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Best Identity & Access Tools in 2026

Identity management and SSO

90 tools evaluated · 10 top picks · Updated September 2026

Key Takeaways
  • 1Password is our overall pick for identity & access in 2026. Swiftlane is our free pick.
  • We analyzed 90 identity & access tools to create this ranking.
  • 4 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.

Identity and access management (IAM) has consolidated around enterprise SSO providers (Okta, Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD, Google Workspace) and SaaS-native developer identity platforms (Auth0, Clerk, Stytch). The choice depends on whether you're securing workforce access or building authentication into a product.

7 Top Identity & Access Tools Compared

Starting price, average user rating, and our pick for each category.

ToolOur takeStarting priceRating
1Password logo
1Password
Best overall$2.99/mo4.7
LastPass logo
LastPass
Best free tier$3/mo4.6
JumpCloud logo
JumpCloud
Solid pick$9/mo4.4
1password Business logo
1password Business
Solid pick$19.95/mo4.6
Keeper logo
Keeper
Solid pickContact sales4.6
CyberArk logo
CyberArk
Solid pickContact sales3.8
Azure AD logo
Azure AD
Solid pick$6/mo4.6

How the Top Identity & Access Tools Compare

The identity & access category is highly competitive in 2026, with 1Password and LastPass both ranking among the top choices on Toolradar's assessment, followed closely by JumpCloud. The tight competition reflects how mature this market has become.

Pricing varies significantly among the top picks: LastPass (freemium (free tier available)), JumpCloud (freemium (free tier available)) offer free access, while 1Password and 1password Business require a paid subscription. Teams on a budget should start with LastPass, which delivers strong value despite its free tier.

Computed from live tool ratings, review counts, and editorial scores.Editorial policy

Top Identity & Access tools

01
1Password logo

Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption

Paid4.7/53,945 ratings · Sep 2026

1Password is a password manager that securely stores passwords, credit cards, and sensitive documents with end-to-end encryption for individuals and teams.

1Password screenshot
+Excellent security
+Easy to use
+Family sharing
No free plan
Subscription required
Good value

1Password is the premium option in password management, no free tier, starting at $2.99/mo (annual).

Watch out

No free tier at all, even personal use starts at $2.99/mo (annual) or $3.99/mo (monthly)

02
LastPass logo

Securely store, autofill, and share passwords across all your devices

Freemium4.6/54,877 ratings · Sep 2026

LastPass is a password manager for individuals, families, and businesses. Store passwords in an encrypted vault. Autofill credentials across devices and browsers. Secure password sharing with trusted contacts. Dark web monitoring alerts on compromised accounts. Password security that millions depend on daily.

+Easy to use
+Good browser extension
+Family sharing
Past security breaches
Limited free tier
Good value

LastPass offers a fair pricing structure, especially with its generous Free tier for basic single-device use.

03
JumpCloud logo

Open directory platform for IT teams

Freemium4.4/54,391 ratings · Sep 2026

JumpCloud is a cloud directory platform that unifies identity, access, and device management. Provides SSO, MFA, device management, and directory services from a single platform.

JumpCloud screenshot
+All-in-one platform
+Free tier available
+Good Mac support
Can be complex
Limited reporting
Good value

JumpCloud's pricing is generally fair, offering a generous Free tier for up to 10 users.

04
1password Business logo

Enterprise password management

Paid4.6/51,813 ratings · Sep 2026

1Password Business brings password management to teams with the security controls enterprises need. Shared vaults let departments access common credentials without passing passwords through Slack or email. Administrators get a dashboard showing who has access to what, with detailed activity logs for compliance. When someone leaves the company, revoking their access takes seconds instead of hunting through every service. Teams move faster when they're not waiting on someone to share a login. IT sleeps better knowing credentials aren't scattered across sticky notes and spreadsheets.

+Best team password manager
+Good security model
+SSO integration
Expensive per user
No free tier for teams
Good value

The pricing for 1Password Business is generally fair, especially the Business tier at $7.99 per user/month, which offers good value for advanced features like SSO.

05
Keeper logo

Password manager with enterprise security

Paid4.6/51,742 ratings · Sep 2026

Keeper secures passwords and sensitive data with zero-knowledge encryption. Password management, secure file storage, and dark web monitoring-security infrastructure for individuals and businesses. The encryption is genuine zero-knowledge. The features are comprehensive. The business features are enterprise-ready. Security-conscious users and organizations choose Keeper for verifiable password security.

