Akeyless vs AWS Secrets Manager -- Secrets Management Compared

Akeyless vs AWS Secrets Manager

AWS Secrets Manager is the best choice for teams fully invested in AWS, offering native integration that Akeyless can't match. Akeyless offers multi-cloud support and secure remote access that AWS Secrets Manager lacks.

The Verdict

Choose AWS Secrets Manager if you're all-in on AWS and want the simplest managed experience with native service integration. Choose Akeyless if you need multi-cloud support or secure remote access capabilities.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAWS Secrets ManagerAkeyless
Cloud IntegrationDeep AWS-nativeMulti-cloud via gateways
Pricing$0.40/secret/month + API callsCustom pricing
Secret RotationBuilt-in for AWS servicesCustom rotation policies
Multi-CloudAWS onlyAWS, Azure, GCP
InfrastructureFully managedSaaS with gateway
Secure Remote AccessNot availableBuilt-in SSH/RDP
EncryptionAWS KMSZero-knowledge DFC
Vendor Lock-inHigh (AWS)Medium (proprietary)

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose AWS Secrets Manager when:

  • +You're fully committed to the AWS ecosystem
  • +You want zero infrastructure management
  • +You need native RDS, Redshift, and Lambda integration
  • +You prefer pay-per-use pricing over custom quotes
  • +You're already using AWS IAM for access control

Choose Akeyless when:

  • +You use multiple cloud providers
  • +You need secure remote access features
  • +You want a vendor-agnostic secrets platform
  • +You need zero-knowledge encryption architecture
  • +You're planning to move workloads across clouds

Pros & Cons Comparison

AWS Secrets Manager

Pros

  • +Seamless AWS integration
  • +Fully managed, zero infrastructure
  • +Built-in rotation for RDS, Redshift, DocumentDB
  • +Pay-per-use pricing

Cons

  • AWS lock-in
  • Limited to AWS ecosystem
  • Can get expensive at scale
  • No self-hosted option

Akeyless

Pros

  • +Zero-knowledge SaaS architecture
  • +No infrastructure to manage
  • +Built-in secure remote access
  • +Fast time-to-value and easy onboarding
  • +Multi-cloud out of the box

Cons

  • Proprietary and closed-source
  • Custom pricing lacks transparency
  • Smaller community than open-source tools
  • Vendor lock-in with proprietary DFC
  • Fewer third-party integrations than Vault

Akeyless vs AWS Secrets Manager FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Akeyless and AWS Secrets Manager.

What is the main difference between Akeyless and AWS Secrets Manager?

AWS Secrets Manager is the best choice for teams fully invested in AWS, offering native integration that Akeyless can't match. Akeyless offers multi-cloud support and secure remote access that AWS Secrets Manager lacks.

Is AWS Secrets Manager better than Akeyless?

Choose AWS Secrets Manager if you're all-in on AWS and want the simplest managed experience with native service integration. Choose Akeyless if you need multi-cloud support or secure remote access capabilities.

How much does AWS Secrets Manager cost compared to Akeyless?

AWS Secrets Manager pricing: $0.40/secret/month + $0.05/10k API calls. Akeyless pricing: Custom pricing / Free community tier. AWS Secrets Manager's pricing model is per-secret, while Akeyless uses custom enterprise pricing.

Can I migrate from Akeyless to AWS Secrets Manager?

Yes, you can migrate from Akeyless to AWS Secrets Manager. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

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