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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Omada Identity comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
7.1
Cisco Identity Services Engine enhances security, simplifies operations, and reduces costs while boosting productivity and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Sentiment score
5.2
Omada Identity boosts efficiency and ROI with fewer tickets, automation benefits, despite initial costs and integration challenges.
Direct comparisons with Forescout reveal up to 30% to 40% difference in cost savings.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
To support the organization, we maintain a team of two or three, but one is more than sufficient because of its operational efficiency, the security it provides, and the user interface, including the dashboard provided.
Associate Security Analyst at Tech Mahindra
I have seen a return on investment with Omada Identity in terms of time saved and fewer employees needed.
Senior IT Support Technician at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Omada Identity has high cost and fewer features relative to competitors such as Saviynt and SailPoint.
Senior Analyst at Toll Holdings Limited
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.7
Cisco ISE support is highly rated for knowledge and responsiveness but struggles with response times and communication challenges.
Sentiment score
6.7
Omada Identity's service is praised for responsiveness and capability, but users suggest improvement in complex query handling and documentation.
I rate the technical support as one out of ten.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
Cisco support has pretty good teams for support and every time we had good answers and we could somehow solve the issues we had.
Network and Technology Information Manager at Akkodis
Sometimes it's challenging to identify which support team is responsible for certain issues, which is a significant concern.
Solution Architect, Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
The vendor support needs improvement because we have reported serious incidents that remain unresolved.
Lead Cyber Security Architect at Ernst & Young
Maintenance is necessary, and aside from that, if there are issues with Salesforce cloud, then Omada Identity may go down.
IT Analyst at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
The customer support for Omada Identity is excellent.
Senior IT Support Technician at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.3
Cisco ISE supports smooth scalability for diverse enterprises, but virtualization and hardware challenges may require strategic solutions.
Sentiment score
7.5
Omada Identity excels in scalable user management across environments with notable adaptability and comprehensive connector support despite configuration challenges.
Factors like architecture, business nature, and legal limitations such as GDPR affect it.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
However, you can have some latency issues depending on where your devices are.
Network and Technology Information Manager at Akkodis
The scalability of Omada Identity is excellent; they offer flexible pricing for licenses, accommodating both full accounts and lighter identities, which makes it truly scalable.
Identity Access Management (IAM) Engineer at Draexlmaier
Omada Identity is a top-growing tool that is booming in the market.
IT Analyst at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Omada Identity scales very well for our organization.
Iam Security Specialist at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.7
Cisco ISE is stable and reliable, but large deployments may face challenges, requiring proper configuration and effective support.
Sentiment score
7.6
Omada Identity is stable and well-rated, with occasional issues in integration and updates but regular improvements.
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is considered very reliable and stable.
Solution Architect, Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
The stability of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is poor for certain use cases, like authentication.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
Sometimes when we have upgrades or failovers with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), we had some minor issues.
Network and Technology Information Manager at Akkodis
In terms of stability, I rate Omada Identity a nine out of ten.
Identity Access Management (IAM) Engineer at Draexlmaier
We have experienced too many unexpected errors on a daily basis.
Lead Cyber Security Architect at Ernst & Young
Omada Identity is a stable and reliable tool.
IT Analyst at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco ISE is hindered by complexity, compatibility issues, costly licensing, and needs improvements in usability, support, and performance.
Omada Identity requires improvements in user interface, reporting, performance, documentation, integration, API reliability, scalability, and error handling.
The whole setup works well with Cisco access points and Cisco switches, but when you have multiple vendors in the environment, such as HP switches or access points like Aruba, you'll find they will not work well with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
Technical Services Lead at Telenet Solutions
Pricing can be more expensive compared to other vendors, and there is a significant price gap observed, which doesn't seem justified by some specific features.
Solution Architect, Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
They are very poor in asset classification and should focus on improving the preauthentication profiling, especially for NAC use cases.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
For someone unfamiliar with Omada Identity, comprehensive documentation would greatly enhance user understanding, which I believe is essential for clients and vendors.
Security Delivery Senior Analyst at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Improvements needed for Omada Identity include out-of-the-box integrations and connectors for modern SaaS and cloud-native applications.
Associate Security Analyst at Tech Mahindra
The biggest issue, which is the reason why we are transitioning from their product to SailPoint, is the overall user experience.
Manager at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
 

Setup Cost

Cisco ISE pricing is complex and costly, with strong vendor partnerships needed for discounts, favoring large enterprises over smaller businesses.
Omada Identity offers cost-effective on-premises pricing, but its cloud solution is more expensive, requiring negotiation for better deals.
Compared to other solutions like HPE ClearPass, Cisco is more costly, and the conversation suggests a possible forty percent price gap compared to competitors.
Solution Architect, Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
The license costs can range between $50,000 to $100,000 per year for enterprises.
Technical Services Lead at Telenet Solutions
Cloud solutions are expensive, while on-prem setups with shared environments are cheaper but not effective.
Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
It remains less expensive compared to SailPoint's AI offerings.
Senior Analyst at Toll Holdings Limited
They are lower than some of their competitors.
Manager at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
the product itself is said to have a good price, although the support can be expensive.
Identity Access Management (IAM) Engineer at Draexlmaier
 

