CyberArk Identity vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) comparison

CyberArk and F5 are both solutions in the Access Management category. CyberArk is ranked #9 with an average rating of 7.5, while F5 is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.1. CyberArk holds a 2.7% mindshare in AM, compared to F5’s 3.2% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of CyberArk users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 86% of F5 users who would recommend it.

CyberArk Identity

Read 19 CyberArk Identity reviews

835 Views
713 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Man...

Read 14 F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) reviews

1,000 Views
837 Comparison Views

86% willing to recommend

CyberArk Identity

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Man...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 11, 2024

CyberArk Identity and F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) are two leading identity and access management solutions. CyberArk Identity is preferred for its pricing and support, while F5 BIG-IP APM is favored for its robust features, making it worth the investment according to user reviews.

Features: Users value CyberArk Identity for its strong identity management, single sign-on, and multi-factor authentication. F5 BIG-IP APM is praised for its comprehensive access control, scalability, and integration options. Despite the advanced features of both products, F5 BIG-IP APM offers a more extensive feature set.

Room for Improvement: CyberArk Identity users suggest enhancements in integration with third-party applications, more detailed documentation, and additional customization options. F5 BIG-IP APM users look for improved user experience, reduced complexity in configuration, and enhanced reporting capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: CyberArk Identity is commended for its straightforward deployment process and responsive customer support. F5 BIG-IP APM, while powerful, is noted to have a more complex deployment process and mixed reviews on customer service effectiveness. Users tend to find CyberArk Identity easier to deploy with better support experiences.

Pricing and ROI: CyberArk Identity is viewed positively for its cost-effectiveness and satisfactory return on investment. F5 BIG-IP APM has higher upfront costs, but users believe its extensive capabilities justify the expense over time. This indicates CyberArk Identity’s clear advantage in pricing, while F5 BIG-IP APM is endorsed for long-term value through its advanced features.

To learn more, read our detailed CyberArk Identity vs. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

CyberArk Identity vs. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

October 2024

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Categories and Ranking

CyberArk Identity

Ranking in Access Management

9th

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Authentication Systems (9th), Identity Management (IM) (13th), Authorization Software (4th), Enterprise Password Managers (9th), User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) (9th), Active Directory Management (11th), Cloud Resource Access Management (2nd), Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) (5th)

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Man...

Ranking in Access Management

10th

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Secure Web Gateways (SWG) (20th), Network Access Control (NAC) (7th), SSL VPN (5th), Remote Access (13th)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Access Management category, the mindshare of CyberArk Identity is 2.7%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is 3.2%, down from 3.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Access Management

Featured Reviews

Avinash Gopu.

Associate VP & Cyber Security Specialist at US Bank

Feb 29, 2024

Allows Linux and Unix administrators to login with single password

The solution helps with auditing, and monitoring, and integrates with Splunk for log analysis. User activity logs are captured in CyberArk Identity and sent to external tools like Splunk for analysis and monitoring. It is integrated with tools like Splunk and Dynatrace for the analysis of risk behavior and user activity. The pushing teams receive automated reports to assess factors such as login times and server activity in the last 60 days. The licensing for IAM and PAM tools is based on headcount and usage. Users who are not actively utilizing the resources may have their access revoked. This approach helps manage budgeting and reduces the risk impact on the organization by implementing protocols to mitigate threats.

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Ashish Kumar Rai

Associate Network Engineer at a computer software company with 11-50 employees

Mar 18, 2024

Offers remote access control, good GUI and easy to configure

The use case depends entirely on the client's specific requirements. We configure the APM accordingly. For instance, in some scenarios, we've used F5 for VPN purposes. In others, we've deployed F5 BIG-IP primarily as a load balancer. The choice depends on the enterprise's needs. They might want…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"CyberArk Identity is a mature product."

"The integration capabilities, ability to integrate CyberArk into the overall IBB strategy of our current clients."

"The feature that we find most valuable is the ability to integrate multiple IDs for on-premises Active Directory."

"The user identification is simplified, and managing user privileges, whether adding or revoking them, is also quite straightforward when utilizing CyberArk SaaS."

"If anyone makes an error, or if an incident occurs by accident, the business will not be harmed as a result of this activity."

"The most valuable feature of CyberArk Identity is the adaptive interface."

