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F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs Okta Workforce Identity comparison

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Buyer's Guide
F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity
March 2024
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) and Okta Workforce Identity based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Access Management solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity Report (Updated: March 2024).
Download the complete report
767,847 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Ashish Kumar Rai
Offers remote access control, good GUI and easy to configure
Our clients use F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) for remote access control. They log in on an agent for authentication. The same configuration... Read more →
Jamil Rashdi
Provides an additional layer of protection and improves IT operations
The solution has improved our employee onboarding process. The tool has two layers. If something is compromised, there is another layer of... Read more →
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution is stable and reliable.""Our customers have never complained about the stability""The tool is reliable and easy to configure.""This is a product that is easy to install and integrate, and it is simple to use.""The product allows us to create customized portals for your users.""Stickiness is the most valuable feature of the product.""F5 BIG-IP APM is relatively easy to use.""The load balancing features are valuable."

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"The solution can scale very well.""The solution so far has been very stable.""Its simplicity and its integration with various vendor-agnostic platforms are the most valuable features.""Valuable features include UD, SSO functionality, MFA and Adaptive MFA functionality, ability to link multiple Directory databases with UD.""It made things a lot easier, especially with passwords.""The most valuable features are ease of operation and visibility.""Workforce Identity offers a comprehensive access management solution with multi-factor authentication, total control, and features like app access management, identity governance, and administration tools such as certification and access request management. These are typically found in identity management solutions, but Okta integrates them seamlessly into its user interface.""Okta Workforce Identity is easy to use and has a lot of components."

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Cons
"The solution is quite costly.""The operational deployment is not great.""The technical support’s response time must be improved.""F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager has room for improvement in integration with other products.""Cloud services are something that F5 Access Policy Manager could do better""The initial setup was complex.""I'd suggest improved documentation integration directly within the GUI. Right now, finding comprehensive documentation often requires going to external websites like the community portal.""In my opinion, the GUI side needs some improvement based on my usage. Sometimes, it doesn't work as efficiently as the CLI side."

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"We still had to write several internal programs/scripts to complete the user-provisioning process. Okta does not have the ability to provision mailbox accounts for on-premise Exchange or in a hybrid O365 environment. The Group Push function from Okta to AD did not work reliably in our environment.""They should focus on improving them to provide top-notch team access management while still offering those typical features.""The solution lacks an on-premises deployment model so it can't offer a hybrid solution. It would be ideal if clients had options that weren't just cloud-based.""SSO and MFA for improved end-user experience, and protection against password spray attacks, account password self-service.""RESTful Web Service calls and their response seem a bit slow.""There should be automated aggregation and complete classification processes included in it.""Okta Workforce Identity could improve the support system, they are too slow.""There are some issues with the interface that can be improved."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Recently, they have simplified the licensing"
  • "The product is very expensive."
  • "The tool is a little bit expensive."

    • More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It could be a bit too pricey for small companies. Okta Workforce Identity can add a lot of benefits, but smaller companies may not have a lot of applications that need to be managed by Okta Workforce Identity. In larger organizations, there are more departments, applications, and users to manage. Okta Workforce Identity adds a bit more value to those bigger organizations. In addition to standard licensing fees, there are also additional costs for things"
  • "License is around US$20,000 annually."
  • "I believe it competes well. The pricing is pretty competitive. I know that Microsoft also provides something similar with its MFA and identity services."
  • "It is costly for large companies."
  • "The price of this product could be lower."
  • "It has a yearly subscription. As compared to its competitors, it is quite expensive. It also has a complex licensing model."
  • "The pricing is reasonable."
  • "This solution is costly. Pricing is decent if you have less users, but it significantly goes up the more users you have, with its cost not justified."

    • More Okta Workforce Identity Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    What do you like most about F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)?
    Top Answer:The most valuable feature is the virtual IP creation. It's our most frequently used feature.
    Read all 12 answers   →
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for F5 BIG-IP Access ...
    Top Answer:The tool is a little bit expensive. I rate the pricing a six out of ten.
    Read all 5 answers   →
    What needs improvement with F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)?
    Top Answer:In my opinion, the GUI side needs some improvement based on my usage. Sometimes, it doesn't work as efficiently as the CLI side. Feature-wise, sometimes when I log in to the GUI and want to see the… more »
    Read all 12 answers   →
    What do you like most about Okta Workforce Identity?
    Top Answer:It is flexible and easy to install.
    Read all 37 answers   →
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Okta Workforce Id...
    Top Answer:The product is expensive compared to other vendors.
    Read all 24 answers   →
    What needs improvement with Okta Workforce Identity?
    Top Answer:They could provide collaboration with Microsoft for conditional access and other features. They could work on reducing bugs as well.
    Read all 38 answers   →
    Ranking
    9th
    out of 37 in Access Management
    Views
    1,356
    Comparisons
    1,117
    Reviews
    9
    Average Words per Review
    348
    Rating
    8.1
    3rd
    out of 37 in Access Management
    Views
    5,268
    Comparisons
    4,328
    Reviews
    22
    Average Words per Review
    495
    Rating
    8.2
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    F5 Access Policy Manager
    Learn More
    F5
    Okta
    Overview

    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is an access management proxy solution for managing global access to the enterprise networks, cloud providers, applications, and application programming interfaces (APIs). Through a single management interface, BIG-IP APM consolidates remote, mobile, network, virtual, and web access. 

