Top 15 Best PAM Tools

Privileged Access Management (PAM) software is critical to the protection of sensitive accounts, credentials, and systems from cyber-attacks. With cyber-attacks focused on privileged accounts to achieve unauthorized access, companies have to put in place robust access controls to safeguard their core assets. The best PAM tools enable organizations to control and monitor privileged access, apply least privilege controls, and maintain regulatory compliance.

The intended audience for PAM tools are IT security teams, system administrators, compliance officers, and enterprise architects. They are especially useful for organizations operating in finance, healthcare, government, and cloud-based enterprises, where data protection and security compliance are of utmost importance.

The choice of these 15 best PAM tools is determined by several important factors, including security capabilities (password vaulting and monitoring of sessions), integration potential (support for cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments), ease of use, scalability, support for compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, NIST), and general reputation in the cyberspace. These solutions assist organizations in minimizing the threat of credential theft, eliminating insider threats, and providing secure access to privileged accounts. Also, check out our guide on best application monitoring tools.

Criteria for Selecting the Best PAM Tools

Selecting the best PAM tools is required to maintain secure and effective privileged account management. The below-mentioned key parameters were evaluated while shortlisting leading PAM solutions:

• Security Features: Robust password vaulting, multi-factor authentication (MFA), session monitoring, Just-in-Time (JIT) access, and risk-based authentication to ensure that only legitimate users have access to confidential data.

• Integration Capability: Easy integration with identity and access management (IAM) solutions, SIEM solutions, cloud deployments, DevOps tools, and current IT infrastructure.

• Compliance and Governance: Compliance with regulatory compliance policies like GDPR, HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27001, and audit reports and logs on an automatic level.

• Scalability and Flexibility: Enterprise provisioning for small groups and large enterprises in on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.

• Ease of Use: Easy-to-use dashboards, easy setup, and automation features that minimize administrator tasks and enhance employee productivity.

• Threat Detection: Machine learning-driven analytics for identifying unusual behavior, identifying behavioral anomalies, and real-time notifications for responding to security threats and insider threats.

• Cost and Licensing: Clear cost structures, flexible licensing structures, and a balance of affordability and high-end features based on business needs.

Through this analysis, firms can select a suitable PAM solution that most effectively meets their security needs, compliance requirements, and IT infrastructure.

Comparison Between Best PAM Tools 

Here’s a detailed comparison table of the best PAM tools, covering their features, pricing, use cases, and official websites.

List of 15 Best PAM Tools

1. CyberArk

CyberArk is the leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM), delivering highly secure solutions against insider threats and external breaches. It gives credentials vaulting, session auditing, and threat discovery to cover the privileged account space. CyberArk automation improves the security workflows that help implement regulations of industry and business norms. It aligns with cloud services, DevOps, and applications. Companies deploy CyberArk to reduce risks and govern access at the IT infrastructure level. It is suited for business entities and government organizations that need enterprise-level security for privileged accounts.

Key Features:

• Privileged account and session management
• Password vaulting and rotation
• Threat analytics and risk-based alerting
• Secure remote access without VPN

Pros:

• Highly scalable for large enterprises
• Advanced threat intelligence and AI-driven security

Cons:

• Expensive for small businesses
• Complex setup and configuration

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Ideal for large enterprises and financial institutions requiring advanced security for privileged accounts.

2. BeyondTrust 

BeyondTrust provides an end-to-end PAM solution with password management, session monitoring, and endpoint privilege management. It strengthens security by enforcing least privilege access and avoiding unauthorized activity. The solution provides cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environment support with visibility into privileged activity. BeyondTrust’s sophisticated analytics assist in detecting threats in real time, which ensures security compliance with standards such as GDPR and NIST. It is ideal for businesses looking for a scalable PAM solution with robust endpoint security integration.

Key Features:

• Secure password management
• Just-in-time privileged access
• Endpoint privilege control
• Session recording and auditing

Pros:

• Strong integration with ITSM tools
• Granular access control for users and applications

Cons:

• Pricing may be high for smaller teams
• Can require significant customization

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for enterprises and IT teams looking for a comprehensive privilege management solution.

3. Delinea 

The cloud-native Delinea solution provides a zero-trust PAM service that specializes in safeguarding privileged credentials for customers. Users have access to Password vaulting as well as Just-in-Time access and risk-based authentication functionalities. The intuitive Delinea interface makes privileged account management easier for IT teams which reduces both security threats and enhances overall team performance. The product comes with features for identity provider and DevOps pipeline integration which enables efficient privileged access management. The solution is optimized for organizations needing PAM capabilities linked to automation and cloud support.