"The user self-service program and the Office 365 provisioning service feature are the most valuable. It is a very easy and feature-rich solution that gives priority to the users and security."

"The tool is a very strong and valuable enterprise solution, particularly in ensuring the continuity of service."

More CyberArk Identity pros

"The load balancing features are valuable."

"Stickiness is the most valuable feature of the product."

"We have seen a return on investment from F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager. It provided access at a time when we didn't have it."

"Our customers have never complained about the stability"

"Our organization is small - a college with about 3,500 students. We use F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager to protect our site, especially from the Iranian attacks we faced last year. We restrict access to only inside the country."

"The tool is reliable and easy to configure."

"This is a product that is easy to install and integrate, and it is simple to use."

"The portal access was very good."

More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) pros

Cons

"In terms of a governance platform, it's worth noting that CyberArk doesn't offer a particularly strong one."

"I'm not sure what needs improvement. It is a good platform."

"They can include the Mobile Device Management (MDM) feature."

"The tool has issues with the third-party SMS gateway. The solution has its own SMS gateway. Integration support is a challenge when we don’t use their SMS gateway. The tool also needs to improve its scalability."

"The OpenID features could improve in CyberArk Identity."

"At the moment CyberArk needs to enrich Conjur and it needs to be made more viable so that its adoption can be made much faster."

"They could improve their UI and make everything more user-friendly."

"In terms of general user feedback, the more security you put in front of a user, the more they complain. So usability and the user experience are always a challenge. So there's always room for improvement."

More CyberArk Identity cons

"The solution is quite costly."

"Regarding price, I'm not directly involved in purchasing, but our CIO thinks the product is very expensive. He's considering moving from the tool to Citrix NetScaler WAF because it's cheaper, and we already have Citrix for VDI. We got NetScaler almost free as part of our VDI deal. Three years ago, I convinced him to use the solution because it's better, but now, with budget constraints, he may want to switch."

"I'd suggest improved documentation integration directly within the GUI. Right now, finding comprehensive documentation often requires going to external websites like the community portal."

"We do not have knowledgeable support teams locally."

"F5 BIG-IP APM disconnects when you leave it for long enough, but that is natural for IT solutions to do. That's a little bit frustrating."

"Integrating identity providers and single sign-on solutions can simplify user authentication and access control."

"F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager has room for improvement in integration with other products."

"The initial setup was complex."

More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Their pricing is obviously a lot higher than many vendors in the marketplace but their service is also unmatched."

"CyberArk Identity is an expensive solution."

"In terms of pricing, BeyondTrust and CyberArk tend to be more expensive, with CyberArk receiving an eight out of ten, in this regard."

"The pricing of CyberArk Identity is competitive."

"There is an initial license and then there is a subscription needed."

"The solution is cheap and I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."

"It's not that affordable compared to Delinea or other products. They're less expensive and allow more customization. For the cost, it is expensive."

"We find that the pricing and licensing of this solution is adequate, as compared to the other competitors in the market."

More CyberArk Identity pricing and cost advice

"The tool is a little bit expensive."

"I rate the tool's pricing an eight out of ten."

"The product is very expensive."

"Recently, they have simplified the licensing"

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Insurance Company

Financial Services Firm

14%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about CyberArk Identity?

The integration capabilities, ability to integrate CyberArk into the overall IBB strategy of our current clients.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for CyberArk Identity?

I think it is a fairly priced tool. I rate the tool between six and seven on a scale of one to ten where one is expensive, and ten is cheap.

See all answers

What needs improvement with CyberArk Identity?

At the moment CyberArk needs to enrich Conjur and it needs to be made more viable so that its adoption can be made much faster.

See all answers

What do you like most about F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)?

In my opinion, the GUI is perfect with the configuration options provided. F5 BIG-IP has given customization options and policy configuration tools in the GUI. It's good and good enough to work.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)?

I rate the tool's pricing an eight out of ten.

See all answers

What needs improvement with F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)?

Regarding price, I'm not directly involved in purchasing, but our CIO thinks the product is very expensive. He's considering moving from the tool to Citrix NetScaler WAF because it's cheaper, and w...

