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Microsoft Entra External ID 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

Microsoft Entra External ID
Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)
13th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) (7th), Microsoft Security Suite (26th)
SailPoint Identity Security...
Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
70
Ranking in other categories
User Provisioning Software (1st), Identity Management (IM) (2nd), SaaS Management Platforms (2nd), Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Entra External ID is 1.7%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SailPoint Identity Security Cloud is 11.0%, up from 9.4% 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

Corrado Vigano - PeerSpot reviewer
Solution integrates well with existing systems while being easy to use
The fact that it is quite integrated into the entire Microsoft environment makes it quite easy to use. Furthermore, Microsoft's reliability in providing a clear roadmap for the solution is very important, especially at a time when cybersecurity is a risk in every company. The solution is easy to reuse and not difficult to find expertise for in the market because it is widespread. It is gaining attention even from partners and from the market on the offering side. This serves as a good starting point for customers who can develop internal competence on the solution. Additionally, the presence of reliable partners who know the solution and can provide internal knowledge is the best aspect for them.
Praveen Jalumuru - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced automation and AI-driven integration offer significant time savings
The most valuable features include its ability to integrate with AI and machine learning, the automation of reports, and the built-in connectors that enable easy connection with both legacy and cloud-based applications. Its code-less drag-and-drop functionality allows for easier adjustments, and it provides strong support with reduced SLAs compared to SailPoint IQ.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature for me is the firewall capabilities."
"The most valuable feature for me is the firewall capabilities."
"I have not encountered any stability issues with Microsoft Entra External ID."
"The single sign-on access is the most useful feature we use."
"It's quite easy to manage and monitor."
"It's similar to using a Microsoft account to create accounts on other websites. We are also using Microsoft Entra to monitor which applications our guests are using. This allows us to filter, block, or adjust permissions for these applications as needed for our collaborators."
"The fact that it is quite integrated into the entire Microsoft environment makes it quite easy to use."
"The most beneficial feature for us is the ease of setup. With about five clicks, we can generate unique IDs and keys and set up in less than 30 minutes. We can also generate these for multiple years simultaneously, which is convenient."
"Provides functionalities for various stages, such as joiner, mover, and leaver"
"The tool is quite stable and user-friendly."
"The solution is pretty stable and simple to use."
"The tool's GUI is user-friendly."
"The solution is one of the main security products you need to control access and have visibility into what's happening in your organization. It helps with managing access to applications, ensuring governance, and obtaining certifications."
"The big one now is that they're adding AI and machine learning to figure out automated approvals and make recommendations to their reviewers. So, if I bring up Doug McPherson and it says he has access to this application, the system will make a review based on peer group analysis. That's one of the biggest new things. The problem used to be that people would get everything loaded on, and they created too much work for themselves. Now, they can use these policies and start to let the machine pick the less risky things."
"The customer service is excellent, with quick response times and comprehensive support from the SailPoint team."
"The most valuable features of SailPoint IdentityIQ are the reporting because it is better than other solutions. The workflows can be customized to our requirements and the overall features are good."
 

Cons

"A common concern among the customers I visit is the unpredictability of Microsoft's costs at every renewal. This is really bothersome for the customer, and I would say it is the worst element I have seen in these years."
"I would like to see faster synchronization."
"The quality of Microsoft customer support varies. With an enterprise contract, good resources are usually provided, especially in regions like Saudi Arabia or UAE. However, we have faced challenges with support quality, especially in some subcontinent areas where the resources might not be as experienced."
"Microsoft's pricing is complex and difficult to fathom due to a range of different licensing options."
"There is room for improvement in AI technology for Microsoft Entra External ID, particularly in providing detailed alerts."
"Technical support needs improvement."
"The problem with Microsoft products is that they often cater to enterprise-level needs, which can be too costly for medium-sized businesses."
"Single sign-on for external applications such as Oracle could be improved to be a little bit cheaper."
"There is a need for further enhancements, specifically in the multifactor authentication capabilities."
"When it comes to queries and analysis, I find the reporting module to be very low, very simple."
"Regarding the scope for improvement in the solution, reporting is an area that can be a bit more UI-oriented."
"Finding integration experts for SailPoint in the North American market can be challenging, and transitioning to a no-code or low-code setup could reduce dependence on specialized skills."
"Scalability is hard, especially when you are doing it in real time."
"The product has poor reporting and analytic capabilities. Reports are not easy to use and its analytic capabilities are limited."
"The pricing could be improved."
"There are more functionalities in the Cloud that could be explored."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We don't pay separately for Microsoft Entra External ID as it's part of our Microsoft Exchange subscription."
"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."
"The price of the solution could improve, it is not priced well for smaller businesses to afford."
"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."
"They are expensive."
"Usually, the cost of deploying about 5,000 licenses or 5,000 users, would be the equivalent to the cost of the license, which would be reaching up to around $90,000."
"The solution is not cheap."
"I found the pricing to be relatively high."
"We pay an annual licensing cost for SailPoint IdentityIQ."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Government
7%
Financial Services Firm
18%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Insurance Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Entra External ID?
The cost can be a factor for Microsoft Entra External ID, but in general, it offers a scalable and efficient solution compared to deploying individual solutions.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Entra External ID?
Some areas where Microsoft Entra External ID could improve include cost and enhanced security for integration with federated logins like LinkedIn and Gmail.
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Entra External ID?
I am working on a project for a university where we are trying to create a digital twin of a coral reef restoration project in Saudi Arabia. This involves using a big data platform and developing a...
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 do you like most about SailPoint IdentityIQ?
The first valuable feature of the solution is its interface. The second feature of the solution is the level of flexibility it provides.
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.
 

Also Known As

Azure Active Directory External Identities
IdentityIQ, IdentityNow, Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management, Intello
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
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 Microsoft Entra External ID vs. SailPoint Identity Security Cloud and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
845,485 professionals have used our research since 2012.