Okta has established itself as a leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM), providing powerful user authentication and authorization across many industries.
However, Okta may not always be the best choice for smaller organizations or organizations seeking a flexible, cost-effective security solution.
Today’s IAM market is filled with a variety of options, each with distinct capabilities tailored to meet the demands of a variety of businesses.
To ensure that these IAM solutions align with your organization’s specific goals, budget, and cybersecurity policy, it is essential to evaluate these solutions before making a final decision.
Key Criteria for Selecting an Okta Alternative in 2025
With 80% of breaches linked to compromised identities, organizations need IAM solutions that provide seamless access control and resilient user verification. Let us examine the critical factors to consider when selecting an IAM provider in today’s complex security landscape.
Essential Features to Evaluate
- User Authentication: IAM solutions should simplify user verification with security controls such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), biometrics, and password protection, ensuring that only verified users gain access.
- User Authorization: Strong authorization solutions allow administrators to assign permissions precisely, granting privileged access only to authorized individuals and limiting exposure to sensitive resources.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): By enabling users to access multiple applications with a single credential set, SSO mitigates password fatigue and enhances endpoint visibility and monitoring.
- Zero Trust Architecture: Built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” Zero Trust adds layers of control, minimizing lateral movement and enforcing strict access validation.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): This feature simplifies access management by assigning permissions based on user roles, ensuring everyone has the correct access level to do their jobs securely.
- Audit and Reporting: Maintaining audit trails is essential for tracking activities and detecting anomalies. Effective IAM solutions offer comprehensive reporting to support compliance and enhance transparency.
Cost Considerations
- Budget Suitability: Assess total costs, including licensing, deployment, maintenance, and scalability to ensure they align with your organization’s budget.
- Flexible Pricing Models: Seek IAM providers that offer customizable and transparent pricing structures to support your financial planning and scalability goals.
Usability and Integration Capabilities
- User-Friendly Interface: A well-designed IAM solution should be intuitive, with a streamlined interface that simplifies deployment and maintenance for all users.
- Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure: Your IAM solution should seamlessly integrate with current IT systems, cloud environments, and directories to support a cohesive resource management experience.
Customer Support and Resources
- Reliability of Customer Support: Quick, accessible support is crucial, especially during security incidents. Evaluate provider response times, support channels, and community resources.
Top Okta Alternatives for IAM in 2025
1. Silverfort
Pros: Silverfort offers a comprehensive identity security solution that extends across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. Its robust MFA, Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR), SSO capabilities, and adaptive deny policies provide complete visibility and control over user activity.
Cons: While not a traditional IAM solution, it integrates with every IAM platform.
Pricing: Contact Silverfort for tailored pricing information.
Best for: Organizations seeking a unified solution to enforce security across cloud and on-premises systems seamlessly.
2. Jump Cloud
Pros: As a cloud-native solution, Jump Cloud offers extensive device authentication and configuration policies for secure identity management.
Cons: Limited SSO capabilities and requires complex configurations.
Pricing: Starts at $13 per user per month, with annual billing; additional user lifecycle management at $11 per user per month.
Best for: Companies prioritizing a cloud-native approach to IAM, especially in tech or educational sectors.
3. CyberArk Identity Security
Pros: Known for its intuitive interface and privileged access management, CyberArk offers MFA and self-hosting options that integrate easily with other security solutions.
Cons: Limited reporting features and less comprehensive documentation.
Pricing: Tiered subscriptions available upon request, including a 30-day free trial.
Best for: Large enterprises requiring robust access controls and data security management.
4. OneLogin
Pros: Delivers adaptive MFA and customizable options within an intuitive interface.
Cons: Requires reliable internet access and may experience unexpected logouts.
Pricing: Starts at $2 per user per month for SSO, with minimum users required. Advanced MFA features start at $4 per user per month.
Best for: Medium-to-large organizations with moderate security requirements.
5. Ping Identity
Pros: Offers flexible MFA across devices and environments, supporting on-premises, cloud, and hybrid configurations.
Cons: Primarily tailored for larger enterprises; limited offline functionality and reliance on internet connectivity for notifications.
Pricing: Begins at $20,000 annually; 30-day trial available.
Best for: Large enterprises with scaling needs and complex infrastructure requirements.
6. Oracle Identity Cloud Service
Pros: Oracle’s cloud IAM solution is user-friendly, automates access management, and simplifies deployment.
Cons: Customization is complex, and the service may be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses.
Pricing: Quotation-based plans billed monthly based on user activity.
Best for: Large organizations with high data security requirements and a budget to match.
7. Cisco Duo Security
Pros: Cloud-based IAM platform with reliable MFA and seamless authentication processes.
Cons: Notification delays and configuration limitations for advanced access control.
Pricing: Subscription-based, starting at $3 per user per month; a free plan is available.
Best for: Enterprises requiring centralized IAM solutions with flexible pricing.
8. Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD)
Pros: Offers a comprehensive ecosystem that supports hybrid environments, allowing organizations to manage on-premises and cloud resources efficiently.
Cons: The platform may involve a steeper learning curve for organizations not already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, and its advanced features can require additional licenses.
Pricing: Free and tiered paid plans start at $6 per user per month, with advanced security and governance features available in the Premium P2 plan at $9 per user per month.
Best for: Enterprises deeply integrated with Microsoft products and those seeking a unified identity management solution with strong hybrid and cloud capabilities.
Best Okta Alternatives: Making Your Final Decision
Selecting the right IAM solution hinges on your organization’s unique needs. While traditional or high-cost IAM tools may be impractical for small-to-medium enterprises, larger organizations face risks if they adopt tools that lack essential security features. By following the criteria outlined here and conducting an internal assessment of your needs and budget, you will be well-equipped to make an informed choice.
Looking for an IAM solution that scales with your environment? Explore Silverfort’s unified identity security platform to see how it can fortify your access control and user verification. Book a demo today to learn more!