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Intune vs CyberArk Identity

Compared 23% of the time

CyberArk Privileged Access Manager vs CyberArk Identity

Compared 17% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs CyberArk Identity

Compared 16% of the time

SailPoint Identity Security Cloud vs CyberArk Identity

Compared 10% of the time

Ping Identity Platform vs CyberArk Identity

Compared 5% of the time

More CyberArk Identity Competitors

Citrix Gateway vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

Compared 12% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

Compared 10% of the time

CyberArk Privileged Access Manager vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

Compared 7% of the time

Aruba ClearPass vs F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

Compared 5% of the time

More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

CyberArk Identity

November 2024

Download CyberArk Identity product report

Buyer's Guide

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

November 2024

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) report

Download F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) product report

Also Known As

Idaptive

F5 Access Policy Manager

Learn More

CyberArk

Overview

CyberArk Identity is a versatile identity management solution suitable for a wide range of enterprises. It is designed to enhance enterprise security and improve user experience. Its focus on security, compliance, and operational efficiency, combined with positive user feedback, makes it a strong contender in the identity management space.

CyberArk Identity offers a robust suite of features to manage user identities and access privileges. It focuses on securing access to resources across various environments, including cloud and on-premises applications. Its capabilities include single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), lifecycle management, and privileged access management. These features are engineered to streamline access control, enhance security, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies user access by providing a single authentication point for multiple applications.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification methods.
Lifecycle Management automates user account provisioning and deprovisioning, aligning with HR processes and compliance requirements.
Privileged Access Management secures and monitors access to critical systems and data by privileged users.

According to our user interviews, CyberArk Identity is praised for its reliability and user-friendly interface. IT professionals highlight the ease of integration with existing systems, while business executives appreciate the visibility it provides into access and identity management across the organization. Users also commend the responsive customer support, which is crucial for enterprise-level solutions.

IT Professionals found that CyberArk Identity's focus on multi-layered security significantly reduced the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. With a centralized dashboard and automation features, you can streamline identity and access management tasks, saving time and reducing complexity. Finally, it helps meet various compliance requirements.

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is an access management proxy solution for managing global access to the enterprise networks, cloud providers, applications, and application programming interfaces (APIs). Through a single management interface, BIG-IP APM consolidates remote, mobile, network, virtual, and web access.

BIG-IP APM can also serve as a bridge between modern and classic authentication and authorization protocols and methods. For applications which are unable to support modern authentication and authorization protocols, like SAML and OAuth with OIDC, but which do support classic authentication methods, BIG-IP APM converts user credentials to the appropriate authentication standard supported by the application.

BIG-IP APM Benefits:

Ease of use
Flexibility
Ability to integrate with other systems
Security features
Granular access control
Responsive and helpful support team

BIG-IP APM Features:

Support for Identity Aware Proxy (IAP) enabling Zero Trust application access
Context-based authorization with dynamic L4/L7 ACLs
Integration with third-party MFA solutions
DTLS 2.0 mode for delivering and securing applications
SAML 2.0 identity federation support
Support for OAuth 2.0 authorization protocol
SSO support for classic authentication (Kerberos, header- based, etc.), credential caching, OAuth 2.0, SAML 2.0, and FIDO2 (U2F)
AAA server authentication and high-availability
Integration with leading IAM vendor products (Microsoft, Okta, Ping Identity)
BIG IP Edge Client and F5 Access integrate with VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune and IBM MaaS360
Risk-based access leveraging third-party UEBA and risk engines (HTTP Connector)

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by BIG-IP APM users.

Mahmmoud Rabie, Senior Site Reliability Engineer, writes that BIG-IP APM is "A highly stable solution for load balancing, but the initial setup is complex."

Clyde Livingston, Senior Process Specialist at Telstra, says that BIG-IP APM is "Easy to use, useful access remotely, but lacking stability."

Chris Lam, Senior Solution Consultant at Macroview Telecom Limited, states that BIG-IP APM is "Useful for remote access VPN and VPI integration with VMware.

Sample Customers

MLB, Citi, Pfizer, SulAmerica, GE Capital, Shiseido

City Bank, Ricacorp Properties, Miele, American Systems, Bangladesh Post Office

Buyer's Guide

CyberArk Identity vs. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

October 2024

Free Report: CyberArk Identity vs. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)

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