Best 10 Azure Active Directory Alternatives for Identity Management (2026)

JumpCloud is an open directory platform offering secure, frictionless IAM. The platform lets organizations unify their technology stack across identity, access, and devices in a cost-effective way. The integrated suite of IAM solutions is cloud-based and connects employees to the appropriate resources while configuring and securing remote devices.

JumpCloud Key Features

JumpCloud provides centralized identity controls including identity lifecycle management and cloud directory, alongside security and compliance capabilities like MFA, conditional access, and a secure password manager. Users get frictionless access with SSO, and admins can import identities from HR systems, develop custom workflows, and access on-premises resources via LDAP. Mobile device management is built in for centralized enrollment and management.

JumpCloud offers flexible a la carte or bundled plans that organizations can customize and scale as needed.

Our Take

We recommend JumpCloud for organizations of any size looking for a flexible, scalable, and secure IAM alternative. As a fully cloud-based platform, it’s well suited to supporting remote, hybrid, and on-premises workers.

SecureAuth are a California-based access control solutions provider, offering solutions for on-premises, cloud, and web applications. Arculix by SecureAuth is their access management and authentication solution which aims to reduce IAM-related breaches with zero trust initiatives. The product also helps to stay ahead of identity threats by leveraging actionable threat intelligence, boosting productivity, reducing operational costs, and providing scalability and visibility for applications. SecureAuth acquired biometric continuous identity assurance startup SessionGuard in late 2024, strengthening the platform’s real-time identity verification capabilities.

Arculix Key Features

The platform comes with a range of capabilities including intelligent multifactor authentication, passwordless authentication, adaptive authentication, and continuous authentication technology with real-time threat analytics and risk scores. Arculix uses AI and machine learning to build behavioral profiles for each user, continuously scoring risk based on device trust, browser context, and usage patterns. Authentication decisions happen in real time: low-risk sessions pass through invisibly, while anomalous behavior triggers step-up authentication. The Universal Authentication Fabric supports integration with Citrix VDI environments, Microsoft Entra ID passthrough, and SAML/OIDC-based applications. Passwordless options include biometrics, push notifications, and FIDO2 security keys, and users can authenticate via an iOS and Android authenticator app.

What Customers Say

Users appreciate the reduction in password-related helpdesk tickets and the frictionless login experience once behavioral profiles are established. The Citrix integration is a strong point for organizations with VDI-heavy environments. Something to be aware of is that initial configuration takes time, particularly for fine-tuning risk thresholds across different user populations. Reviews also flag that the admin interface has a learning curve compared to more established IAM platforms.

Our Take

We think Arculix is a good fit for organizations that are serious about going passwordless and want continuous authentication rather than point-in-time checks. The behavioral analytics approach is strong, and the SessionGuard acquisition adds biometric assurance that fills a gap in the platform. We would recommend this solution to organizations looking for a centralized administrative experience and enhanced risk scoring. If your environment includes Citrix VDI or you need flexible authentication orchestration, Arculix is worth evaluating.

Global leaders in identity security, CyberArk, provide comprehensive identity security across distributed workforces, hybrid cloud workloads, business applications and the DevOps lifecycle. Their solution, CyberArk Workforce Identity, is designed to secure cloud-centric digital enterprises. It allows organizations to defend against attacks, drive operational efficiencies, and improve compliance for remote workers, without disrupting the end-user experience. In February 2026, Palo Alto Networks announced its acquisition of CyberArk for approximately $25 billion; the deal is pending regulatory approval and the product continues to operate under the CyberArk brand.

CyberArk Workforce Identity Key Features

This product is feature rich, providing users with convenient, one-click access via single sign-on, helping to reduce password fatigue. Adaptive multi-factor authentication helps businesses to better protect against data loss and credential theft. CyberArk also provides strong lifecycle management, user behavior analytics, and directory services which let organizations centrally manage IT directories at scale. Users can safely access traditional applications, hosted in corporate data centers, with the same logins they use to access cloud apps. Endpoint MFA protects Windows and Mac login screens, VPN connections, and RDP sessions, extending identity verification beyond browser-based applications. The App Gateway provides agentless access to on-prem web applications without requiring a VPN, and CyberArk’s identity security intelligence engine analyzes access patterns to detect anomalies across both standard and privileged users.

What Customers Say

Users value the tight integration between workforce and privileged access management, which provides a unified view of identity risk across the organization. The endpoint MFA is well-received for securing workstation logins and RDP sessions. With that said, reviews flag that the platform’s depth can make initial deployment complex, particularly for organizations not already using CyberArk PAM. Users also mention that pricing sits at the higher end of the market.