Key Features:

• Role-based access control (RBAC)
• Secret server for password management
• Secure remote access without VPN
• Just-in-time privilege elevation

Pros:

• Cloud-first approach with strong automation
• Easy to deploy and manage

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced analytics features
• Limited support for legacy systems

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Ideal for mid-sized businesses and cloud-first organizations looking for modern PAM solutions.

4. ManageEngine PAM360

ManageEngine PAM360 is one of the best PAM tools of enterprise-class and is aimed at safe access management. It features password vaulting, session recording, automated reporting for compliance, and real-time threat intelligence. The product has the capability to integrate with Active Directory, SIEM solutions, and cloud services with centralized privileged access control. Its user interface makes it easier for IT admins to operate privileged accounts without compromising security. It is ideal for SMBs and enterprises seeking a cost-effective yet robust PAM solution.

Key Features:

• Centralized password vaulting
• Privileged session recording and monitoring
• Just-in-time access control
• Automated compliance reporting

Pros:

• Cost-effective compared to competitors
• Seamless integration with IT management tools

Cons:

• Limited AI-based threat detection
• UI could be more intuitive

Pricing: Starts at $595 for the standard edition

Who Should Use It?
Best for SMBs and IT teams needing an affordable, feature-rich PAM solution.

5. One Identity Safeguard

One Identity Safeguard has a single solution for privileged access management, together with password security, session monitoring, and threat detection. It provides AI-driven risk analysis, allowing organizations to pre-emptively control privileged access. The solution can be easily integrated with IAM and SIEM platforms for better security visibility. Easy deployment makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking an easy-to-deploy PAM solution. It is ideal for businesses that need AI-powered PAM with enhanced risk analytics.

Key Features:

• Real-time privilege risk assessment
• Password vault and rotation
• Secure remote access with session control
• AI-driven behavior analysis

Pros:

• Strong analytics for risk-based decision-making
• Simple UI for easy adoption

Cons:

• Expensive for small businesses
• Requires customization for large environments

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for enterprises needing AI-driven privilege security.

6. IBM Security Verify Privilege Vault

IBM Security Verify Privilege Vault is a robust PAM solution designed to protect privileged accounts from being accessed by unauthorized people. It offers secure storage of credentials, password rotation, and session monitoring. IBM AI-driven threat intelligence provides real-time alerts of suspicious activity. The software is easily integrated with IBM security infrastructure, hence ideal for organizations that already have IBM security tools. It is ideal for large organizations that utilize IBM’s security infrastructure to operate PAM.

Key Features:

• AI-driven identity threat detection
• Secure credential storage and management
• Automated compliance enforcement
• Granular access controls

Pros:

• Strong integration with IBM security products
• AI-powered risk analysis

Cons:

• Requires expertise to deploy effectively
• Higher cost compared to open-source solutions

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for large enterprises leveraging IBM’s security ecosystem.

7. ARCON Privileged Access Management

ARCON PAM solution delivers strong security controls like privileged session management, Just-in-Time access, and real-time threat protection. It possesses a simple yet intuitive dashboard to monitor privileged activity efficiently. ARCON’s risk-based authentication and access control system blocks unauthorized access and insider attacks. The solution is heavily employed in banking, healthcare, and government sectors. It is ideally suited for organizations that require high compliance with data protection regulations.

Key Features:

• Multi-factor authentication for privileged access
• Secure session recording and logging
• Role-based access and least privilege enforcement
• Threat intelligence and anomaly detection

Pros:

• Strong compliance features
• Scalable for large organizations

Cons:

• Limited third-party integrations
• Complex initial setup

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Ideal for enterprises with strict compliance and security requirements.

8. Bravura Security

Bravura Security Privileged Access Manager secures all privileged credentials that exist across IT environments. This platform implements automatic password updates while implementing minimum security protocols as well as monitoring user interactions. The tool utilizes MFA technology for better security features. Self-service functions within this system allow IT departments to decrease administrative costs without compromising industry standard compliance. Enterprises should choose Bravura Security Privileged Access Manager when they seek automatic PAM with robust MFA capabilities.

