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Top 5 privileged access management tools in 2025

In this review article, we will present the top 5 PAM (privileged access management) tools available in the market with the goal of helping you choose the right one for your security needs.

How we evaluated these solutions

We tried out dozens of products to identify the top 5 with the best overall value for security teams:

  • One Identity Safeguard
  • CyberArk PAM
  • BeyondTrust Modern PAM
  • Delinea PAM
  • Microsoft Identity Manager PAM

These platforms stand out in all the areas that matter most for managing privileged access:

  • Security features
  • Ease of use
  • Scalability
  • Support and documentation
  • Ease of integration

1. One Identity Safeguard

One Identity Safeguard is a comprehensive PAM solution that combines password management, session monitoring, analytics and secure access controls in one platform. With years of proven performance, it provides flexibility through on-premises, hybrid and cloud-based options while keeping security at the forefront.

One Identity Safeguard PAM features

Here are some of the key features of Safeguard:

Session Recording and Playback

Safeguard for Privileged Sessions allows administrators to record, monitor and replay privileged sessions. Indexed session content makes it easy to search for key events and generate detailed audit reports. Real-time blocking and alerting help stop suspicious actions before they cause harm.

Password Vaulting and Rotation

Safeguard for Privileged Passwords automates the process of rotating and managing privileged credentials. Role-based access controls, an automated workflow engine and a REST API provide secure and efficient password handling. Users can also access a free personal password vault for business use.

Secure Remote Access and Command Control

The Safeguard Remote Access platform provides secure remote access for administrators and remote vendors without exposing sensitive credentials. It includes granular command-level control and protocol inspection to block unauthorized or risky actions in real time.

Reporting and compliance capabilities

Safeguard offers detailed reporting tools to meet audit and compliance needs. Session content indexing, full-text search (including OCR) and user behavior analytics make it easier to track activities and demonstrate compliance with regulations like PCI DSS and SOX.

User-friendly interface

The solution is designed with a user-centric interface that reduces the learning curve. Password approvals can be done from anywhere, and session monitoring tools are intuitive enough for both IT teams and auditors.

Awards and recognition

Reviews and testimonials in 2025

One Identity Safeguard continues to receive positive reviews on platforms such as Gartner Peer Insights, G2 and PeerSpot.

Here’s what their customers have to say:

Cloud service provider tightens control of privileged access without additional overhead

The way we monitor privileged sessions is far more efficient with Safeguard. Session data is at our fingertips, so we can trace anything that raises an alarm.

Edouard Camoin Chief Information Security Officer, 3DS OUTSCALE Read Case Study

Cavium enables secure access to privileged credentials with One Identity Safeguard

Safeguard allows us to grant granular access to servers. It’s essentially giving the right access to the right people for the right amount of time.

Abe Smith Cavium Read Case Study

2. CyberArk

CyberArk is a comprehensive PAM platform designed to protect privileged accounts and credentials across on-premises, multi-cloud and OT/ICS environments. Organizations can deploy CyberArk as a SaaS solution or self-hosted platform, depending on their infrastructure and compliance requirements.

Key features and strengths of CyberArk

Here are some worth-mentioning features of CyberArk:

  • Privileged Access and Credential Management: Automatically discovers accounts, credentials, IAM roles and secrets across hybrid environments and stores them in a tamper-proof Digital Vault with policy-based rotation.
  • Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP): Grants temporary permissions when needed and removes them immediately after use. Offers granular control over time, entitlements, and approval (TEA) settings.
  • Session Isolation and Monitoring: Provides isolated and monitored sessions without impacting user experience. Supports consistent policies across both vaulted and ZSP sessions, while recording activities for audits and compliance.
  • Endpoint Privilege Management: Removes local admin rights and enforces least privilege policies on endpoints based on roles.
  • Remote and Third-Party Access: Enables passwordless, VPN-less and agentless access for employees and third parties.

Limitations and considerations

  • CyberArk can be resource-intensive to deploy and maintain, particularly in large or highly segmented environments.
  • The initial setup may require dedicated expertise, and licensing costs can be higher compared to some other PAM tools, especially for smaller organizations.