Our Take

CyberArk Workforce Identity allows users to pick and choose the IAM capabilities necessary to their specific needs, with pricing for each core feature available on their website. We would recommend this product to organizations who are interested in a unified IAM solution with everything needed to secure identities in a single product. If you’re evaluating this product, factor in the Palo Alto Networks acquisition; long-term product roadmap and integration plans are still being clarified.

ForgeRock are leaders in digital identity management, providing end-to-end, AI-driven products that are purpose built for a range of environments and identities to secure thousands of customers globally. ForgeRock merged with Ping Identity in August 2023, and ForgeRock products have since been rebranded under the Ping name. The ForgeRock Identity Platform remains available as a self-managed deployment option for organizations that need full control over their identity infrastructure. We think it’s still one of the strongest options for enterprises that require on-prem or private cloud deployment with deep customization capabilities.

ForgeRock Identity Platform Key Features

The solution lets you build and customize access via contextual security, then leverage AI and machine learning to monitor logins, mitigate risk, and automate users’ access controls. The platform supports the growing access and identity needs of workforces with strong identity management and identity governance capabilities, allowing organizations to manage identity relationships across all channels. You can further mitigate risk via edge security, SDKs, and intelligent access. The platform supports workforce, customer, and IoT identity management from a single codebase. The identity orchestration engine enables visual, drag-and-drop workflow design for complex authentication and registration journeys. Self-managed deployment means you control the infrastructure, data residency, and update schedule, supporting SAML, OIDC, OAuth 2.0, and UMA with extensive API coverage for custom integrations.

What Customers Say

Users praise the flexibility of self-managed deployment and the depth of customization available through the orchestration engine. The ability to handle millions of identities in customer-facing scenarios is well-regarded in banking and telecom. Something to be aware of is that self-managed deployment requires dedicated identity engineering expertise, and the platform has a steep learning curve. Reviews also note that licensing and support structures have been in transition since the Ping Identity merger.

Our Take

The ForgeRock Identity Platform is a full-featured IAM solution largely used by the retail, government, healthcare, communications, media, and financial sectors. We would recommend it to organizations in these industries or those looking for a strong, scalable, and customizable IAM solution. Be aware that the product is being integrated into the broader PingOne ecosystem, so evaluate current licensing and roadmap commitments carefully.

IBM is an American multinational technology corporation, operating in over 171 countries, with headquarters in Armonk, New York. IBM Verify (formerly IBM Security Verify, rebranded in August 2025) offers intelligent context to support security decisions regarding access to an organization’s data and applications, on-premises or in the cloud. The solution provides deep, AI-powered context for both workforce and consumer IAM needs. We think it stands out for large enterprises that need IAM tightly integrated with broader security operations and hybrid cloud infrastructure.

IBM Verify Key Features

IBM Verify is IBM’s identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) platform. Its core features include centralized access control for on-premises and cloud applications with single sign-on; advanced authentication via MFA and passwordless login; and adaptive access using machine learning to evaluate user risk in real time. The platform also provides consent management, lifecycle management, and identity analytics. Built-in identity governance includes access reviews, separation-of-duties enforcement, and automated provisioning across cloud and on-prem applications. AI-powered risk scoring draws on IBM’s threat intelligence, and integration with IBM Security QRadar gives SOC teams visibility into identity events alongside endpoint, network, and cloud telemetry.

What Customers Say

Users rate IBM Verify highly and praise the integrations and customizations. Users value the depth of identity governance capabilities alongside access management, which reduces the need for separate IGA tooling. With that said, users report that the platform’s breadth creates a steep learning curve, and configuring advanced adaptive access policies requires significant time. Reviews also flag that the admin console can feel dated compared to cloud-native IAM competitors.

Our Take

IBM Verify bases its prices on actual usage, ensuring you only pay for what you use. You can add or remove users or product use cases at your own pace, and IBM offers a free trial of the solution. We would recommend this solution to organizations who are currently using legacy, on-premises apps but would like to make a smooth transition to the cloud, at their own pace, and to large enterprises already invested in IBM’s security ecosystem where the integration with QRadar and threat intelligence adds real value.

Okta, founded in 2009, are a leading identity and access management provider based in San Francisco. Okta Workforce Identity Cloud is their enterprise grade identity management service that allows organizations to manage employee access to all applications and devices. The solution is built for the cloud, but is also compatible with many on-premises applications. We think Okta is a strong default choice for organizations that need fast deployment, broad application coverage, and reliable SSO and MFA without heavy customization.

