Choosing an IAM/ILM solution is like shopping for a car—except the salesperson speaks in acronyms, the test drive requires a consultant, and somehow you still end up with something that needs custom Java development just to turn on the radio.
Whether you’re currently managing identities with a homemade PowerShell script (we see you, brave soul) or looking to upgrade from your current system, navigating the IAM landscape can feel overwhelming. The good news? We’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
Below, we’ll break down the leading players in the IAM/ILM space—their strengths, their quirks, and why you might want to think twice before committing. We’re not ranking these solutions (because that would start fights), but we are giving you the real talk on what each brings to the table.
Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM)
The veteran that’s seen better days
MIM has been around the block—several times. It’s like that reliable old car that still runs but makes concerning noises and needs constant attention.
The Good:
- “Free” with Entra ID P1/P2 (because nothing says free like having to buy something else first)
- Powerful ECMA2 connectivity – Can integrate with practically anything that has an API (and some things that don’t)
- Robust sync engine – When it works, it really works
- Highly flexible – Which is both a blessing and a curse
The Not-So-Good:
- Complex setup – Requires someone who speaks fluent Microsoft and has patience of a saint
- End of life in 2029 – Microsoft is basically giving you a countdown timer
- Sync-based, not event-driven – Like getting updates via carrier pigeon instead of text
- Custom development needed for Entra ID integration (because why make things easy?)
Okta Lifecycle Management (LCM)
The polished cloud darling
Okta LCM is like the Tesla of IAM—sleek, cloud-native, and beloved by people who like things to just work (mostly).
The Good:
- User-friendly setup – You won’t need a PhD in identity management to get started
- Extensive integration library – Plays nice with most of your existing tools
- Strong governance features – All the IGA capabilities you need without the headaches
- Excellent documentation – Actually helpful guides (revolutionary concept)
- Great audit trails – Because compliance auditors love detailed logs
The Not-So-Good:
- Premium pricing – Your CFO might need a moment to process the quote
- Cloud-only – If you’re married to on-premises, this isn’t your solution
- Limited customization control – You get what Okta prioritizes, not necessarily what you need
- Migration complexity – Moving from legacy systems requires careful choreography
SailPoint IdentityIQ
The enterprise heavyweight
SailPoint is the Swiss Army knife of IAM—incredibly powerful, but you’ll need training to use it without cutting yourself.
The Good:
- IGA powerhouse – If governance is your game, this is your platform
- Universal connectivity – Can integrate with systems you forgot you had
- Active community – Lots of shared connectors and solutions
- Enterprise-grade – Built for organizations that take identity seriously
The Not-So-Good:
- Enterprise-grade pricing – Hope your budget has enterprise-grade flexibility
- Java development required – Simple tasks somehow require complex code
- Steep learning curve – Plan for months, not weeks, of onboarding
- Expensive training – SailPoint’s courses cost more than some college classes
NetIQ Identity Manager
The flexible veteran
NetIQ IDM has been around since 2003—which in tech years makes it practically ancient, but it’s aged surprisingly well.
The Good:
- Custom driver creation – Build integrations for anything (and we mean anything)
- Event-driven architecture – Real-time changes, not batch processing
- Designer tool – Test and deploy without breaking production (imagine that!)
- Battle-tested – Two decades of real-world use
The Not-So-Good:
- Complex implementation – Not for the faint of heart or understaffed teams
- Interface from 2003 – The UI hasn’t exactly kept up with design trends
- Steep learning curve – Expect long onboarding times and lots of coffee
- Specialized expertise required – Good luck finding IDM experts on LinkedIn
Microsoft Entra ID Governance
The ecosystem play
If you’re already in Microsoft’s world, Entra ID Governance feels like the obvious choice—until you see the price tag.
The Good:
- Seamless Microsoft integration – Works beautifully with Office 365 and Azure
- Strong community support – Lots of documentation and community wisdom
- Familiar interface – If you know Microsoft, you know this
- Consolidated management – One platform for multiple identity needs
The Not-So-Good:
- $7 per user per month – That price adds up faster than your coffee budget
- Limited filtering capabilities – Dynamic groups hit walls that other platforms don’t
- Navigation complexity – Finding what you need can feel like a treasure hunt
- Microsoft ecosystem lock-in – Great if you love Microsoft, limiting if you don’t
The Plot Twist: Why We Built Adcyma
After working with all these platforms (and developing a healthy relationship with espresso), we noticed a pattern. Every single one of these solutions requires specialized knowledge, extensive training, or expensive consultants to implement properly.
We thought, “What if IAM didn’t have to be this complicated?”
That’s why we built Adcyma—to give organizations enterprise-grade identity lifecycle management without the enterprise-grade complexity. No custom Java development, no six-month implementations, no need to become a platform expert just to manage user accounts.
The Bottom Line
Each of these solutions has its place in the market, and the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and tolerance for complexity. But here’s the thing—identity management shouldn’t require a computer science degree to implement.
Ready to see what simplified enterprise IAM looks like? Discover Adcyma and find out why IT teams are choosing simplicity over complexity (and keeping their sanity in the process).