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ACL Analytics vs RSA Archer comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 4, 2025

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

ACL Analytics
Ranking in GRC
5th
Average Rating
9.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
Continuous Controls Monitoring (1st)
RSA Archer
Ranking in GRC
1st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
41
Ranking in other categories
IT Governance (1st), IT Vendor Risk Management (2nd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the GRC category, the mindshare of ACL Analytics is 3.2%, down from 4.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of RSA Archer is 17.4%, up from 17.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
GRC
 

Featured Reviews

Sohail Ahmed - PeerSpot reviewer
Helps to save time and useful for data analytics
The tool's pricing is quite high. When I purchased the software, I constantly contacted the representatives. I requested a single license, but they informed me that only packages of three licenses were available. This made it very difficult for us to manage the cost, especially given the economic challenges in our country. The price of $5,000 is high, and transferring money from one country to another, particularly in dollars, is challenging due to high exchange rates. Although we managed to purchase it then, the lack of a single license option and the high cost were issues. I had trouble getting my issue across when I posted a problem with screenshots on the forum. The support team initially didn't seem to understand my problem and replied with general questions. I had to send more emails to explain it better. I think their support could be better. We expect support people to know the software well and understand our issues.
IMRAN ALMARZOOQI - PeerSpot reviewer
Automates compliance management effectively but needs improved interface and dashboards
The tool basically automates whatever processes you already have, so I cannot specify improvements in that regard. However, my main issue with Archer is the graphics. The graphics have always been lacking. I always need to depend on another tool to read information from Archer to have better dashboards. It is like using Linux, and it has a Linux mindset and interface. I want to use Archer for top management and CEOs, but it looks too technical, and the dashboards are not really friendly. They are bulky, like opening an old Nintendo system from nineteen-ninety. The management agrees that Archer lacks in terms of presentation and dashboarding. It is complex, not user-friendly, and bulky. The interface just looks old.

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 fact that in the duplicate section, I can find matches, and I can find situations where certain cells or certain cell points match, but there's a difference as well between two different records."
"The tool's most valuable feature is its ability to import files from other software packages. Its reporting and visualization capabilities have made our reporting easier. Importing results into spreadsheets or other documents for incorporation into reports is particularly helpful."
"We apply different methods, such as sampling, data manipulation, and sorting. I'm fond of the scripting feature, which automates routine tasks and saves time. It also offers data insights."
"Initial setup is straightforward."
"I recommend ACL Analytics because it makes work easier and is user-friendly."
"The most valuable feature of ACL Analytics is its powerful data control capabilities."
"I rate ACL Analytics nine out of ten."
"It is very flexible and has hundreds of functions."
"The last project was for an investment group that was using Excel. Shifting their records from one position to another took approximately 15 minutes. In Archer, we created a workflow for them to leverage it, and they could send the single record with one click to one person within seconds. The whole process went from 15 minutes to two minutes to get the approval for the records. The main purpose of Archer is to just make it easy."
"The part I liked about Archer was the risk assessment for deficiencies and being able to use it there."
"It is enterprise-wide accessible. So, it is very helpful for all the employees in our bank. They can log in and do their risk management activities. It has a few inbuilt modules that are helpful for doing risk management activities, such as issue management, risk identification, risk assessment, and policy exception management. It also has some inbuilt workflows inside these modules. They are also helpful."
"Archer has simplified our security audits. It's made it easier to raise and trigger questionnaires to customers."
"The solution has improved my organization by having everything combined to a single platform."
"Solution is scalable."
"RSA Archer has reduced the time and effort required for meetings."
"Easy to implement with a high level of automation."
 

Cons

"The product's pricing has increased over the years."
"It would be beneficial if the software could improve its capabilities when extracting data from databases, particularly for those who may not be familiar with SQL queries."
"​Reporting and presentation of information directly to solutions, such as PowerPoint.​"
"The tool's pricing is quite high. When I purchased the software, I constantly contacted the representatives. I requested a single license, but they informed me that only packages of three licenses were available. This made it very difficult for us to manage the cost, especially given the economic challenges in our country."
"I believe the formulas and scripting language in ACL Analytics need development to be easier for me to use."
"Currently, the platform is not very comfortable for users coming from a non-technical or non-coding background."
"The visualization capabilities in ACL Analytics need more variety and features."
"The ease of use could be better."
"There should be built-in integration mechanisms, for example, for organizations switching from platforms like ServiceNow to Archer, instead of custom integrations for each client."
"The first improvement I would suggest for RSA Archer is a better search feature. The search criteria needs to be improved. Sometimes I do a search and the search doesn't return the exact item I'm looking for. RSA Archer could also be improved by being more user-friendly. Maybe I have been using a limited version of RSA Archer, but I'm not sure whether it has ESG, environmental and social governance. In the next couple of years, ESG is the next feature that will be integrated into GRC tools. I would recommend RSA Archer adds ESG."
"Some of the error reporting isn't very clear. When you're looking for information on error codes, you got to do a lot of digging."
"Solution could use more inbuilt applications."
"Recently, we made a suggestion for cross references, like for one application to another. There were limitations there, so we're hoping that will be included in the next upgrade."
"The technology's a little outdated."
"The solution as a whole could be simplified."
"The financial area of RSA Archer has room for improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing for me as an individual seems a lot. For our organization, the price is okay. It's about $6,000 a year. I don't know of any additional costs."
"The price of $5,000 is high, and transferring money from one country to another, particularly in dollars, is challenging due to high exchange rates. Although we managed to purchase it then, the lack of a single license option and the high cost were issues."
"The initial purchase is cheap. You pay a nominal price to start then renew the license annually. You also must buy a license for each module. I'm not too fond of that aspect of the licensing model. You buy the elephant and then spend more money to feed the elephant."
"It is not expensive. It is reasonable. We only pay for the licensing."
"The pricing is okay. The licensing costs are very reasonable; it is very affordable to us."
"The license is costly for the solution, but the remaining set up and maintenance is quite cheaper."
"Fairly highly-priced, especially for smaller companies."
"RSA Archer's price is justifiable and not as expensive, compared to ServiceNow. I have heard that the licensing for ServiceNow is much more expensive. I'm unaware whether there are any additional costs after licensing fees."
"The solution is not at all a cheap product."
"The price of the solution is very affordable."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
13%
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
11%
Insurance Company
7%
Educational Organization
43%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about ACL Analytics?
The tool's most valuable feature is its ability to import files from other software packages. Its reporting and visualization capabilities have made our reporting easier. Importing results into spr...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ACL Analytics?
From research, ACL Analytics is quite affordable compared to the market. However, premiums are a little bit expensive, but justifiable given the benefits of the tool.
What needs improvement with ACL Analytics?
Currently, the platform is not very comfortable for users coming from a non-technical or non-coding background. It should be easier to learn for these users. While we had e-learning resources to as...
What do you like most about RSA Archer?
It has various valuable features. For example, showing us if a control aligns with specific standards or frameworks helps us understand it better and verify its compliance.
What needs improvement with RSA Archer?
If the user needs to fill data, they need to go to one page and then to the next page if they can reduce the number of clicks to perform some activities and would like RSA to improve in this area. ...
What is your primary use case for RSA Archer?
I perform all of our information security management governance and risk -related activities through Archer. My organization manages all types of audits and Enterprise risk activities using Archer.
 

Also Known As

ACL
Archer
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Essar Group, Dean Foods, Lafarge North America, Austrian Ministry of Finance
T-Systems, Bridge Point, Equifax, First Data, Global Imaging Company, Manulife Financial
Find out what your peers are saying about ACL Analytics vs. RSA Archer and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.