+Good password manager
+Business features
+Zero-knowledge
Per-user pricing
Features spread across plans
Fair value

Keeper's pricing structure, being entirely custom for all business tiers, makes it difficult to assess fairness without specific quotes.

Watch out

Likely seat minimums for custom enterprise plans.

06
CyberArk logo

Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.

Paid3.8/5976 ratings · Sep 2026

CyberArk provides a comprehensive Identity Security Platform designed to protect all identities-human, machine, and AI-across hybrid, SaaS, and multi-cloud environments. It acts as the first line of defense against malicious actors and unauthorized access by seamlessly securing identities throughout their access lifecycle. The platform unifies various security components including secure SSO, Adaptive MFA, Lifecycle Management, Directory Services, and User Behavior Analytics to streamline operations and provide secure access to resources from any location and device. At its core, the platform applies world-class intelligent privilege controls across the entire IT estate, securing sensitive data for workforce users, third-party vendors, endpoints, and machine identities. It also features CORA AI, an embedded AI engine that enhances threat detection, automates policy enforcement, and provides intelligent insights into user activities and potential risks, making security operations smarter and more efficient. The platform aims to simplify security management, ensure compliance, and reduce risk by providing continuous discovery, risk-based context, and automated policy enforcement for all identities.

CyberArk screenshot
+Comprehensive security for all identity types (human, machine, AI)
+Unified platform simplifies security stack and management
+Advanced AI capabilities enhance threat detection and automation
No free tier or trial explicitly mentioned
Complexity of implementation and management for large enterprises

Watch out

Potential for high minimum user counts

07
Azure AD logo

Microsoft cloud identity and access management

Freemium4.6/5945 ratings · Sep 2026

Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID) is Microsoft cloud-based identity and access management service. Provides SSO, MFA, conditional access, and identity protection for Microsoft and third-party apps.

+Microsoft integration
+Enterprise-grade
+Comprehensive features
Complex pricing
Microsoft ecosystem bias
Good value

Azure AD's pricing is quite fair and competitive, especially with its robust Free tier offering unlimited SSO and MFA.

08
ManageEngine logo

Monitor, manage, and secure your IT infrastructure with enterprise-grade, AI-powered solutions.

Paid4.4/5320 ratings · Sep 2026

ManageEngine provides a comprehensive suite of over 60 enterprise IT management products and more than 60 free tools designed to help organizations take control of their IT. It offers solutions across critical domains including identity and access management, unified service management, unified endpoint management and security, IT operations management and observability, security information and event management, advanced IT analytics, and low-code app development. The platform is built for sysadmins, IT managers, and senior-level IT executives, aiming to simplify IT management, accelerate digital transformation, enable remote work, and secure digital enterprises. ManageEngine's approach emphasizes homegrown, integrated, and simplified solutions with deployment options including on-premises, cloud-native, cloud-ready, and MSP models, ensuring a holistic and scalable IT environment.

+Comprehensive suite of over 60 integrated products covering diverse IT needs.
+Offers flexible deployment options including on-premises, cloud-native, and cloud-ready.
+Emphasizes a privacy-first approach with no ads, no tracking, and no third-party data centers for cloud applications.
The extensive number of products might require a learning curve to understand the full ecosystem.
Specific pricing details are not immediately available without direct inquiry or navigating to individual product pages.
09
Duo Security logo

Multi-factor authentication for enterprises

Freemium4.6/51,051 ratings · Sep 2026

Duo Security protects access with multi-factor authentication that's actually usable. Push notifications to phones, hardware keys, biometrics-2FA that doesn't frustrate users. The user experience is thoughtful. Device trust policies add security. Cisco backing provides enterprise credibility. Organizations implementing MFA choose Duo because it balances security with user experience.

+Enterprise MFA leader
+Good security
+Easy setup
Expensive
Cisco pricing complexity
Good value

Duo Security's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for up to 10 users.

10
OneSpan Sign logo

Secure digital agreements and protect mobile apps with advanced authentication and fraud prevention.

