Top 10 identity and access management (IAM) software tools

Consider this scenario: A new hire joins your company and needs access to a dozen different systems. IT spends hours manually creating accounts and specifying permissions. A few months later, that employee moves to a new role, and their access needs to be updated across all those systems. Then, they leave the company, and IT has to track down and disable every account.

Imagine how much time and effort could be saved—and how much more secure your organization would be—if this entire process was automated. That's where identity and access management (IAM) comes in. IAM solutions provide a centralized way to manage user identities, authentication, and access controls across an organization's IT environment. They ensure that the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right time while preventing unauthorized access that could compromise security.

In this article, we'll explore the best access management software solutions, examining their features, pros and cons, and key integrations.

What is identity and access management software?

In simple terms, IAM software helps organizations manage who has access to what. It provides a central platform for handling all the digital identities across your company—employees, contractors, partners, and even customers. You can easily create, modify, and delete user accounts, set up rules for who can access which systems and data, and monitor user activity to ensure everything remains secure.

Benefits of implementing an identity and access management system

IAM systems offers a number of key benefits which include:

Stronger security safeguards 

IAM isn't just about making life easier for IT. It's a critical part of any organization's security strategy. By centralizing control over user access, IAM helps prevent data breaches, insider threats, and compliance violations. 

Streamlined access management 

Manually dealing with access requests, account setups, and permission changes is a huge drain on IT resources. The beauty of IAM is that it automates these processes, so you're not constantly bogged down.

For example: When a new hire starts, IAM can instantly create all their necessary accounts based on their role, department, and location—no manual intervention required. By reducing the time and effort spent on repetitive access management tasks, IAM allows IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Simplified regulatory compliance 

IAM software helps organizations comply with strict data protection regulations like HIPAA in healthcare or GDPR when it comes to the use of consumer data. It provides tools to implement and enforce access controls that meet regulatory requirements, helping avoid fines and reputational damage.

Improved user productivity 

IAM enhances productivity by offering a seamless login experience across applications. Single sign-on (SSO) reduces the need for multiple passwords, while self-service options allow users to manage access and reset passwords without IT assistance. This reduces friction and downtime, keeping employees focused on their work.

Scalable and flexible administration 

As companies grow and change, their access management needs evolve. New applications are adopted, users come and go, and roles and permissions need to be updated. IAM solutions are designed to handle this constant change at scale. 

Cost and resource optimization 

While IAM systems require initial investment, they often lead to long-term savings. By automating access management tasks, they reduce manual IT work and support costs. Consolidating identity management functions also allows organizations to retire legacy systems and avoid the costs of maintaining disparate tools.

The 10 best identity and access management solutions

In this section, we'll take a closer look at ten of the best IAM software providers on the market. 

Whether you're looking to automate provisioning, implement SSO, or build a more robust zero trust framework, these IAM platforms have you covered.

Rippling

As an all-in-one workforce platform, Rippling offers a uniquely powerful approach to identity management. We help organizations drive IAM processes directly from a single up-to-date employee record. Rippling automates the entire identity lifecycle—from provisioning and SSO to offboarding—and dynamically adjusts access based on real-time user data. The result is efficiency, control, and peace of mind.

Key features of Rippling

• Automatically provision and deprovision user accounts across 500+ applications with one click
• Enforce granular, role-based access policies based on employee attributes like department, location and employment status
• Secure every app with a flexible mix of SSO, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and device trust policies
• Unify identity management across your entire IT ecosystem, including Mac, Windows, and cloud platforms
• Generate detailed audit trails and compliance reports with built-in monitoring tools

Integrations

Rippling's IAM solution integrates with over 600+ applications out-of-the-box, including popular tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, GitHub, AWS, and Salesforce. The platform also provides a robust set of APIs and pre-built connectors to extend identity management to custom internal systems and less common SaaS apps, including support for custom SAML 2.0 and SCIM integrations. This allows companies to centrally manage access across their entire IT footprint.

Pros:

• Provides employees one-click access to all their apps from any device
• Enables self-service access requests and approvals to reduce IT burden
• Scales effortlessly to meet evolving identity needs, from 2 to 2,000+ employees
• Automatically removes access for terminated employees to eliminate ghost accounts

Cons: 

• Pricing can be higher compared to standalone IAM tools, though Rippling provides additional functionality, such as unique integrations (401K, compliance), consolidated billing options, advanced Google offboarding, and Data Connectors for certain applications.
• Small learning curve when leveraging extensive features and configurability

Okta

Okta is an independent identity provider that enables secure access management for any technology. Its workforce identity cloud unifies a person’s identity across multiple clouds, apps, and devices, empowering organizations to boost productivity, reduce costs, and enhance security. 

