Delinea Secret Server vs IBM Security Secret Server comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Delinea and IBM are both solutions in the Privileged Access Management (PAM) category. Delinea is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.2, while IBM is ranked #20 with an average rating of 8.0. Delinea holds a 3.5% mindshare in PAM, compared to IBM’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Delinea users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of IBM users who would recommend it.

Delinea Secret Server

Read 63 Delinea Secret Server reviews

8,299 Views
4,730 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Security Secret Server

Read 8 IBM Security Secret Server reviews

1,371 Views
1,357 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Delinea Secret Server

IBM Security Secret Server

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 6, 2024

Delinea Secret Server and IBM Security Secret Server are competitors in the secret management market. IBM Security Secret Server seems to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive features despite a higher cost.

Features: Delinea Secret Server offers strong integration capabilities, automation satisfaction, and ease of use. IBM Security Secret Server provides enhanced scalability, diverse functionalities, and superior security features.

Room for Improvement: Delinea Secret Server could improve reporting, streamline maintenance, and enhance server configurations. IBM Security Secret Server users seek better audit logging, simpler configuration settings, and expanded security features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Delinea Secret Server is known for its straightforward deployment but noted for an initial learning curve. IBM Security Secret Server offers smooth onboarding and excellent support, giving it an edge in customer satisfaction.

Pricing and ROI: Delinea Secret Server presents a better initial cost suitable for smaller budgets with noticeable ROI. IBM Security Secret Server, though more expensive, is favored for long-term benefits and robust features, appealing to larger enterprises.

To learn more, read our detailed Delinea Secret Server vs. IBM Security Secret Server Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Delinea Secret Server vs. IBM Security Secret Server

September 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Delinea Secret Server

Ranking in Privileged Access Management (PAM)

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Password Managers (8th), Secrets Management Tools (5th)

IBM Security Secret Server

Ranking in Privileged Access Management (PAM)

20th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Privileged Access Management (PAM) category, the mindshare of Delinea Secret Server is 3.5%, down from 7.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Security Secret Server is 1.5%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Privileged Access Management (PAM) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Delinea Secret Server	3.5%
IBM Security Secret Server	1.5%
Other	95.0%

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Featured Reviews

Satyam Panchal

Adjunct Assistant Professor at a university with 5,001-10,000 employees

Robust credential management has improved security and simplifies privileged access control

I would characterize common frustrations related to Delinea Secret Server rather than using the term dislike. One area is the complexity for the administrative part. While it is straightforward in core values, configuring advanced policies, custom templates, and other areas including discovery scans and detailed reporting have a steep learning curve and may require extra training. The user interface and terminology present another challenge. Some users feel that the user interface can feel dated or overly complex, with terminology around secrets and folder structures taking time to master. Pricing perception is another point where some costs are mixed, while many others find Delinea Secret Server more affordable and flexible than tier one competitors. However, smaller teams still view enterprise licensing as a significant investment. I have observed poor technical support, particularly in multiple reviews. The support can be slow, limited, and sometimes unhelpful when troubleshooting complex configurations or stability issues. Aggressive or untransparent sales practices also present a concern. Some customers on G2 have cited frustrations with hidden costs, such as unexpected EC2 instance fees and core features being unbundled or oversold during contract negotiation. Complex implementation and setup is another significant challenge. The initial configuration, deployment, and managing advanced policies or connectors requires specialized expertise that most organizations do not have, and the steep learning curve compounds this issue. Users transitioning to the cloud-hosted version frequently complain that the updated interface and permissions structure feel slow and problematic compared to the legacy on-premise setup. Integration and API challenges represent the final area of concern. The platform points out challenges with API tokenization and external system integration, and the lack of documentation is one of the key points I would highlight. This limitation affects the ability to integrate with external systems effectively.

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AsifIqbal

Chief Information Security Officer at a insurance company with 501-1,000 employees

Privileged access monitoring has strengthened identity control and improved security posture

I find the monitoring and recording parts of IBM Security Secret Server to be the most valuable features. Password vaulting is somewhat typical, but I rate monitoring and recording as very good features, along with ease of deployment. The reporting tools in IBM Security Secret Server have helped me identify vulnerabilities. From the monitoring part, you can somewhat cover the identity vulnerability aspect. However, for identity vulnerability, I think the best approach is to use IAM rather than PAM. It is easy to integrate IBM Security Secret Server with cybersecurity frameworks, which is a very important aspect. When we are improving our attack surface, identity is the most important thing that we need to cover, and PAM will play a very crucial role in improving our cybersecurity framework and architecture. The main benefits that IBM Security Secret Server provides for me include complete control over the privileged identities, which are the main sources that can have the privilege to make numerous changes on the system. If we protect these identities through PAM and provide elevation on their accounts when required, then we can improve our security posture and infrastructure security.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The secret template, password rotation, and recording sessions are the most valuable."