Okta Workforce Identity Cloud Key Features

Okta Workforce Identity incorporates a range of identity solutions that combine to build the stack your organization needs. These include secure single sign-on, adaptive multi-factor authentication, advanced server access, and a single directory for all users, groups, and devices. The solution also offers API access management to prevent API breaches, and lifecycle management which automates provisioning and deprovisioning via SCIM. The Okta Integration Network (OIN) provides over 7,400 pre-built application connectors, meaning most SaaS applications work out of the box with minimal configuration. Okta FastPass provides passwordless desktop authentication, and Okta Identity Governance adds access requests, certifications, and entitlement management to the core platform. Pricing carries a $1,500 annual contract minimum, with volume discounts available for Enterprise customers with more than 5,000 users.

What Customers Say

Okta Workforce Identity Cloud is popular amongst large enterprises and supports IT teams in managing access across any person, device, or application. Users praise how feature rich and stable the product is. Something to be aware of is that advanced features like Identity Governance and Privileged Access are sold as add-on modules, which increases total cost for organizations that need the full stack. Reviews also flag that Okta’s pricing model can be complex, with per-user costs that scale up as you add features.

Our Take

We would recommend Okta Workforce Identity Cloud to organizations looking for an IAM product that is highly flexible but also straightforward to set up and use. The 7,400+ pre-built connectors mean most applications work with minimal setup. If you need deep identity governance or privileged access management, factor in the add-on costs; the core platform is strong for SSO and MFA, but the full IAM stack gets expensive.

One Identity is a leader in identity and access management, offering a complete IAM solution with One Identity Fabric: an ecosystem that connects identity tools across identity governance, access management, privileged access, and Active Directory management. OneLogin is their cloud-based SSO, MFA, and identity management platform for internal employees and external users.

OneLogin by One Identity Key Features

OneLogin supports flexible authentication factors including OTPs, a dedicated app, voice, email, SMS, biometrics, and hardware tokens. SmartFactor Authentication and the Vigilance AI threat engine analyze first-and-third-party data to build a profile of typical user behavior and catch suspicious logins with tougher MFA controls. The platform supports SSO, passwordless authentication, AD Sync, VLDAP, RADIUS, RDG, and RD Web Access, with 6,000+ out-of-the-box integrations. Deployment options include cloud, hybrid, and on-premises.

Our Take

We recommend OneLogin by One Identity for teams looking for a modern, easy-to-use cloud-based access management platform as an alternative to Azure AD. The coverage across the whole identity lifecycle, including IAM, IGA, PAM, and user authentication from a single admin console, is a strong selling point. Pricing starts at $4/user/month for workforce IAM including SSO and MFA.

Founded in 2002, Ping Identity is a provider of federated identity management and self-hosted identity access management – linking identities across separate identity management systems. PingOne for Workforce is part of the PingOne Cloud Platform, which delivers a comprehensive range of cloud IAM services for both workforces and customers, allowing users to easily manage their identities in one place. Following the 2023 merger with ForgeRock, Ping now offers both cloud-delivered and self-managed deployment options across workforce and customer identity.

PingOne for Workforce Key Features

The platform provides multiple capabilities including passwordless options, MFA, and risk management which integrates into authentication flows and policies. PingOne DaVinci is the platform’s orchestration engine, providing a visual, no-code interface for building authentication and access workflows that span multiple identity providers and applications. PingOne Protect delivers real-time threat detection using behavioral analytics and device intelligence to identify session hijacking, credential stuffing, and account takeover attempts. The platform uses real-time fraud detection across web and mobile channels to identify suspicious events during user sessions. Passwordless authentication options include FIDO2, mobile push, and biometric verification. PingOne Authorize adds fine-grained, policy-based authorization for API and application-level access control. Pricing is available in three plans: Essential ($3 per user, per month), Plus ($6 per user, per month), and Premium (contact PingOne directly for a quote).

What Customers Say

Users value the DaVinci orchestration engine for its flexibility in building complex authentication flows without custom code. The threat detection capabilities are well-received in banking and healthcare environments. Something to be aware of is that the platform’s depth creates a learning curve, and the ecosystem still includes multiple admin interfaces from the pre-merger product lines. Reviews also note that support response times can be slow for non-critical issues.

