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IBM Security Secret Server vs Okta Platform comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 22, 2026

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

IBM Security Secret Server
Ranking in Privileged Access Management (PAM)
22nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
5.7
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Okta Platform
Ranking in Privileged Access Management (PAM)
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
109
Ranking in other categories
Single Sign-On (SSO) (2nd), Authentication Systems (3rd), Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (2nd), Access Management (2nd), ZTNA as a Service (2nd), Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) (1st), AI IT Support (2nd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Privileged Access Management (PAM) category, the mindshare of IBM Security Secret Server is 1.3%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Okta Platform is 3.3%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Privileged Access Management (PAM) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Okta Platform3.3%
IBM Security Secret Server1.3%
Other95.4%
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
 

Featured Reviews

AsifIqbal - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Vanga Sainithinreddy - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Developer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Single secure login has simplified daily access and strengthened multi-factor protection
Okta Platform offers several valuable features. The first one is Single Sign-On, which allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to enter credentials repeatedly. I believe that is one of the best features. The second one is multi-factor authentication (MFA). It adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods such as a password and a mobile verification code. I use it mostly to manage secure access to enterprise applications and cloud services. Other features include user lifecycle management and integration with cloud applications. I myself have relied mostly on multi-factor authentication (MFA) because I tend to log in every day and whenever I am working or take a break, I use this multi-factor authentication to sign in. Okta Platform simplifies identity management, improves security, and allows employees to access multiple applications through a single secure login. I believe this is a very good feature. Okta Platform has improved our organization through user authentication with features like Single Sign-On and multi-factor authentication. I believe the features it provides simplify identity management, improve security, and fulfill the need for secure and centralized identity and access management.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"Centralized Password Management: Our client has more than 400 geographical locations and approximately ten employees work at each location."
"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."
"As a PAM solution, Secret Server performs all the use cases in our environment."
"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."
"It is one of the most well-known names in this field."
"Okta Workforce Identity is easy to use and has a lot of components."
"The most valuable feature of this solution for most customers is access management."
"Since implementing Okta Platform, I have noticed measurable security and operational improvements in our cloud-based workloads."
"It made things a lot easier, especially with passwords."
"Its simplicity and its integration with various vendor-agnostic platforms are the most valuable features."
"Ease of use and the ability to trust the product are what I value most."
"A solution that's easy to use, stable, and reliable."
"Okta Platform authentication is essential because it minimizes the hassle of signing into multiple applications while maintaining security."
 

Cons

"If you have a hosted PIM in your local environment and you plan to migrate it to some cloud-based environment, then migration will become a painful task."
"The newer interface is more difficult to use than the previous one, and consequently, new users might need more training."
"Although much has improved in last two years, the GUI for IBM products can be improved."
"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."
"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."
"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 nonclustered index is working in an area with a problem that needs improvement."
"The lifecycle management part can be improved. It should also have identity governance and the ability to choose a specific factor authentication at the application level."
"Okta has a limitation with directory integrations. If you have multiple Active Directory integrations, the user distinguished name (DN) and the manager DN don't get imported properly into the Okta user profile."
"With the device applications, when you are checking the logs, you can't hide the device and that's a feature that's missing."
"In some setup cases, there are issues with attributes not going in properly."
"There should be automated aggregation and complete classification processes included in it."
"Okta Workforce Identity could improve the support system, they are too slow."
"Some limitations in scalability. Each application we work with can be completely different, resulting in highly variable implementation processes."
"In the future, we'd like to see the product implement more security features, like, for example, zero-trust."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"My rating for the IBM Security Secret Server pricing is seven out of ten. It could be cheaper."
"I believe that we paid 35,000 or 40,000 US dollars for it."
"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."
"The cost per user for this solution is really high and could be reduced."
"The licensing is per user per month and includes full technical support."
"The product is expensive compared to other vendors."
"License is around US$20,000 annually."
"The licensing model is fine for general service usage. However, the charges for API features and API tokens can be quite high."
"The price of this product could be lower."
"The pricing for Okta Workforce Identity could still be improved or made cheaper. It costs from 50 to 100 euros a year per user. Okta Workforce Identity has different packages you can choose from, and my previous company had all of them, particularly the full Okta suite."
"The price of the solution is fair for what it offers."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Insurance Company
20%
Construction Company
11%
Computer Software Company
8%
Performing Arts
8%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Computer Software Company
7%
Educational Organization
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise2
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business47
Midsize Enterprise22
Large Enterprise56
 

Questions from the Community

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...
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...
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...
What do you like most about Okta Workforce Identity?
Okta has introduced the Universal Directory. It has custom attribute capability and user permissions to read/write on their profiles or hide them. Profile sources and identity profile sourcing are ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Okta Workforce Identity?
Pricing for Okta is reasonably not that much, however, I don't have access to the commercial aspect.
What needs improvement with Okta Workforce Identity?
Currently, in Okta Workforce Identity we get the two-digit authentication code. Instead of getting the two-digit authentication code, if we had an option to do fingerprint verification, that would ...
 

Also Known As

IBM Secret Server, Secret Server, IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager
Okta Customer Identity, Workforce Identity
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
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.
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Security Secret Server vs. Okta Platform and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.
893,244 professionals have used our research since 2012.