Ping Identity vs SailPoint: What are the differences?

Introduction

Ping Identity and SailPoint are two popular identity management solutions that offer various features and functionalities. Understanding the key differences between these two solutions is crucial in selecting the right solution for a specific organization's needs.

1. Authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO): Ping Identity is well-known for its robust authentication and SSO capabilities. It provides a comprehensive set of authentication protocols, including SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect, ensuring secure access to applications and resources. SailPoint, on the other hand, primarily focuses on identity and access governance rather than authentication and SSO.

2. Identity Governance and Administration (IGA): SailPoint excels in providing a comprehensive identity governance and administration platform. It offers advanced features like role-based access control, entitlement management, user lifecycle management, and compliance reporting. In contrast, while Ping Identity does offer some IGA capabilities, its primary focus is on authentication and SSO.

3. Cloud Identity Management: Ping Identity has a strong presence in the cloud identity management space. It offers a cloud-based identity platform that provides secure access management, federation, and user provisioning for cloud applications. SailPoint, on the other hand, has traditionally been more focused on on-premises identity management, but it is also expanding its cloud offerings.

4. Integration and Ecosystem: Ping Identity has a broad ecosystem of integrations with various applications, federation protocols, and identity providers. It offers pre-built connectors and APIs that facilitate easy integration with existing IT infrastructure. SailPoint also provides integration capabilities but primarily focuses on integrating with its own identity governance and administration ecosystem.

5. Deployment Options: Ping Identity offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployments. It supports both self-managed and fully-managed cloud solutions. SailPoint, on the other hand, initially focused on on-premises deployments but now offers cloud-based solutions as well.

6. Customer Base and Market Presence: Both Ping Identity and SailPoint have a significant customer base and market presence. Ping Identity serves a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, with customers ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. SailPoint is particularly popular among enterprises that require robust identity governance and administration solutions for compliance and risk management.

In summary, Ping Identity specializes in authentication and SSO, offers strong cloud identity management capabilities, and has a broad integration ecosystem. SailPoint focuses on identity governance and administration, provides advanced features for compliance and risk management, and is expanding its cloud offerings. Selecting the right solution depends on specific requirements, such as the need for strong authentication, identity governance, or a cloud-focused approach.