Key features of Okta

• Adaptive multi-factor authentication intelligently secures user access based on dynamic risk factors
• Universal directory serves as a flexible, cloud-based user store to centralize identity  management
• Okta FastPass enables passwordless authentication across web and mobile apps for seamless login
• Lifecycle management automates user provisioning and deprovisioning to ensure appropriate access

Integrations

Okta offers over 7,000+ pre-built integrations, allowing companies to easily connect Okta to their existing cloud and on-premises applications. 

Pros:

• Enables rapid integration with a wide range of cloud and on-prem systems
• Reduces IT workload through automated user provisioning and self-service capabilities
• Strengthens security posture with enforced MFA, centralized access policies, and AI-powered threat detection

Cons:

• High contract minimums which may not be suitable for smaller organizations
• Frequent issues with SSO functionality and mobile device authentication leading to login loops and frustration
• Initial setup and configuration can be complex for non-standard deployments

Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is an IAM solution that securely connects users to the resources they need. It provides seamless SSO, MFA, and automated user provisioning across multiple apps and devices. With a wide range of capabilities and integrations, Entra ID helps organizations protect their data, boost productivity, and streamline IT processes.

Key features of Microsoft Entra ID

• Adaptive access policies evaluate sign-in risk in real time and enforce MFA when needed
• Passwordless authentication options like Windows Hello, FIDO2 security keys, and Microsoft Authenticator app
• Privileged identity management (PIM) enables granular access control and just-in-time administration for sensitive roles
• Entitlement management streamlines access requests, approvals, and auditing for internal and external users

Integrations

Entra ID integrates with over 800 apps out-of-the-box, including popular SaaS solutions like Office 365, Salesforce, Workday, and ServiceNow. It also provides secure hybrid access to on-premises web apps via Azure AD Application Proxy, and enables SSO to custom-built apps using open standards like SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect.

Pros:

• Scales to support millions of users and integrates with existing systems like Active Directory
• Simplifies compliance with centralized auditing, access reviews, and built-in regulatory controls
• Reduces help desk costs through self-service password reset and access requests

Cons:

• Advanced features like PIM and entitlement management require premium licensing
• Some third-party app integrations are limited compared to native Microsoft apps
• Limited flexibility and customization options

IBM

IBM Security Verify is an IAM platform that offers a wide range of capabilities, including SSO, MFA, AI-powered threat detection, adaptive access, lifecycle and consent management, and integration with legacy systems. 

Key features of IBM

• Automated user provisioning and lifecycle management to efficiently manage access throughout employment
• Centralized access management across cloud, mobile, and on-premises applications
• Adaptive, risk-based authentication that leverages AI to continuously assess login risk
• Passwordless authentication options, including FIDO2 and biometrics, for enhanced security and user convenience

Integrations

IBM Security Verify supports 400+ third-party service providers, enabling organizations to connect the platform with their existing IT ecosystem. Just like Entra ID, it supports open standards like SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect for seamless interoperability, and provides pre-built connectors for popular applications and identity sources.

Pros:

• Provides secure experience with risk-based access control, authentication and unified launchpad
• Improves security posture with advanced threat detection and adaptive access policies
• Offers flexible deployment options, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid models

Cons:

• Can be complex to configure and customize, especially for organizations with diverse IT environments
• Pricing model may be expensive for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets
• Non-intuitive user interface

Oracle

Oracle offers an integrated suite of IAM solutions that enable organizations to effectively manage user identities and access across hybrid IT environments. The platform provides end-to-end capabilities for identity governance, access management, and directory services, helping enterprises streamline IAM processes, strengthen security, and achieve compliance. 

Key features of Oracle

• Centralized identity lifecycle management with automated provisioning and deprovisioning
• Privileged account management to control and monitor access to sensitive resources
• Strong enterprise-grade security controls and certifications
• Highly scalable to support large user populations and complex IT ecosystems

Integrations

Oracle Identity Cloud streamlines third-party app integration using open standards like SCIM, OAuth 2.0, SAML 2.0, and OpenID Connect. The platform integrates with popular applications such as ServiceNow, Slack, Confluence, and JIRA, enabling SSO configuration from start to finish.