"When making a decision about which solution to purchase, it often comes down to a choice between Thycotic and CyberArk, and the cost and features one gets with the latter provides a little more value and saves money in the process, although the former is somewhat easier to deploy and to get up and running."

"The solution is good."

"There has been no downtime this year."

"I really like the zero trust piece."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is that it provides us with a secure way of managing passwords."

"I like that it's user-friendly."

"Provides us with the ability to control access [to secrets] by groups."

More Delinea Secret Server pros

"It is one of the most well-known names in this field."

"The main benefits that IBM Security Secret Server provides for me include complete control over the privileged identities, which are the main sources that can have the privilege to make numerous changes on the system, and if we protect these identities through PAM and provide elevation on their accounts when required, then we can improve our security posture and infrastructure security."

"What I like best about IBM Security Secret Server is its single-access console. It's also easy to manage and fulfills the requirements with the least resistance."

"The live recording is a very useful feature."

"Stability-wise, I think it is a very good solution."

"One of the most valuable features is scalability, and how it allows you to scale it without affecting the underlying core components."

"This product has been able to cover most of the requests from our customers."

"Access to privileged, shared credentials is simplified by optimizing the whole workflow and approval processes."

More IBM Security Secret Server pros

Cons

"One thing that I wish they would do is to have a Kubernetes or container-based deployment supported, but they're not quite there yet. Containerization or support for containerization would be fantastic."

"They could improve the container platform and SPO."

"The tool should integrate additional features like OCR."

"As I am partial to CyberArk, I rate Thycotic Password Reset Server as a nine out of ten, owing to the minor glitches I mentioned."

"It would be better if they had a Linux version of the secret server."

"The challenge for me with Delinea is that I may not be able to pitch it to an account with a low budget for PAM."

"We find the documentation hard to understand."

"In many PAM tools, when users request a password checkout, they need to provide justification. However, in my experience across four organizations, nobody actually reads the justifications. Users can simply type anything and get the password. This becomes a risk and compliance issue. There needs to be continuous improvement in this area, focusing on problem identification and mitigation strategies."

More Delinea Secret Server cons

"I mention that password vaulting and password rotation in IBM Security Secret Server are basically the same thing, and it becomes somewhat complex when integrating a different system with them because it requires API development."

"It would be preferable if the full proxy was included in the IBM Security Secret Server."

"Secret Server should have the ability to discover privileged accounts in the servers, like the administrator or users, from SQL and Oracle without having to import a script."

"Although much has improved in last two years, the GUI for IBM products can be improved."

"Unfortunately, the technical support is not very responsive because we purchased it from IBM; however, the actual support comes from Thycotic."

"The newer interface is maybe confusing old customer that using previous one from their point of views, I think they will need little pass of time to be familiar with."

"The newer interface is more difficult to use than the previous one, and consequently, new users might need more training."

"What needs improvement in IBM Security Secret Server is support. The local partner provides good support, but IBM itself doesn't. Most of the time, the IBM support team does not aggressively resolve issues reported through chat or the IBM website."

More IBM Security Secret Server cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It isn't terribly expensive."

"Pricing is comparable to competing products."

"When comparing the price of Thycotic Secret Server with other solutions it is reasonable."

"The pricing is standard in this business and we have no complaints about it."

"There is an annual license needed to use Delinea Secret Server."

"The solution is low-cost than other vendors."

"Compared to other solutions, Delinea Secret Server is competitively priced but on the higher side."

"It is very expensive, and its price should be lower."

More Delinea Secret Server pricing and cost advice

"My rating for the IBM Security Secret Server pricing is seven out of ten. It could be cheaper."

"The price could be better. I think it's a good price for the on-premises environment and the high availability for enterprises the solution provides."

"I believe that we paid 35,000 or 40,000 US dollars for it."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

Construction Company

Insurance Company

19%

Outsourcing Company

13%

Construction Company

12%

Performing Arts

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	25
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	29

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

Looking for recommendations and a pros/cons template for software to detect insider threats

This is an inside-out --- outside-in --- inside-in question, as an insider can be an outsider as well. There is no short answer other than a blend of a PAM tool with Behavioral Analytics and Endpo...

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Which PAM tool do you prefer: CyberArk Privileged Access Manager, One Identity Safeguard, Delinea Secret Server, or BeyondTrust Privileged Remote A

For a banking or financial services use case you should check out SplitSecure. Very easy to deploy and use and splits secrets across devices rather than on cloud servers so you get full cryptograph...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Thycotic Password Reset Server?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing in Delinea Secret Server was very straightforward and easy to work with.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Security Secret Server?

I believe there is not much that can be improved for IBM Security Secret Server. Providing local support and local vendor availability would be beneficial so we are not dependent on international s...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for IBM Security Secret Server?

IBM Security Secret Server serves multiple use cases for us, including the monitoring of privileged users, as well as the recording and password vaulting of their accounts, passwords, and need-base...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering IBM Security Secret Server?

