstli/duo_mfa_vs_duo_access_2x_worth_it/) 5. **JumpCloud Conditional Access** · JumpCloud: [Product page](https://jumpcloud.com/platform/conditional-access/) · [JumpCloud website](https://jumpcloud.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/jumpcloud?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [PeerSpot](https://www.peerspot.com/products/jumpcloud-reviews) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/jumpcloud/reviews) · [Reddit: jumpcloud](https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/16a7zcl/jumpcloud/) · [Reddit: standard conditional access policies](https://www.reddit.com/r/JumpCloud/comments/17n2ws2/standard_conditional_access_policies/) · [Reddit: does jumpcloud support justintime access or](https://www.reddit.com/r/MDM_solution/comments/1j4pj2r/does_jumpcloud_support_justintime_access_or/) · [Reddit: conditional access for applications](https://www.reddit.com/r/JumpCloud/comments/na0lez/conditional_access_for_applications/) 6. **Broadcom Identity and Access Management** · Broadcom: [Product page](https://www.broadcom.com/products/identity/) · [Broadcom website](https://www.broadcom.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/broadcom?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [Gartner Peer Insights: symantec vip](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/symantec-vip) · [PeerSpot: symantec siteminder](https://www.peerspot.com/products/symantec-siteminder-reviews) · [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IdentityManagement/comments/1r70a52/igaiam_solutions_looking_for_recommendations/) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-iga/reviews) · [Gartner Peer Insights: symantec siteminder](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/symantec-siteminder) · [PeerSpot: symantec advanced authentication](https://www.peerspot.com/products/symantec-advanced-authentication-reviews) 7. **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** · F5: [Product page](https://www.f5.com/products/big-ip-services/zero-trust-access) · [F5 website](https://www.f5.com/) · [Market data on Mandos](https://mandos.io/data/companies/f5?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=shortlist-md-sources&utm_campaign=explore-in-mandos) · [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm/reviews) · [Gartner Peer Insights](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/product/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager) · [PeerSpot](https://www.peerspot.com/products/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-reviews) · [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/products/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager/reviews) --- For AI agents: every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on the vendors on this list: 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=shortlist-md