Pros:

• Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end identity management
• Robust identity analytics capabilities for risk assessment and compliance reporting
• Flexibility to customize and extend functionality through APIs and SDKs

Cons:

• Steep learning curve due to the breadth and depth of features
• Some UI components can feel dated and less intuitive compared to modern alternatives
• Relies heavily on Oracle middleware stack, which may not suit all organizations

OneLogin

OneLogin is a cloud-based system that provides secure SSO, MFA, and user provisioning for a wide range of applications. It enables organizations to manage employee access across on-premises and cloud apps, streamline onboarding and offboarding processes, and enforce strong security policies. 

Key features of OneLogin

• Single sign-on for one-click access to all assigned apps, both cloud and on-premises
• Centralized cloud directory to manage users across multiple sources like AD, LDAP, and HR systems
• Self-service password reset and extensive customization options to fit business workflows
• Adaptive authentication using AI-powered risk insights to enforce MFA when needed

Integrations

OneLogin offers over 6,000 pre-built integrations with popular applications like Office 365, G-Suite, Salesforce, and Slack, enabling rapid deployment of SSO. The platform also provides robust APIs and SDKs for developers to extend functionality and build custom integrations.

Pros:

• Streamlines user lifecycle management with automated provisioning and deprovisioning
• Intuitive interface with simple-to-understand workflows
• Provides a developer-friendly platform for customization and integration

Cons: 

• Users suggest that frequent password changes can be exhausting 
• Customer support responsiveness and issue resolution times can vary

1Password

1Password is a password management solution that simplifies and secures access for businesses and enterprises. It offers features beyond basic password storage and autofill, providing a range of capabilities to streamline user management while protecting user privacy.

Key features of 1Password

• Autofill for various form items, including login credentials, security question answers, and MFA codes
• Vault management for safeguarding multiple accounts and passwords within an organization
• Passkeys feature for passwordless access to accounts using special encryption keys
• Watchtower for monitoring website security and alerting users of compromised passwords

Integrations

1Password integrates with popular identity providers like Okta, AWS, GitHub, Slack, Microsoft, and Google Workspace through a SCIM bridge, enabling automated provisioning and deprovisioning of users. It also connects with SIEM tools, 2FA solutions, and developer tools to enhance visibility and strengthen security posture.

Pros:

• Excellent password sharing capabilities
• Secure syncing in real time between devices
• Useful browser extensions 

Cons:

• Limited flexibility in login frequency options
• Mobile app could be better
• Learning curve for advanced features and settings

JumpCloud

JumpCloud is a comprehensive cloud directory platform that simplifies identity, access, and device management. It offers a centralized solution for managing user identities, enforcing security policies, and ensuring streamlined access to resources across different operating systems and applications.

Key features of JumpCloud

• Centralized user identity management across various platforms and applications
• Device management capabilities for enforcing policies and ensuring compliance
• Directory-level event visibility with real-time data across user identities, devices, and resources
• Cloud RADIUS allows centralized authentication to Wi-Fi networks and VPNs without hardware requirements

Integrations

JumpCloud integrates with 800+ applications, including Okta, Zoho, Workday, CrowdStrike, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365. Its extensive integration capabilities allow organizations to establish a cohesive IT ecosystem, simplifying user and device management.

Pros:

• Seamless zero-touch deployment and implementation
• Friendly and straightforward user interface 
• Responsive and helpful customer support

Cons:

• It can be quite pricey especially for companies with limited budgets
• Initial setup can be daunting
• Limited Linux support

SailPoint

SailPoint is an identity security platform that helps organizations manage and secure access to critical data and applications. It offers a unified approach to identity governance, access management, and compliance, allowing enterprises to efficiently control and monitor user access across their hybrid IT environments.

Key features of SailPoint

• AI-driven identity analytics for identifying and mitigating potential access risks
• Role-based access control (RBAC) for streamlined access management and governance
• Certification campaigns for periodic review and validation of user access rights
• Extensive customization options to tailor the solution to specific business requirements

Integrations

SailPoint offers an extensive catalog of 238 connectors and integrations, enabling organizations to seamlessly extend identity security to hundreds of critical applications. These integrations such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Active Directory, Salesforce, Oracle and SAP Concur ensure that the right users have access to the right systems and resources.

Pros:

• Robust and flexible identity governance capabilities
• Customizable developer-friendly tool
• Responsive customer support

Cons: 

• High level of bugs and cache issues which can disrupt performance
• Installation and initial setup can prove difficult
• Some inconsistencies in user interface across different product modules

Ping Identity

Ping Identity is an identity access management tool that offers SSO, MFA, directory services, and more. It helps enterprises balance security and user experience for workforce, customer, and partner identity types with various cloud deployment options, including identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) and containerized software.

