CyberArk vs HashiCorp Boundary -- PAM & Identity Compared
HashiCorp Boundary approaches access management from a modern, infrastructure-as-code perspective, integrating deeply with Vault and Terraform. While CyberArk provides comprehensive traditional PAM, Boundary is designed for dynamic cloud environments where infrastructure changes rapidly and access needs to be identity-driven rather than credential-driven.
HashiCorp Boundary is best for organizations already in the HashiCorp ecosystem that need dynamic, identity-driven access to cloud infrastructure. CyberArk is the choice when comprehensive traditional PAM, deep compliance, and enterprise maturity are required.
| Feature | HashiCorp Boundary | CyberArk |
|---|---|---|
| Access Model | Identity-based with host catalogs | Credential vaulting and session proxy |
| Secrets Integration | Native Vault credential brokering | Built-in Conjur secrets management |
| Infrastructure Awareness | Dynamic host catalogs (AWS, Azure) | Static resource configuration |
| Session Recording | Session recording (HCP Enterprise) | Advanced PSM recording and replay |
| Deployment Model | IaC-driven, Terraform-managed | Traditional enterprise deployment |
| Open Source | MPL 2.0 licensed core | Proprietary closed-source |
| Network Access | Multi-hop sessions, no VPN | Jump server and PSM architecture |
| Maturity | Newer, rapidly evolving | 20+ years of enterprise PAM |
Common questions about choosing between CyberArk and HashiCorp Boundary.
HashiCorp Boundary approaches access management from a modern, infrastructure-as-code perspective, integrating deeply with Vault and Terraform. While CyberArk provides comprehensive traditional PAM, Boundary is designed for dynamic cloud environments where infrastructure changes rapidly and access needs to be identity-driven rather than credential-driven.
HashiCorp Boundary is best for organizations already in the HashiCorp ecosystem that need dynamic, identity-driven access to cloud infrastructure. CyberArk is the choice when comprehensive traditional PAM, deep compliance, and enterprise maturity are required.
HashiCorp Boundary pricing: Free (OSS) / HCP Boundary from $0.20/session. CyberArk pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / From $2/user/month (basic). HashiCorp Boundary's pricing model is per-session or self-hosted free, while CyberArk uses per-user subscription + modules pricing.
Yes, you can migrate from CyberArk to HashiCorp Boundary. 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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