I mention that password vaulting and password rotation in IBM Security Secret Server are basically the same thing, and it becomes somewhat complex when integrating a different system with them beca...

See all answers

Comparisons

Idira Privileged Access Manager vs Delinea Secret Server

Compared 9% of the time

1Password Business vs Delinea Secret Server

Compared 7% of the time

Safeguard by One Identity vs Delinea Secret Server

Compared 6% of the time

HashiCorp Vault vs Delinea Secret Server

Compared 5% of the time

BeyondTrust Remote Support vs Delinea Secret Server

Compared 2% of the time

More Delinea Secret Server Competitors

WALLIX Bastion vs IBM Security Secret Server

Compared 27% of the time

Idira Privileged Access Manager vs IBM Security Secret Server

Compared 14% of the time

Fortra's Powertech Identity & Access Manager vs IBM Security Secret Server

Compared 11% of the time

Okta Platform vs IBM Security Secret Server

Compared 5% of the time

Delinea Privileged Access Service vs IBM Security Secret Server

Compared 5% of the time

More IBM Security Secret Server Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Delinea Secret Server

October 2026

Download Delinea Secret Server product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Security Secret Server

September 2026

Download IBM Security Secret Server product report

Also Known As

Thycotic Secret Server, Delinea Password Reset Server

IBM Secret Server, Secret Server, IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager

Overview

Delinea Secret Server efficiently manages privileged access and passwords through robust features like a password vault, Active Directory integration, and remote desktop creation, ensuring enhanced security and compliance.

Delinea Secret Server provides IT teams with essential governance and security capabilities, including automatic password rotation and session monitoring. Its integration options, along with APIs and discovery functionalities, support managing privileged accounts. Effective for improving access security, Delinea Secret Server supports seamless Active Directory integration and offers a user-friendly interface, which aids in risk and compliance management, role-based access, and zero trust support.

What are the key features of Delinea Secret Server?

Robust Password Vault: Secure storage for sensitive credentials.
Seamless Active Directory Integration: Supports directory management and authentication.
Remote Desktop Creation: Facilitates secure remote access.
Automatic Password Rotation: Enhances security by regularly updating passwords.
Session Monitoring: Tracks and records user sessions for enhanced oversight.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance: Aids in audit processes with role-based access control.

What benefits or ROI should users consider in reviews?

Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive data through secure credential storage and management.
Improved Compliance: Facilitates meeting regulatory requirements with detailed session records.
Efficient Management: Streamlined password rotation and Active Directory integration simplify processes.
User-Friendly Features: Offers intuitive management tools for IT teams to handle privileges effectively.

Delinea Secret Server is beneficial for industries requiring stringent security and compliance measures, effectively managing administrative accounts, and monitoring access to critical systems. It is widely adopted for credential management, auditing sessions, and controlling privileged accounts in both on-premises and cloud environments.

Delinea

IBM Security Secret Server provides centralized management of privileged credentials, secure access, session recording, and replay. Its pricing model is unique, being based on user count rather than system connections, making it a flexible choice for organizations.

IBM Security Secret Server enhances cybersecurity by integrating with frameworks and offering features like monitoring, high availability, and adaptable reporting. It simplifies password management, automates changes, and ensures compliance with security protocols. The platform is valued for its ease of deployment and user-friendly interface, although it can improve in areas such as the GUI and integration process. Complex high availability and disaster recovery setups are noted challenges, along with nonclustered indexing issues affecting performance. Users desire improvements in local support and migration processes.

What are the key features of IBM Security Secret Server?

Centralized Management: Streamlines credential management across systems.
Session Recording: Allows recording and replay of sessions for forensic purposes.
Integration Capabilities: Enhances security with diverse cybersecurity frameworks.
Adaptable Reporting: Provides tools for customizable reporting.
Single-Access Console: Offers a unified user experience with granular roles.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies deployment and daily operations.
Scalability: User-based pricing model ensures flexibility and cost-efficiency.
Security Compliance: Ensures adherence to security protocols with automated processes.
Audit and Reporting: Robust capabilities for auditing and compliance documentation.
Enhanced Security Posture: Integrates well with existing frameworks to bolster security.

Organizations across various industries implement IBM Security Secret Server for managing privileged access and securing critical systems. It serves financial institutions by providing a secure jump server for accessing core banking platforms and databases. IT managers benefit from workflow approvals and automated password management, ensuring compliance and boosting security posture. The platform's session recording and auditing features are crucial for sectors needing detailed activity documentation.

IBM

Sample Customers

Secure-24, University of San Diego, International Rescue Committee, San Francisco Ballet, Perkins Coie, University of San Diego, D.S.S. Limited, Turbo's Hoet, Eclipse Computing, Cathay Bank, Stellarise, J&R Consulting

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Delinea Secret Server vs. IBM Security Secret Server

September 2026

Free Report: Delinea Secret Server vs. IBM Security Secret Server

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