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AWS Directory Service vs SailPoint Identity Security Cloud comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 2, 2024

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

AWS Directory Service
Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)
17th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
15
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
SailPoint Identity Security...
Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)
2nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
71
Ranking in other categories
User Provisioning Software (2nd), Identity Management (IM) (1st), SaaS Management Platforms (1st), Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) category, the mindshare of AWS Directory Service is 1.6%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SailPoint Identity Security Cloud is 11.7%, up from 10.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)
 

Featured Reviews

MassimilianoCollavo - PeerSpot reviewer
Integrates well with other tools, particularly through single sign-on
I've been working with AWS Directory Service as part of a broader solution for moving our infrastructure to a hybrid cloud model. Initially, the goal was to replicate our on-premises server to the cloud and then eventually shut down the on-premises server entirely. My work with AWS Directory Service is focused on migrating to the cloud and finding a suitable document management system that allows for online editing, document sharing, and workflow management. I rate it an eight out of ten.
Mitch MO - PeerSpot reviewer
Adapts workflows with industry-specific flexibility for big companies
We find flexibility to be one of the most valuable features. The solution can be customized to adapt the workflow to our industry, offering considerable flexibility. Additionally, it is considered a good solution for large companies due to its scalability and ability to cater to the needs of many customers. It has also enhanced security and provided significant flexibility for our specifications module.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I like the manageability. Activate Connect makes it easier to assign information and to manage the resources in the network."
"The most valuable feature is that because it's all in the cloud, you don't need to manage the infrastructure."
"AWS has eliminated the downtime we waste when our on-premises resources go down."
"The solution integrates well with other tools, particularly through single sign-on, allowing users to connect to various applications using just one password, including email."
"I would rate AWS Directory Service nine out of ten."
"AWS Directory Service is secure."
"The most valuable feature is ease of use."
"The pricing is very good because it is low and there is no management cost."
"The solution can be customized to adapt the workflow to our industry, offering considerable flexibility."
"The first valuable feature of the solution is its interface. The second feature of the solution is the level of flexibility it provides."
"It reduces the operational overhead of audits."
"Provisioning in multiple environments."
"The solution is stable and reliable."
"SailPoint has an edge in terms of security since administrators have limited access, unlike ServiceNow where you can change everything."
"Access certification and provisioning are two of the solutions most valuable features."
"This solution is great for providing control access across your environment."
 

Cons

"Accessing the data needs improvement."
"The AWS Directory Service should be easier to integrate."
"Some of the security protocols are difficult to understand."
"The solution lacks certain features."
"To get CloudWatch to monitor your memory and storage, you have to do some configuration within your server, which sometimes results in errors."
"The group policy can be improved."
"Can be improved by including on-premises access for services through Identity Access Management."
"I've encountered challenges, particularly with Amazon WorkDocs, which is being deprecated. This has made it necessary to find an alternative document management solution that can handle editing, sharing, and workflow management for documents like Word files and PDFs."
"We faced some issues while integrating the solution with a third-party tool."
"In general, I have handled Okta and OpenText and noted that those companies have a longer history in the market, which gives them an advantage over SailPoint Identity Security Cloud and Saviynt in aspects like account provisioning and life cycle management."
"Additional details during account aggregation failures to help quick troubleshooting."
"There is a need for further enhancements, specifically in the multifactor authentication capabilities."
"SailPoint IdentityIQ could be cheaper."
"Needs to focus on automation wherein provisioning of work can be improved and access certification should be automated without the intervention from a manager for approval."
"The UI of the solution could be more customizable so we could change the workflows to suit our needs."
"It allowed to implement the automated processes when a new employee is hired. It allows to have a main central process for new hires."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We pay an annual subscription fee."
"The pricing depends because with AWS there are two types of directory objects: 30,000 and 500,000. It varies. AWS provides the pricing calculators so we can get an estimate from there as per the company requirement of how many users and objects that we need to create. So we can go to that portal, put in the data, and get the quotation. There are no extra licensing fees. It's all included."
"AWS' pricing is fair, and costs can be cut if you look carefully at when you're using it."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"SailPoint IdentityIQ is highly-priced, and I rate it an eight out of ten for pricing."
"Its price is okay. It provides good value for money. It is subscription-based. You can go for a one-year or three-year subscription."
"It's all competitive. Initially, the prices look a bit higher, but once it gets into a competitive situation, they meet the market. I'd rate it an eight out of ten in terms of pricing. It tends to be more expensive, but it works."
"The pricing is a little bit higher than other tools."
"This is an expensive solution. I would rate it a two and a half out of five for pricing."
"It is a costly solution. Its cost, for sure, should be reduced."
"You are able to get discounts if you plan to use the tool for the long-term i.e. discounts for 5+ years of usage."
"You do pay one price for the license but that price depends on what you choose to include as far as the optional modules go."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Healthcare Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
17%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Insurance Company
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about AWS Directory Service?
The most valuable feature of AWS Directory Service is cost-cutting features.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for AWS Directory Service?
The pricing is very good because it is low and there is no management cost. You do not need to hire any system administrator to manage your Active Directory.
What needs improvement with AWS Directory Service?
Accessing the data needs improvement. Additionally, integration and compatibility with other AWS ( /products/amazon-aws-reviews ) services, network open LDAP, support for on-premise and cloud envir...
How does Sailpoint IdentityIQ compare with CyberArk PAM?
We evaluated Sailpoint IdentityIQ before ultimately choosing CyberArk. Sailpoint Identity Platform is a solution to manage risks in cloud enterprise environments. It automates and streamlines the m...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SailPoint IdentityIQ?
The product is expensive. People need to opt for a licensing plan for one year or three years.
What advice do you have for others considering SailPoint IdentityIQ?
You can use SailPoint Atlas to take identity security to the next level. In SailPoint IIQ, writing a custom connector using the open source framework is a good option.
 

Also Known As

AWS Managed Microsoft AD
IdentityIQ, IdentityNow, Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management, Intello
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Expedia, Intuit, Royal Dutch Shell, Brooks Brothers
Adobe, AXA Technology Services, Cuna Mutual Group, Equifax, ING Direct, Orrstown Bank, Rockwell Automation, SallieMae, Spirit Aerosystems, TEL
Find out what your peers are saying about AWS Directory Service vs. SailPoint Identity Security Cloud and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.