Ping Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID -- Enterprise IAM Compared
Ping Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID and Ping Identity are both cloud iam solutions. Microsoft Entra ID microsoft's cloud identity platform with deep M365 and Azure integration, while Ping Identity enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.
Last updated
The Verdict
Choose Microsoft Entra ID if included in Microsoft 365 licensing — significant cost savings for M365 shops is your priority and organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure that want unified identity management across their Microsoft ecosystem. Choose Ping Identity if extremely flexible deployment — cloud, hybrid, and fully on-premises options matters most and large enterprises needing flexible deployment options, complex federation, and API security alongside traditional IAM capabilities.
Used Ping Identity or Microsoft Entra ID? Share your experience.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Ping Identity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Custom enterprise pricing / PingOne Essential from $3/user/month | Free tier included with M365 / P1 from $6/user/month / P2 from $9/user/month |
| Pricing Model | Per-user subscription with tiered packages | Per-user monthly subscription (tiered) |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-Hosted | Cloud |
| Best For | Large enterprises needing flexible deployment options, complex federation, and API security alongside traditional IAM capabilities | Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure that want unified identity management across their Microsoft ecosystem |
| Single sign-on for cloud and on-premi... | Not available | Supported |
| Conditional access with risk-based po... | Not available | Supported |
| Multi-factor authentication with pass... | Not available | Supported |
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Microsoft Entra ID when:
- +You value extremely flexible deployment — cloud, hybrid, and fully on-premises options
- +You value handles complex enterprise federation scenarios that simpler platforms cannot
- +You value strong API security capabilities beyond basic identity management
- +You want to avoid best experience limited to Microsoft ecosystem applications
- +You want to avoid non-Microsoft application integrations can be less polished than Okta
Choose Ping Identity when:
- +You value included in Microsoft 365 licensing — significant cost savings for M365 shops
- +You value deep native integration with Azure, M365, and Defender ecosystem
- +You value conditional access policies are among the most powerful in the industry
- +You want to avoid product portfolio complexity — many separate products with overlapping capabilities
- +You want to avoid steeper learning curve than cloud-native platforms like Okta
Other Ping Identity Alternatives
Cloud identity and access management platform for SSO, MFA, and lifecycle management
Cloud IAM platform with SmartFactor Authentication and cost-effective pricing
Open directory platform unifying identity, device management, and access in one console
Cisco's MFA and zero trust access platform known for ease of deployment
Enterprise identity platform with AI-driven orchestration for complex deployments
Open-source IAM platform with SSO, identity brokering, and fine-grained authorization
Developer-first identity platform for customer authentication and CIAM
Pros & Cons Comparison
Microsoft Entra ID
Pros
- +Included in Microsoft 365 licensing — significant cost savings for M365 shops
- +Deep native integration with Azure, M365, and Defender ecosystem
- +Conditional access policies are among the most powerful in the industry
- +Passwordless authentication with Windows Hello and FIDO2 support
- +Massive scale — proven across billions of authentications daily
Cons
- –Best experience limited to Microsoft ecosystem applications
- –Non-Microsoft application integrations can be less polished than Okta
- –Admin portal complexity — settings spread across multiple Azure portals
- –Identity Governance features require expensive P2 licensing
- –Hybrid identity (AD Connect) adds significant complexity
Ping Identity
Pros
- +Extremely flexible deployment — cloud, hybrid, and fully on-premises options
- +Handles complex enterprise federation scenarios that simpler platforms cannot
- +Strong API security capabilities beyond basic identity management
- +Combined Ping + ForgeRock portfolio covers the widest range of identity use cases
- +High-performance directory handles massive-scale CIAM deployments
Cons
- –Product portfolio complexity — many separate products with overlapping capabilities
- –Steeper learning curve than cloud-native platforms like Okta
- –Integration and deployment require more professional services investment
- –Ongoing Ping/ForgeRock merger creates product roadmap uncertainty
- –Cloud-native experience lags behind Okta and Entra ID for simpler use cases
Sources & References
- Microsoft Entra ID — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
- Ping Identity — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
- Microsoft Entra ID Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Ping Identity Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Microsoft Entra ID Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Ping Identity Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Microsoft Entra ID Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
- Ping Identity Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for Access Management 2024[Analyst Report]
- Forrester Wave: Identity-As-A-Service (IDaaS), Q4 2024[Analyst Report]
- KuppingerCole Leadership Compass: Access Management 2024[Analyst Report]
- Gartner Peer Insights: Access Management[Peer Reviews]
Ping Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID FAQ
Common questions about choosing between Ping Identity and Microsoft Entra ID.
What is the main difference between Ping Identity and Microsoft Entra ID?
Microsoft Entra ID and Ping Identity are both cloud iam solutions. Microsoft Entra ID microsoft's cloud identity platform with deep M365 and Azure integration, while Ping Identity enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.
Is Microsoft Entra ID better than Ping Identity?
Choose Microsoft Entra ID if included in Microsoft 365 licensing — significant cost savings for M365 shops is your priority and organizations heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure that want unified identity management across their Microsoft ecosystem. Choose Ping Identity if extremely flexible deployment — cloud, hybrid, and fully on-premises options matters most and large enterprises needing flexible deployment options, complex federation, and API security alongside traditional IAM capabilities.
How much does Microsoft Entra ID cost compared to Ping Identity?
Microsoft Entra ID pricing: Free tier included with M365 / P1 from $6/user/month / P2 from $9/user/month. Ping Identity pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / PingOne Essential from $3/user/month. Microsoft Entra ID's pricing model is per-user monthly subscription (tiered), while Ping Identity uses per-user subscription with tiered packages pricing.
Can I migrate from Ping Identity to Microsoft Entra ID?
Yes, you can migrate from Ping Identity to Microsoft Entra ID. 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.
Related Comparisons & Guides
Microsoft Entra ID Alternatives
Microsoft's cloud identity platform with deep M365 and Azure integration
ComparisonAuth0 vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonJumpCloud vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonKeycloak vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonDuo Security vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonForgeRock vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonMicrosoft Entra ID vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security
ComparisonOkta vs Ping Identity
Enterprise identity security platform with flexible deployment and API security