Paid4.7/5856 ratings · Sep 2026

OneSpan provides a comprehensive platform for securing digital agreements and protecting mobile applications. It streamlines the entire agreement workflow, from preparation to signing and management, through secure eSignatures, identity verification, and smart digital forms, all while ensuring compliance and speed. Beyond agreements, OneSpan offers robust cybersecurity solutions to protect identities, secure mobile apps, and safeguard access using advanced authentication, threat intelligence, and fraud prevention. This platform is ideal for organizations, particularly financial institutions, that require high-assurance authentication and secure digital processes at scale. It helps mitigate fraud, ensures regulatory compliance (like PSD2 and GDPR), and enhances customer experience by allowing secure operations even on potentially compromised mobile devices. OneSpan's solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing DevSecOps pipelines, accelerating secure app delivery.

+Strengthens app resistance to intrusion, tampering, and malware.
+Enables secure operation of mobile apps on jailbroken or rooted devices.
+Automates app shielding through CI/CD tool integrations.
No explicit free tier or trial mentioned.
Focuses heavily on enterprise and financial institutions, potentially less accessible for smaller businesses.

Watch out

Potential minimum volume commitments

Why these identity & access tools didn't make our top 10.

We evaluated 90 identity & access tools and these 20 ranked 11 through 30. They're solid options that fell short on one or two axes (review depth, pricing transparency, feature parity), but worth a look if the leaders don't fit your stack or budget.

Linx Security logo
Linx Security
AI-native identity security and governance for unified visibility and automated management
Bitwarden Teams logo
Bitwarden Teams
Securely manage and share credentials for your team and enterprise.
Auth0 logo
Auth0
Identity platform for developers
SailPoint logo
SailPoint
Unified, AI-driven identity security for the modern enterprise, securing every identity and access.
NordPass logo
NordPass
Securely store, manage, and autofill passwords and sensitive data for personal and business use.
Frontegg logo
Frontegg
The identity layer for every SaaS entry point, securing access and enabling AI integration.
Netwrix logo
Netwrix
Unified data security that starts with identity, protecting your organization from evolving threats.
OneLogin logo
OneLogin
Identity and access management platform
Swiftlane logo
Swiftlane
Cloud-based touchless access control and video intercom system for secure, convenient building access.
Okta logo
Okta
Enterprise identity management
Torii SaaS logo
Torii SaaS
The governance platform for comprehensive SaaS and identity management.
Proton Pass logo
Proton Pass
Encrypted password manager from Proton
Zluri logo
Zluri
Next-gen identity governance and administration for modern enterprises.
Ping Identity logo
Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security solutions
FusionAuth logo
FusionAuth
Customer identity and access management
Clerk logo
Clerk
Authentication for modern apps
Perimeter 81 logo
Perimeter 81
Zero Trust Network Access platform for secure remote access to cloud and on-premises resources.
Teleport logo
Teleport
Unified identity for securing classic and AI infrastructure with zero trust access.
NordLayer logo
NordLayer
Enterprise-grade network security deployed in minutes.
StrongDM logo
StrongDM
Your partner in Zero Trust Privileged Access, controlling what happens after login.

Popular identity & access comparisons

See how the leading identity & access tools stack up head-to-head.

Identity & Access pricing, compared

Real plans and the hidden costs for each tool.

