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Methodware Kairos vs RSA Archer comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 4, 2025

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

Methodware Kairos
Ranking in GRC
50th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
8.7
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
RSA Archer
Ranking in GRC
1st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
41
Ranking in other categories
IT Governance (1st), IT Vendor Risk Management (4th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the GRC category, the mindshare of Methodware Kairos is 0.3%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of RSA Archer is 16.3%, up from 16.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
GRC
 

Featured Reviews

SM
Meeting industry standards now and for the future, straightforward setup, with reliability
The most valuable feature is the user-friendly mechanism that makes it possible to easily integrate its data with external, contextually important data, so that wholistic data analytics can be performed from a GRC perspective. At TCS, we have created add-ons to allow this software to be able to import and export data using industry standards like OMG’s XMI (XML Metadata Interchange).
IMRAN ALMARZOOQI - PeerSpot reviewer
Automates compliance management effectively but needs improved interface and dashboards
The tool basically automates whatever processes you already have, so I cannot specify improvements in that regard. However, my main issue with Archer is the graphics. The graphics have always been lacking. I always need to depend on another tool to read information from Archer to have better dashboards. It is like using Linux, and it has a Linux mindset and interface. I want to use Archer for top management and CEOs, but it looks too technical, and the dashboards are not really friendly. They are bulky, like opening an old Nintendo system from nineteen-ninety. The management agrees that Archer lacks in terms of presentation and dashboarding. It is complex, not user-friendly, and bulky. The interface just looks old.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature is the ability to import and export using industry standards like XMI and XML metadata interchange managing the data in and data out."
"The Advance Workflow feature simplifies things."
"With RSA Archer, an admin can set permissions for a normal user to go directly to the tool they need to input some data. Admins can then go through that and approve some requests. Also, they can log in based on these kinds of permissions, including ticketing, service patches, or upgrades."
"Integration is another great aspect of RSA Archer. From the beginning, integration has been a central focus for RSA, and Archer has always integrated well with most tools on the market today."
"The part I liked about Archer was the risk assessment for deficiencies and being able to use it there."
"RSA Archer's best features are advanced workflow, reports, dashboards, and notifications."
"It is a very friendly tool. We can easily understand what is going on inside the tool. I like this tool. We can work with the tool for the ERP platform. We can create automated applications based on the requirements."
"The most valuable feature is the enterprise module, which provides the capability of having all of the information stored and linked with everything else."
"Good dashboards and reporting features; it's easy to gather reports quickly."
 

Cons

"We are currently working on making Essence one hundred percent compliant and we are not there yet."
"It would be useful for customers if COBIT 2019 could be translated into different languages."
"The interface just looks old."
"When we have to do formulas or some other type of calculation in Archer, it sometimes doesn't work correctly. The fields don't display right, and we have to contact RSA Archer support to fix things. I think the calculation components are a bit complicated."
"The solution can be a little slow due to the Silverlight feature."
"I would like to have the ability to build and maintain an inventory of personal data processing activities and assets utilizing a purpose-built taxonomy and data structure."
"Recently, we made a suggestion for cross references, like for one application to another. There were limitations there, so we're hoping that will be included in the next upgrade."
"GUI could be improved."
"The management agrees that Archer lacks in terms of presentation and dashboarding. It is complex, not user-friendly, and bulky."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available
"The solution's price should be reduced. You only have to pay the license and there are no additional fees."
"The price of the solution is very affordable."
"The initial purchase is cheap. You pay a nominal price to start then renew the license annually. You also must buy a license for each module. I'm not too fond of that aspect of the licensing model. You buy the elephant and then spend more money to feed the elephant."
"I am not sure about other companies, but it's quite expensive."
"As I am a developer and responsible for providing production support, I do not have personal knowledge of the pricing. However, my colleagues claim that it is very expensive in comparison with other tools."
"The price of RSA Archer is good. The price isn't too high considering it is a leading tool in the market."
"The solution is not at all a cheap product."
"The pricing is okay. The licensing costs are very reasonable; it is very affordable to us."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Educational Organization
23%
Financial Services Firm
18%
Insurance Company
9%
Computer Software Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about RSA Archer?
It has various valuable features. For example, showing us if a control aligns with specific standards or frameworks helps us understand it better and verify its compliance.
What needs improvement with RSA Archer?
If the user needs to fill data, they need to go to one page and then to the next page if they can reduce the number of clicks to perform some activities and would like RSA to improve in this area. ...
What is your primary use case for RSA Archer?
I perform all of our information security management governance and risk -related activities through Archer. My organization manages all types of audits and Enterprise risk activities using Archer.
 

Comparisons

No data available
 

Also Known As

Kairos
Archer
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Global Insurance Syndicate
T-Systems, Bridge Point, Equifax, First Data, Global Imaging Company, Manulife Financial
Find out what your peers are saying about Methodware Kairos vs. RSA Archer and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,168 professionals have used our research since 2012.