Key Features:

• Automated password management
• Secure privileged session monitoring
• AI-powered threat analysis
• Role-based access control

Pros:

• Strong automation capabilities
• Supports hybrid cloud environments

Cons:

• Higher learning curve
• UI could be more user-friendly

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for enterprises managing hybrid cloud infrastructure.

9. Netwrix Privilege Secure

The privilege account protection solution Netwrix Privilege Secure grants secured credential storage in addition to Just-in-Time access control and records user sessions. The security features improve because this solution integrates with SIEM tools to generate detailed audit logs. Organizations use the platform to implement least privilege policies which minimizes both insider threat vulnerabilities and unauthorized system entry. User-friendly together with its cost-effectiveness makes Netwrix Privilege Secure an ideal choice for businesses with medium sizes.

Key Features:

• Credential vaulting and password rotation
• Least privilege access enforcement
• Compliance and audit reporting
• User behavior analytics

Pros:

• Affordable for SMBs
• Strong compliance tracking

Cons:

• Limited advanced AI features
• Basic UI compared to competitors

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for SMBs needing a cost-effective PAM solution.

10. Saviynt

Saviynt provides a cloud-native PAM platform that includes identity governance, privileged session monitoring, and risk-based authentication. The product is designed to work in hybrid and multi-cloud environments to provide secure privileged access to cloud and on-premises assets. Saviynt’s AI-powered analytics identify anomalies, enforce policy-based access controls, and enhance compliance with regulatory obligations. The product simplifies access provisioning and governance operations, decreasing administrative overhead. With security intelligence integrated, it enables organizations to anticipate threats and enforce least privilege access for sensitive accounts.

Key Features:

• Risk-based access policies
• AI-driven access recommendations
• Automated compliance enforcement
• Identity governance integration

Pros:

• Cloud-native with strong AI insights
• Easy to scale for large enterprises

Cons:

• Higher cost for small teams
• Requires deep IAM knowledge

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for enterprises with cloud-first security strategies.

11. Keeper Security PAM

Keeper Security PAM offers enterprise-level password management and privileged access security, including encrypted vaults, role-based access controls, and dark web monitoring to avoid credential leaks. The solution includes secure password sharing, automated compliance reporting, and integration with leading identity and access management (IAM) solutions. Keeper’s intuitive design makes it easy to use for IT teams, while its robust security features guard against phishing attacks, credential stuffing, and unauthorized access. It also provides biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security levels.

Key Features:

• Encrypted vault for credential storage
• Role-based access control and policy enforcement
• Dark web monitoring for credential leaks
• Zero-trust remote access

Pros:

• Easy to use with a simple interface
• Strong encryption for password security

Cons:

• Limited session management features
• Best suited for smaller teams rather than large enterprises

Pricing: custom pricing 

Who Should Use It?
Best for SMBs and teams needing a simple yet secure PAM solution.

12. Senhasegura

Senhasegura offers an enterprise-level PAM solution with the capabilities of credential vaulting, session monitoring, automated compliance reporting, and Just-in-Time access to minimize security threats. Its AI-driven anomaly detection offers insights into prospective threats before they become threats, improving the security posture. Senhasegura’s password rotation and access control policies are automated to meet industry standards such as GDPR and ISO 27001. Senhasegura is widely utilized in banking, healthcare, and critical infrastructure industries, where stringent access controls and audit trails are required for regulatory compliance.

Key Features:

• Automatic password rotation
• Just-in-time privilege escalation
• Real-time session monitoring
• AI-driven anomaly detection

Pros:

• Strong compliance and governance features
• Highly scalable for large enterprises

Cons:

• Complex to configure initially
• Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Ideal for enterprises with strict regulatory and compliance requirements.

13. WALLIX Bastion

One of the best PAM tools, WALLIX Bastion is a PAM solution that is developed in Europe and offers password management, session monitoring, and Just-in-Time privileged access control to protect privileged accounts. WALLIX allows organizations to monitor and manage privileged access without interfering with IT operations. WALLIX offers an easy-to-use interface for easy deployment and management. It has a low-impact architecture suited for organizations in search of a GDPR-compliant solution that supports high European security standards while offering visibility and control over privileged accounts.

Key Features:

• Centralized credential storage and management
• Session monitoring and recording
• Least privilege enforcement
• Secure remote access

Pros:

• Strong compliance features for GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
• User-friendly interface and easy deployment

Cons:

• Lacks advanced AI-driven analytics
• Limited cloud integrations

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for organizations in Europe requiring strong compliance adherence.