3. BeyondTrust

BeyondTrust offers a modern PAM platform designed to handle identity-based risks across hybrid and cloud environments. It supports Kubernetes, hybrid deployments and API-based access models to match modern infrastructure needs.

  • Cross-Domain Identity Visibility: Gain a clear view of identity-based risks, visualize Paths to Privilege™, and prioritize security actions to minimize potential attack routes.
  • Just-in-Time (JIT) Access at Cloud Scale: Replace static privileges with temporary access granted only when needed. Features include self-service privilege requests, automated provisioning and notifications through MS Teams and Slack.
  • Secure, Anywhere Access: Provides seamless remote access for employees and vendors without requiring VPNs or shared credentials.
  • Identity Security Risk Assessment: Offers a free assessment service that highlights identity risks, maps out privilege paths and provides expert recommendations for improving security posture.

Ease of integration

BeyondTrust is built for hybrid and cloud-first organizations. It offers much quicker rollout times (often within a month) compared to legacy PAM solutions. API-based deployment allows easy integration with existing IT ecosystems, including collaboration tools like Slack and Teams for access approvals.

Limitations and considerations

  • BeyondTrust delivers advanced capabilities but can feel complex for teams used to simpler, vault-only PAM tools. Organizations may require additional training to fully leverage features like identity analytics and JIT access workflows.
  • Licensing can vary significantly based on deployment model and feature set.

4. Delinea

Delinea was formed when Thycotic and Centrify merged to combine their strengths in privileged access management. The merged company was first called ThycoticCentrify and later rebranded as Delinea. Today, it offers a modern PAM platform designed for cloud, on-premises and hybrid environments with a focus on security and simplicity.

Core Offerings and Advantages

  • Comprehensive PAM Suite: Includes password vaulting, session monitoring, least privilege enforcement and just-in-time access.
  • Privilege Manager Capabilities: Deploy a single lightweight agent to discover applications with admin rights, even on non-domain machines, and apply flexible policies for elevation or restriction.
  • Cloud-Ready Architecture: Supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments with flexible deployment options (SaaS, on-prem or hybrid).
  • Granular Policy Controls: Allows administrators to define role-based access and automate credential rotation.

Simplified administration and user experience

Delinea is designed to be easy to use for both IT teams and end users. Its clean interface reduces the complexity often associated with PAM solutions, while automated workflows minimize manual approvals and credential handling.

Limitations and considerations

  • While Delinea offers a strong balance of features and usability, advanced analytics and threat detection capabilities are less extensive compared to vendors like OneIdentity and CyberArk.

5. Microsoft Identity Management (MIM) PAM

Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) Privileged Access Management (PAM) helps organizations secure and control privileged access within an isolated Active Directory environment. It creates a separate bastion environment to keep administrative access safe from compromise and provides more oversight of privileged activity.

Strengths for Microsoft Ecosystem users

  • Tight integration with Active Directory and other Microsoft services.
  • Isolated bastion environment for high-security operations.
  • Strong monitoring and reporting for privileged account usage.
  • Designed for compliance-heavy or air-gapped environments.

Limitations and considerations

  • Best suited for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Requires complex setup and maintenance compared to SaaS-based PAM tools.
  • Limited features for non-Microsoft platforms and hybrid cloud environments.

How to choose the best PAM solution for your organization

Now that you know how the top five PAM solutions compare, here’s a simple checklist to help you make the final call:

  • Identify the number of privileged accounts and users in your organization
  • Assess compliance requirements that apply to your business/industry
  • Evaluate integration needs with Active Directory, cloud services, legacy systems and APIs
  • Check for scalability to support future growth
  • Review session recording, audit trails, reporting and other must-have features
  • Compare ease of deployment and ongoing management
  • Consider vendor support and documentation quality
  • Look at pricing models and long-term costs
  • Review customer reviews, case studies and industry reputation

Conclusion

Privileged access management is a key part of a strong cybersecurity policy. The right solution will not only protect critical systems but also reduce risk from insider threats and external attacks. We hope this guide helps you pick the one that fits your organization's needs best.

Secure your privileged accounts with One Identity PAM solutions

One Identity Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions offer seamless security for privileged access that scales and evolves with your business.
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