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Identity Manager vs IGA Solutions

Identity governance and administration (IGA) is a core part of modern security programs. It helps organizations control who has access to what and reduces risk that comes from unmanaged or outdated access.

This guide explains why One Identity Manager is the most preferred option for enterprise IGA. It outlines how the platform handles access governance and lifecycle management, and how it differs from alternative platforms that offer similar capabilities.

Identity Access Governance: The what and the why

Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) is a policy-driven framework that unifies Identity Lifecycle Management (ILM) with automated security oversight. It synchronizes identity data across the enterprise to ensure that access is strictly aligned with business roles, security policies and regulatory requirements.

It matters because it:

  • Reduces the risk of excessive access as users join, shift roles or leave
  • Gives security and compliance teams clear visibility into who has access to which systems and why
  • Supports approval workflows and policy-based access to keep permissions aligned with business rules
  • Helps enforce the principle of least privilege
  • Makes it easier to comply with regulatory requirements and frameworks like PCI DSS and SOX

Why One Identity Manager is the best for IGA

One Identity Manager brings identity governance, behavior-driven governance, access control and lifecycle management into a single platform. It works seamlessly across on-premises systems, hybrid setups and cloud applications. Check out the full feature set which has made Identity Manager the top IGA solution on the market:

Key features

  • Centralized identity lifecycle management with automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  • A single governance platform for user access and privileged access
  • Built-in access reviews and attestation handled by business owners
  • Self-service access requests through an approval workflow
  • Strong governance support for SaaS apps and hybrid environments
  • SAP-certified integration to bring SAP accounts under governance
  • Compliance and audit reporting for both user access and privileged access
  • Application access governance without constant IT involvement
  • Behavior-driven governance using access insights to guide policy decisions

Pricing model

One Identity Manager is available through subscription licensing. Pricing depends on the number of identities, modules in use, deployment scope and certain other factors. Quotes are provided directly by One Identity.

Customer stories

Efficient access management in a global bank

The benefit of having features like recertification in Identity Manager is that we don’t have to create them. It’s just a matter of configuration instead of programming.

Gert Heidema Solution Architect, Identity & Access Management Read Case Study

Healthcare Organizations #GetIAMRight with One Identity

We saw a dramatic increase in the productivity of IT staff when they started using the One Identity solution.

Nathan Wiehe Vice President of Identity and Security Services, EST Group Read Case Study

Reviews and awards

One Identity Manager vs. IGA alternatives comparison

The following table compares, head to head, all the popular IGA solutions to Identity Manager by One Identity:

Factor

One Identity Manager

SailPoint

Saviynt

Okta

Microsoft Entra ID Governance

Core focus

Full IGA with user and privileged access governance

Identity visibility and governance

Cloud-first identity governance

Workforce identity with add-on governance

Governance inside Microsoft ecosystem

Deployment support

On-prem, hybrid and cloud

On-prem and cloud

Mostly cloud

Cloud-focused

Cloud-first with AD support

Identity lifecycle

Strong lifecycle automation tied to business roles

Strong but often IT-driven

Automated with AI guidance

Basic lifecycle flows

Strong for employees and guests

Privileged access governance

Built in as part of governance

Usually separate tooling

Relies on integrations

Limited

Available but often combined with other tools

Compliance and audits

Centralized reporting for users and privileged access

Strong reporting but complex setups

Strong audit focus

Limited governance reporting

Strong for Microsoft workloads

Integrations

Broad connectors across enterprise systems

Broad but can need customization

Pre-built cloud integrations

Strong SaaS integrations

Best with Microsoft services

Typical complexity

Enterprise-grade with structured rollout

High, often needs heavy services

Medium to high

Lower for cloud-only use

Medium, depends on scope

One Identity Manager vs. Microsoft Entra ID Governance

Microsoft Entra ID Governance is built into the broader Microsoft identity ecosystem. It focuses on governing access for employees and external parties across Microsoft services.

Benefits of One Identity Manager over Microsoft Entra ID Governance

  • Identity Manager provides a single governance platform across Microsoft and non-Microsoft systems, while Entra ID Governance works best inside Microsoft-centric environments
  • Identity Manager offers deeper identity lifecycle control across on-prem and multi-cloud systems, not just Entra-connected apps
  • Identity Manager gives business owners more direct control over approvals and access reviews without heavy dependence on IT or Microsoft workflows

One Identity Manager vs. SailPoint

SailPoint is well known for identity governance, with a strong focus on visibility into identities (both machine and human) and data access across large environments.

Benefits of One Identity Manager over SailPoint

  • Identity Manager places more control in the hands of business users for approvals and reviews, while SailPoint setups often stay IT-heavy
  • Many SailPoint customers also report weak professional services support, whereas Identity Manager is generally seen as easier to configure and better supported during implementation

One Identity Manager vs. Saviynt

Saviynt positions itself as a cloud-first identity governance platform with strong automation and AI-based access recommendations.

Benefits of One Identity Manager over Saviynt

  • Identity Manager supports both cloud and on-prem environments equally, while Saviynt is mainly cloud-native
  • Identity Manager offers mature identity lifecycle management that fits complex enterprise structures, not just cloud workloads
  • Identity Manager provides built-in privileged access governance instead of relying on integrations for deeper coverage

One Identity Manager vs. Okta

Okta approaches identity governance as an extension of its identity and access platform, with a strong focus on cloud apps and workforce identity.

Benefits of One Identity Manager over Okta

  • Identity Manager delivers full IGA capabilities, while Okta’s governance features are more limited and SaaS-focused
  • Identity Manager handles complex identity lifecycles across legacy and cloud systems, while Okta is strongest in modern cloud apps
  • Identity Manager gives deeper compliance reporting and audit support across non-Okta systems

Recommendations

Identity access governance is a key part of a modern security program. If you want one platform to manage identities, control access and meet compliance needs across on-prem and cloud systems, One Identity Manager is the most viable option.

Complete, business-driven governance for identity, data and privileged permissions

Implement IGA to centralize user management across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments, streamline compliance with attestation and recertification, and provide clear visibility into all internal, external, and privileged accounts.