Valuable Features

Cisco ISE excels in security, network access control, and integration, offering adaptability, scalability, and centralized management for organizations.
Omada Identity excels in flexible configuration, integration, automation, and compliance, enhancing security and scalability for complex identity management.
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers authentication using RADIUS, enhancing network security by separating and segregating networks.
Technical Services Lead at Telenet Solutions
There is value because it helps us secure the network and prevents certain things from happening which could cause financial loss.
Ag Systems & Networks Head at UNBS
The adaptability of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) policy enforcement can fit to the site we have depending on which kind of devices we have on site and then the needs for authentication, granting access and then assigning each device into its correct network for segmentation.
Network and Technology Information Manager at Akkodis
Omada Identity helps automate reviews of access requests and reroutes them to appropriate people, which is what it should do; it really assists in reducing the workload time.
Identity Access Management (IAM) Engineer at Draexlmaier
You can really do it codeless by creating a custom process with the process designer, adding the building blocks of the process designer into the process, and then getting it to work.
principal IGA consultant and partner at Fortigi
The integration with those systems helps my workflow and saves time considerably because I can manage all the accesses and assignments through Omada Identity at once, eliminating the need to add a license through Azure or a mailbox through Exchange.
Senior IT Support Technician at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Identity Services Eng...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
144
Ranking in other categories
Network Access Control (NAC) (2nd), Cisco Security Portfolio (4th)
Omada Identity
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
61
Ranking in other categories
User Provisioning Software (5th), Identity Management (IM) (5th), Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (7th), Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) (7th), Identity Governance Administration (IGA) (3rd)
 

Mindshare comparison

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Omada Identity aren’t in the same category and serve different purposes. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is designed for Network Access Control (NAC) and holds a mindshare of 18.4%, down 25.1% compared to last year.
Omada Identity, on the other hand, focuses on Identity Governance Administration (IGA), holds 11.6% mindshare, up 7.9% since last year.
Network Access Control (NAC) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)18.4%
Aruba ClearPass17.7%
Fortinet FortiNAC13.2%
Other50.7%
Network Access Control (NAC)
Identity Governance Administration (IGA) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Omada Identity11.6%
SailPoint Identity Security Cloud27.2%
Saviynt Identity Cloud16.5%
Other44.7%
Identity Governance Administration (IGA)
 

Featured Reviews

NF
Network and Technology Information Manager at Akkodis
Has improved authentication management and simplified visitor network access
The log capacity in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could be enhanced because today natively on the ISE can only have a look at the logs from the day before. You cannot search into the oldest logs; you have to use another tool for that. This can be blocking if you don't have any log consolidation solution. To do a search for an issue or something that happened two days ago, you cannot search directly in there. The capacity of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could be enhanced. Something between one week and one month for the log capacity would be nice.
AmitRathod - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Analyst at Toll Holdings Limited
Identity governance has automated lifecycle workflows and strengthens access risk control
Omada Identity has a very good and easy automated onboarding and offboarding process which provisions correct system access from day one when employees or contractors join, and it automatically revokes their access and prevents orphan accounts when they leave. It provides role-based transfers which seamlessly upgrade user permissions when individuals change departments or roles, ensuring they only have the privileges necessary for their new positions. For risk mitigation and intelligent analytics, it leverages machine learning to uncover vulnerabilities, recommends appropriate access roles, and flags anomalous user behavior before it becomes a security threat. Omada Identity also extends strict governance controls and life cycle tracking to AI agents, service accounts, and API keys, securing the expanding IT infrastructure. It allows businesses to map their paper-based approval process into automated drag-and-drop digital workflows without relying on complex custom coding and provides a centralized self-service portal for employees to request temporary or permanent access to specific applications with proper approval from one or two level approvers, which includes built-in routing to the correct approvers. The value received from Omada Identity at the start was significant, particularly due to its codeless configuration, allowing us to map our approval process into automated drag-and-drop digital workflows without excessive complexity. For access requests, we established a centralized self-service portal to manage temporary or permanent access requests with appropriate approvals. Omada Identity uses machine learning to uncover vulnerabilities, recommending access roles and flagging anomalous behavior before it becomes a threat, providing confidence through initial POCs leading to a complete deployment.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
7%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business45
Midsize Enterprise32
Large Enterprise91
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise51
 

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Aruba Clearpass or Cisco ISE?
Aruba ClearPass is a Network Access Control tool that gives secure network access to multiple device types. You can adapt the policies to VPN access, wired, or wireless access. You can securely ...
What are the main differences between Cisco ISE and Forescout Platform?
OK, so Cisco ISE uses 802.1X to secure switchports against unauthorized access. The drawback of this is that ISE cannot secure the port if a device does not support 802.1x. Cameras, badge readers, ...
How does Cisco ISE compare with Fortinet FortiNAC?
Cisco ISE uses AI endpoint analytics to identify new devices based on their behavior. It will also notify you if someone plugs in with a device that is not allowed and will block it. The user exper...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Omada Identity Cloud?
Regarding my experience with pricing, the setup cost and licensing for Omada Identity were handled by my manager, and I did not face any licensing issues for Omada Identity, nor did my team.
What needs improvement with Omada Identity Cloud?
Regarding how Omada Identity can be improved, I find that Omada Identity import takes a long time. Also, in Omada Identity, if a user goes and requests, it creates jobs for specific target systems,...
What is your primary use case for Omada Identity Cloud?
My main use case for Omada Identity involves working for L2 support operations, where we have used it for onboarding contractors into Omada, and also passing user data to target systems such as Azu...
 

Also Known As

Cisco ISE
Omada Identity Suite, Omada Identity Cloud
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, BC Hydro, Beachbody, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Cisco IT, Derby City Council, Global Banking Customer, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, Houston Methodist, Linz AG, London Hydro, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Molina Healthcare, MST Systems, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Reykjavik University, Wildau University
Bayer, ECCO Shoes, Vattenfall, NuStar Energy, Unicredit, Schiphol Group, BMW Group, Deutsche Leasing
Find out what your peers are saying about Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco, Fortinet and others in Network Access Control (NAC). Updated: July 2026.
906,418 professionals have used our research since 2012.