14. Remediant SecureONE

Remediant SecureONE delivers a Just-in-Time PAM solution that removes standing privileges, dramatically shrinking an organization’s attack surface. Unlike other PAM solutions, it dynamically provides privileged access only when necessary, minimizing credential exposure. The lightweight agentless architecture enables instant deployment with zero impact on underlying IT infrastructure. SecureONE enforces Zero Trust policies to enable organizations to contain the threat of credential misuse and privilege escalation attacks. It also meets the requirements of existing security solutions for stronger monitoring and control over access.

Key Features:

• Just-in-time (JIT) privileged access
• Continuous monitoring and audit trails
• Zero-standing privilege enforcement
• Quick deployment without agents

Pros:

• Lightweight and easy to deploy
• Enhances security by eliminating persistent privileges

Cons:

• Lacks traditional password vaulting
• May require additional integrations for full functionality

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for security-conscious organizations looking for zero-trust privileged access control.

15. Fudo PAM

Fudo PAM is very effective in securing remote access and monitoring of privileged sessions, providing advanced threat protection and AI-powered behavior analytics. The solution has keystroke capture, biometric authentication, and live session recording to provide end-to-end visibility of privileged activity. Its Just-in-Time access and secure access control policies prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Fudo PAM is very useful for companies with a remote workforce, providing secure access to sensitive systems without putting credentials at undue risk.

Key Features:

• AI-powered session monitoring and analysis
• Real-time anomaly detection
• Secure password vaulting
• User behavior analytics

Pros:

• Advanced AI-driven security insights
• Strong session management and recording

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to basic PAM tools
• UI could be more intuitive

Pricing: Custom pricing

Who Should Use It?
Best for enterprises needing AI-driven PAM solutions for session security.

Conclusion 

Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions must secure sensitive accounts, be invulnerable to cyber-space, and manage compliance. A suitable PAM solution depends on the size of the organization, security needs, and IT infrastructure. For business organizations that require a high-security industrial-grade solution for commercial business, BeyondTrust and CyberArk are good options since both solutions offer excellent risk management and compliance capabilities. Delinea (formerly Thycotic & Centrify) offers an appropriate cloud-enabled PAM solution for organizations that use a zero-trust security solution.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Keeper Security PAM and ManageEngine PAM360 provide affordably priced, simple-to-deploy solutions with advanced security features. For compliance- and governance-focused organizations, Saviynt and Senhasegura provide compliance automation integrated and identity governance. For cloud-first organizations, Saviynt and One Identity Safeguard both offer robust hybrid and multi-cloud PAM capabilities. Remediant SecureONE would be most suitable for organizations implementing a Just-in-Time (JIT) model of access to avoid standing privilege, while Fudo would be the best PAM tool for remote privileged access protection.

Finally, the best PAM tool will be selected based on an organization’s security policy, compliance, and scalability. A successful investment in a good PAM solution not only secures valuable resources but also reduces cybersecurity threats as well as business inefficiency to its maximum extent.

FAQs 

1. What is a Privileged Access Management (PAM) tool, and why does an organization need it?

A PAM tool is a security software solution utilized to manage, monitor, and protect privileged accounts in an attempt to block malicious access and cyber-attacks. Enforcing least-privilege policies, preventing insider threats, and ensuring regulatory compliance are very important.

2. What are the key characteristics to look for in the best PAM tool?

The key characteristics to look for in the best PAM tool are privileged account vaulting, Just-in-Time (JIT) access, session monitoring, multi-factor authentication (MFA), automated compliance reporting, and integration with IAM and SIEM solutions.

3. Which are the best PAM tools for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs)?

SMBs will appreciate affordable and easy-to-use products such as Keeper Security PAM, ManageEngine PAM360, and Netwrix Privilege Secure that provide vital security features without complicated deployment processes.

4. Are cloud-native PAM solutions available for hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures?

Yes, Saviynt Privileged Access Management, Delinea (Thycotic & Centrify), and One Identity Safeguard provide cloud-native PAM solutions that scale to accommodate hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure.

5. How do best PAM tools help with regulation compliance?

PAM tools enforce security policies, offer audit logs, automate compliance reporting, and are GDPR, HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27001 standards-compliant to ensure that organizations are meeting regulatory requirements for privileged access security.