Our Take

We would recommend PingOne for Workforce to larger enterprises due to its cost, particularly those with wide customer usage or who require a high level of identity security for compliance or confidentiality purposes. The DaVinci engine is a real differentiator for organizations with complex authentication requirements. If you need a simpler deployment with less configuration overhead, other options on this list may be more appropriate; PingOne’s strength is flexibility, not out-of-the-box simplicity.

RSA Security is an American computer and network security company, founded in 1982. They are a global leader in the IAM space, helping organizations to assure digital identities throughout their lifecycle for stronger security. RSA SecurID is an enterprise-class authentication platform which brings together identity governance, multi-factor authentication, lifecycle management, and risk-based management to secure user access. RSA is actively rebranding SecurID-branded products under the RSA name, with the cloud platform now marketed as RSA ID Plus.

RSA SecurID Key Features

With powerful machine learning algorithms, RSA SecurID allows IT professionals to set up risk-based authentication and versatile multi-factor authentication, utilizing various methodologies which include one-time passwords (OTP), push notifications, biometric fingerprints, and FIDO tokens. The solution allows admins to automate monitoring, certification, reporting, and entitlement remediation from a centralized platform. RSA ID Plus is the cloud-delivered platform, offering SSO, risk-based MFA, identity governance, and lifecycle management. The Sovereign Deployment option is designed for organizations with strict data residency and availability requirements, enabling fully isolated, customer-controlled deployments. The Identity Router can be deployed on AWS, Azure, VMware, and Hyper-V, providing bridge connectivity between cloud and on-prem resources. RSA Authentication Manager 8.8 remains available for organizations that need on-prem-only MFA. RSA offers a free trial of the solution; contact the sales team directly for pricing information.

What Customers Say

Overall, this solution is rated highly by users, with particular praise given to the strong feature set and ease of use. Users in government, finance, and healthcare praise RSA’s track record and the reliability of hardware token-based authentication for high-security environments. The hybrid deployment flexibility is well-received by organizations that can’t go fully cloud. With that said, reviews mention that the admin console feels dated compared to newer cloud-native platforms, and users note that migrating from Authentication Manager to ID Plus requires careful planning.

Our Take

RSA SecurID is suited to support the identity risk management needs of businesses in sectors like retail, finance, education, healthcare, telecommunication, and travel. The ID Plus Sovereign Deployment option is a strong differentiator for government and defense use cases. We would recommend this solution to businesses of any size interested in a platform that supports third-party integrations and offers flexible deployment across cloud, on-prem, and sovereign environments.

Thales are a global technology leader with over 81,000 employees across five continents. Thales SafeNet Trusted Access is their trusted enterprise solution for IAM, which provides users with strong authentication capabilities, allows for a passwordless experience, and combines features like MFA and SSO with strong security infrastructure. We think the authentication flexibility is the standout capability here: the platform supports hardware tokens, mobile apps, push notifications, SMS, and email OTP, all managed from a single interface.

Thales SafeNet Trusted Access Key Features

SafeNet Trusted Access comes with strong IAM features, such as Smart Single Sign-On, which is applied intelligently based on previous authentications and allows users to log into all of their cloud applications with just one identity. The solution uses a variety of authentication methods and supports flexible scenario-based access policies which allow for enforcement of policies at the user, group, or application level. As it is a cloud-based solution, SafeNet Trusted Access can be rapidly deployed and is highly scalable. User-based licensing means one license covers multiple authentication methods per person, which keeps costs predictable as you add authentication types. Conditional access policies let you treat high-risk applications differently based on user groups and network zones. SafeNet Trusted Access supports SAML, OIDC, WS-Fed, cloud-based RADIUS, and REST/SCIM APIs, giving you broad integration options across cloud and on-prem resources. Thales was named a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Access Management. Contact the Thales sales team directly for pricing information.

What Customers Say

Users appreciate having SSO, MFA policies, and token management in one location, and the built-in reports handle most audit requirements without custom scripting. The self-service portal reduces helpdesk load for tasks like PIN resets. Something to be aware of is that SAML and OIDC integrations require trial and error, as error messages lack specificity. Users also flag that the admin interface spreads options across multiple screens, creating a learning curve for new administrators.

Our Take

SafeNet Trusted Access gives you the power to control access to all apps with the right policy, allowing you to effectively enforce the correct authentication method for the correct user. We would recommend SafeNet to organizations that need a tailored approach to user authentication that is quick to deploy and scales easily to meet the organization’s evolving needs. If your environment includes contractors, partners, and employees with varying access requirements, the user-based licensing and conditional policies pay off.