    BIG-IP APM can also serve as a bridge between modern and classic authentication and authorization protocols and methods. For applications which are unable to support modern authentication and authorization protocols, like SAML and OAuth with OIDC, but which do support classic authentication methods, BIG-IP APM converts user credentials to the appropriate authentication standard supported by the application.

    BIG-IP APM Benefits:

    • Ease of use
    • Flexibility
    • Ability to integrate with other systems
    • Security features
    • Granular access control
    • Responsive and helpful support team

    BIG-IP APM Features:

    • Support for Identity Aware Proxy (IAP) enabling Zero Trust application access
    • Context-based authorization with dynamic L4/L7 ACLs
    • Integration with third-party MFA solutions
    • DTLS 2.0 mode for delivering and securing applications
    • SAML 2.0 identity federation support
    • Support for OAuth 2.0 authorization protocol
    • SSO support for classic authentication (Kerberos, header- based, etc.), credential caching, OAuth 2.0, SAML 2.0, and FIDO2 (U2F)
    • AAA server authentication and high-availability
    • Integration with leading IAM vendor products (Microsoft, Okta, Ping Identity)
    • BIG IP Edge Client and F5 Access integrate with VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune and IBM MaaS360
    • Risk-based access leveraging third-party UEBA and risk engines (HTTP Connector)

    Reviews from Real Users

    Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by BIG-IP APM users.

    Mahmmoud Rabie, Senior Site Reliability Engineer, writes that BIG-IP APM is "A highly stable solution for load balancing, but the initial setup is complex."

    Clyde Livingston, Senior Process Specialist at Telstra, says that BIG-IP APM is "Easy to use, useful access remotely, but lacking stability."

    Chris Lam, Senior Solution Consultant at Macroview Telecom Limited, states that BIG-IP APM is "Useful for remote access VPN and VPI integration with VMware.

    Okta Workforce Identity is a comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) solution designed to enhance security and streamline user experiences for businesses of all sizes. As a cloud-based platform, it offers a suite of tools that simplify user authentication, authorization, and management across a variety of applications and services.

    Core Features

    • Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials, enhancing convenience and reducing password fatigue.
    • Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Provides robust security by requiring additional verification factors, which can adapt based on the user's location, device, and behavior.
    • Lifecycle Management: Automates user account creation, updating, and deactivation, ensuring access rights are current and compliant with company policies.
    • Universal Directory: A centralized directory service that supports user and group management across various applications, simplifying administrative tasks.
    • API Access Management: Safeguards APIs by implementing policies that control how and when they can be accessed, which is crucial for protecting sensitive data.

    PeerSpot users often praise Okta Workforce Identity for its ease of use and robust security features. IT professionals appreciate the streamlined integration with numerous applications and the flexibility in configuring access policies. Business executives value the enhanced security posture and the ability to enforce compliance across their digital assets.

    For IT professionals, Okta Workforce Identity offers a scalable and efficient solution to manage user identities and access rights. The ability to automate routine tasks like user provisioning and deactivation significantly reduces administrative overhead, allowing IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. Furthermore, the platform's comprehensive reporting capabilities aid in monitoring and auditing access, which is critical for maintaining security and compliance.

    Business executives will find that Okta Workforce Identity aligns with broader organizational goals of operational efficiency and risk management. Its intuitive user experience minimizes disruptions to workforce productivity, while advanced security features like adaptive MFA help mitigate the risk of data breaches. The platform's cloud-based nature ensures scalability and agility, enabling businesses to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and workforce dynamics.

    Okta Workforce Identity stands out as a versatile and secure IAM solution, adept at meeting the complex needs of modern enterprises. Its combination of user-friendly features and robust security measures makes it a top choice for organizations aiming to streamline their identity management processes while bolstering their cybersecurity defenses.

    Sample Customers
    City Bank, Ricacorp Properties, Miele, American Systems, Bangladesh Post Office
    FedEx, Zoom, Takeda, Lululemon Athletica, GrunHub, jetBlue, McKensson, Bain & Company, Engie, Peloton, Sonos, T-Mobile, Hewlett Packard, MGM Resorts, Ally Financial, Priceline, Albertsons, Itercom, Classy, FICO, Kensho, Live Nation, Drata, Rotary, and others.
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider27%
    Media Company18%
    Computer Software Company18%
    Financial Services Firm18%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm13%
    Computer Software Company12%
    Government11%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company28%
    Manufacturing Company16%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Healthcare Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Government7%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business46%
    Large Enterprise54%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business17%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise69%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business38%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise42%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise62%
    Buyer's Guide
    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity
    March 2024
    Free Report: F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity
    Find out what your peers are saying about F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
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    767,847 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is ranked 9th in Access Management with 13 reviews while Okta Workforce Identity is ranked 3rd in Access Management with 56 reviews. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is rated 8.2, while Okta Workforce Identity is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) writes " Facilitates packet inspection, modification, and offloading and offers visibility and troubleshooting capabilities, allowing for pre-production server testing". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Okta Workforce Identity writes "Extremely easy to work with, simple to set up, and reasonably priced ". F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is most compared with Citrix Gateway, CyberArk Privileged Access Manager, Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine), Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and BeyondTrust Remote Support, whereas Okta Workforce Identity is most compared with Google Cloud Identity, Microsoft Entra ID, SailPoint IdentityIQ, Saviynt and Auth0. See our F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. Okta Workforce Identity report.

    See our list of best Access Management vendors.

    We monitor all Access Management reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.