Browse all identity & access tools

90 tools
ClassLink logo
ClassLink
Identity and access management, analytics, and cybersecurity solutions for education.
paid· Web
Akeyless logo
Akeyless
Unified identity security for machines, AI agents, and humans in the AI era.
freemium· Web
Kisi logo
Kisi
Cloud-based access control and security platform for modern spaces.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Segura logo
Segura
The complete identity security platform for privileged access management.
paid· Web
Twingate logo
Twingate
Zero-trust network access, better than VPN
freemium· Web
Brivo logo
Brivo
Unify access control, video intelligence, visitor management, and intrusion into one complete cloud-based security view.
paid· Web
Mosyle logo
Mosyle
The only Apple Unified Platform for comprehensive device management and security.
freemium· Web
Ory logo
Ory
Open-source identity infrastructure
freemium· Web
Tailscale logo
Tailscale
Securely connect your devices like they're on the same network, anywhere
freemium· Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Stytch logo
Stytch
Authentication infrastructure for developers
freemium· Web
Pangolin logo
Pangolin
Secure, identity-based remote access to private and public resources built on WireGuard.
freemium· macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, Android
Opal Security logo
Opal Security
The identity governance control plane for AI agents, humans, and service accounts at hypergrowth enterprises.
paid· Web
Pritunl logo
Pritunl
Open-source VPN server management for secure network access
freemium· macOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome
AWS Secrets Manager logo
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
paid· Web
WorkOS logo
WorkOS
Enterprise-ready authentication and directory sync
freemium· Web
LoginRadius logo
LoginRadius
Secure identity and access management platform for all your applications and AI agents.
freemium· Web
CyberArk Conjur logo
CyberArk Conjur
Securely authenticate, control, and audit non-human access across your entire tech stack.
free
ConductorOne logo
ConductorOne
Automate security for all human, non-human, and AI identities with one intelligent platform.
paid· Web
Resmo logo
Resmo
Unified platform for identity, access, and device management across human, machine, and AI identities.
paid· Web
Immuta logo
Immuta
Instantly provision data with automated governance for the AI era.
paid· Web
Electric AI logo
Electric AI
One platform to solve all your IT and security needs for SMBs.
freemium· Web
Cerbos logo
Cerbos
Fine-grained, contextual, and continuous authorization for enterprise software and AI systems.
freemium· Web
Cognito logo
Cognito
Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance
paid
SuperTokens logo
SuperTokens
Open-source user authentication
freemium· Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux

Showing the top 24 of 90. Filter to narrow down.

In-depth: why these tools made the cut

Azure AD logo

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is bundled with Microsoft 365 and integrates deeply with Windows, Office, Teams, and the broader Microsoft ecosystem. For Microsoft-shop enterprises, switching to Okta adds cost for no clear benefit.

Entra ID's app catalog and admin UX still trail Okta for non-Microsoft apps. Microsoft has been investing heavily; the gap is narrowing.

How to choose identity & access software

  1. Workforce vs customer identity

    Workforce SSO (employees accessing SaaS apps): Okta, Entra ID, JumpCloud. Customer identity (users logging into your product): Auth0, Clerk, Stytch, Cognito. Different problems with different products.

  2. Audit identity sources

    Workforce IAM needs to integrate with HRIS (Okta + Rippling, Entra + Workday) for automated provisioning/deprovisioning. Customer IAM needs to integrate with your product database. Verify the source-of-truth pattern matches your architecture.

  3. Plan for compliance

    SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP, FAPI — compliance requirements vary by industry. Verify the vendor has the certifications your customers or auditors demand. Some workforce IAM tools also have stronger compliance posture than developer-first alternatives.

Honorable mentions

Tools that didn't crack the headline list but deserve a look depending on what you optimize for.

  • Duo Security logo
    Duo SecurityBest MFA layer for existing IAM

    Duo (Cisco) sits on top of existing IAM as the MFA layer. Strong choice for organizations that need MFA without replacing their primary IAM.

Best Identity & Access for

How we ranked these identity & access tools

We rank by real-world signal: verified user ratings aggregated from G2, Capterra, and our own community, the volume and recency of media coverage, and hands-on editorial review for the tools we cover in depth. Pricing is re-checked and the ranking refreshed monthly. We do not sell placement in this list.

Tools reviewed
90
With free tier
57%
Last updated
September 2026

Toolradar Research

The data behind identity & access

First-party analyses built from our full catalog, methodology published.

All Toolradar research

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best identity & access tool in 2026?

Based on our analysis of 90 identity & access tools, 1Password is our overall pick. The next tools on the list are LastPass, JumpCloud, 1password Business. Rankings use G2/Capterra review strength, media mentions, and editor-featured picks — the same verdict as /best/free/identity-access and our comparison pages.

What are the top 3 identity & access tools?

The top 3 identity & access tools in 2026, ranked by Toolradar, are: 1) 1Password, Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption. 2) LastPass, Securely store, autofill, and share passwords across all your devices. 3) JumpCloud, Open directory platform for IT teams. Our named overall pick is 1Password.

Are there free identity & access tools?

Yes. Swiftlane is our free pick (100% free, no paid upgrade path). 4 of the tools on this page offer a free or freemium plan.

How do I choose the right identity & access tool?

Start by defining your team size, budget, and must-have features. 1Password is our overall pick. Swiftlane is our free pick. Compare all 90 options side-by-side on Toolradar.
Identity & Access statisticscatalog size, ratings and pricing data, updated monthly

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