Key features of Ping Identity

• Identity governance and access management for improved compliance
• API security and access management for developers
• Self-service password management and user provisioning
• Centralized administration and policy management

Integrations

Ping Identity offers a wide array of integration options, with over 1,800 pre-built connectors and SDKs available through the Ping Identity Integration Directory. 

Pros: 

• Offers a wide range of authentication methods, including certificate-based authentication for BYOD devices
• Strong focus on standards compliance (SAML, OAuth, OIDC, etc.)
• Effective access management

Cons: 

• The product suite consists of multiple components (PingFederate, PingID, PingDirectory, etc.), which can be confusing for customers to navigate and make decisions about
• Non-intuitive user interface 
• Documentation can be confusing

Main capabilities of IAM solutions

Unified single sign-on 

Single sign-on is a core feature of modern IAM platforms. With SSO, users only have to remember one set of credentials to access everything they need, rather than juggling multiple usernames and passwords. This improves user experience and reduces password fatigue.

Intelligent multi-factor authentication 

While passwords are the most common form of authentication, they're also the most vulnerable. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional proof of their identity, such as a fingerprint scan, security token, or one-time code sent to their phone. IAM solutions offer flexible MFA options that can be tailored based on the sensitivity of the resource and the user's risk profile. 

Granular role-based access controls 

With role-based access control (RBAC), IAM administrators can define permissions based on a user's job function rather than assigning them individually. This simplifies access management and ensures users have only the necessary privileges for their roles, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misuse.

Automated provisioning and deprovisioning 

IAM software automates account management throughout user lifecycles by integrating with HR systems and directories. This reduces manual work, minimizes errors, and ensures appropriate access levels.

Centralized auditing and reporting 

IAM solutions provide detailed audit trails of all access activities, including who accessed what, when, where, and how. This data can be used to generate compliance reports, investigate security incidents, and identify areas for improvement. Real-time monitoring tools can also alert administrators to suspicious behavior, such as multiple failed login attempts or unusual access patterns.

Robust integration and interoperability 

Leading IAM solutions offer pre-built connectors and APIs to integrate with a wide range of applications, directories, and other identity sources. This allows organizations to centrally manage access policies across on-premises systems, cloud services, and even third-party applications. Support for standards like SAML, OAuth, and SCIM ensures that the IAM tool can communicate with other identity systems and extend its reach across the IT ecosystem.

Seamlessly manage identity and access with Rippling

While there are many IAM solutions on the market, Rippling stands out for its unique approach of unifying identity and access management with HR and IT automation. It connects all of an organization's systems, apps, and devices, allowing companies to easily manage the entire employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding.

Rippling's IAM capabilities are powered by this centralized employee data, providing unmatched automation and control. Organizations can automatically provision and deprovision user accounts across 600+ applications with just a few clicks. Access policies can be dynamically updated based on employee attributes such as role, department, location, or employment status.

For example: If a sales rep is promoted to sales manager, Rippling can automatically update their permissions in Salesforce, Slack, and other relevant systems based on the access rules for their new role. Or if an employee is let go, Rippling can instantly disable all their accounts and revoke their device access. This level of automation not only saves time but also significantly reduces security risks associated with manual access management processes.

Learn how Rippling can simplify access management at your organization.

Frequently asked questions

What is identity and access management?

Identity and access management is the set of processes and technologies used to make sure the right people have access to the right resources at the right times. It involves defining and managing the roles and access privileges of individual users and the circumstances under which those users are granted (or denied) those privileges.

What is an example of access management?

Let's say your company hires a new software engineer. As part of the onboarding process, the engineer needs to be granted access to several systems. With IAM software, this process can be largely automated. The IT admin would simply assign the new hire to the "software engineer" role, and the IAM system would automatically provision the appropriate level of access to each of those systems based on predefined policies. If the engineer's role or project assignments change, their access rights can be easily updated in the IAM system, which then propagates those changes to all connected applications.

Which is the best IAM software?

Choosing the right IAM software depends on a variety of factors, including your organization's size, IT environment, security needs, and budget. However, Rippling is an excellent choice for companies of all sizes looking for powerful automation, extensive integrations, and an intuitive interface. By unifying IAM with HR and IT processes, Rippling provides a comprehensive solution that accelerates onboarding, ensures consistent policies, and enables efficient lifecycle management for identities across the business.

This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of July 3rd, 2024.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.