

AWS IAM Identity Center and Microsoft Entra External ID are identity and access management solutions. AWS IAM Identity Center is noted for its pricing and support, while Microsoft Entra External ID stands out with advanced features.
Features: AWS IAM Identity Center supports seamless AWS service integration, centralized identity management, and multi-factor authentication. Microsoft Entra External ID provides advanced security like conditional access policies, integration beyond Azure, and versatility in hybrid environments.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: AWS IAM Identity Center offers straightforward deployment in AWS with responsive support. Microsoft Entra External ID, though more complex, offers extensive documentation and support for diverse cloud integration.
Pricing and ROI: AWS IAM Identity Center has competitive pricing with lower setup costs, favorable for AWS-centric operations. Microsoft Entra External ID requires higher investment but justifies it with comprehensive features and security, providing significant ROI for complex identity management needs.
The return on investment includes operational efficiency gains, security risk reduction, compliance with regulations, improved user experience, productivity benefits, reduced overhead, and better security posture.
We have achieved significant time efficiencies with AWS IAM Identity Center.
It has led to cost savings as well as time savings because I can use a single solution for all applications.
Companies can leverage it for setting up external identities without needing to develop their own solutions.
In terms of return on investment, prior to using this product, our company managed our own mail server with all internal authentication happening on premises, resulting in a ROI in the thousands every year.
AWS provides immediate solutions and assistance whenever needed, especially if issues arise that cannot be handled internally.
They are prompt, keep you updated, and provide excellent assistance.
AWS offers better assistance plans for their services.
Companies without a Microsoft license for Entra ID or Azure portal cannot add Azure AD B2C, creating logistical issues for some of my clients who are unable to evaluate the platform.
The support for business applications, infrastructure support, and Entra has been mostly positive with highly skilled technicians.
The documentation is very thorough, reducing the need for support.
AWS Identity Center successfully supports scalable deployments, allowing additional resources as the company grows.
The scalability of AWS IAM Identity Center is excellent.
It can handle both a small number of users and a bigger number of users efficiently.
This is one of EID's weak points compared to Azure AD B2C, which offers customizable authentication options, including attribute and password combinations.
End-user workloads experience increased latency in a cloud environment compared to on-premises resources.
Microsoft Entra External ID is quite scalable, and I would rate its scalability between eight and nine out of ten.
There can be issues if there is an outage on AWS's side, which could prevent logging in because your region might be down, affecting the Identity Center's availability.
It offers 99.96% uptime.
Stability-wise, it is functioning well without any outages or crashes.
I'd rate the stability of the Microsoft Entra External ID as a 10.
The stability of this solution is very good.
I have not encountered any stability issues with Microsoft Entra External ID.
Having a lot of users on one instance is hard to configure, so I hope for more flexibility and ease in configuration.
Enhancements could include automation tools or a centralized dashboard for managing roles and policies across multiple accounts, simplifying the process.
When configuring it with third-party tools, like Active Directory, the naming convention of permission sets requires careful attention, which can be confusing.
This is particularly challenging during enterprise agreement renewals, as it's difficult for customers to review costs leading to lengthy negotiations.
Enhanced customizable login options and the ability to use attribute password logins are critical features that are required for Microsoft Entra External ID to gain dominance in the authentication market.
I would like to see a more detailed alert system that provides a summary of why alerts are generated, who is generating them, and the reasons behind it.
AWS IAM Identity Center is available as a free service by default.
It is not that expensive, rated at three out of ten for costs.
Pricing for AWS IAM Identity Center is very affordable, rated at two out of ten with one being cheap.
Regarding pricing, the cost seems high for single sign-on, especially for external applications like Oracle.
Microsoft's pricing is complex and difficult to fathom due to a range of different licensing options.
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.
It provides the least privilege-based access control, which limits users to only the operations they need to perform without interfering with unrelated configurations.
These features allow for excellent micro-level control over resources, ensuring specific permissions are granted.
Its valuable features include granular access control, allowing precise control over who can access specific AWS resources and under what conditions using JSON-based policies.
It is crucial for hybrid environments, especially for integrating existing on-site infrastructures with cloud-based Active Directory, such as in Office 365 implementations.
EID unifies workforce users with external business partners, which is a very strong feature.
The detailed monitoring and reporting in Microsoft Entra External ID support compliance efforts effectively.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| AWS IAM Identity Center | 1.5% |
| Microsoft Entra External ID | 1.9% |
| Other | 96.6% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 3 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 4 |
| Large Enterprise | 4 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 9 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 6 |
AWS IAM Identity Center provides centralized identity management, permission sets for role creation, and structured access, offering single sign-on and multi-factor authentication while integrating with AWS and third-party apps.
IAM Identity Center offers granular control and flexibility through JSON and attribute-based policies. It facilitates single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and integrates seamlessly with AWS and third-party applications. By utilizing existing templates, it streamlines permissions allocation. Some users note a lack of clarity in the interface and challenges in integrating with third-party tools, particularly with naming conventions in permission sets. There are requests for enhanced policy visualization, debugging tools, and better documentation on temporary access credentials.
What are the key features of AWS IAM Identity Center?AWS IAM Identity Center is deployed widely for identity management, centralized access, and role-based control. Enterprises manage IAM over multiple AWS accounts and integrate it with systems like Azure AD. It allows setting permissions for DevOps and security teams, ensuring tailored access and limited privilege credentials for testing and deployment.
Microsoft Entra External ID provides streamlined identity management with features like Active Directory integration, multi-factor authentication, and centralized user management, supporting both B2C and B2E needs. It's designed to enhance security while simplifying access management across applications.
Microsoft Entra External ID enhances identity management by offering easy setup, robust monitoring, and centralized user management. It supports compliance with comprehensive reporting and integrates seamlessly with Azure. While it facilitates cross-company collaboration, user lifecycle management, and B2B guest access, users note the need for improved technical support, faster synchronization speeds, and more customizable interfaces. Integration with open-source software, legacy tools, and ERP systems is advised along with a more predictable pricing model and improved federated login security. Current licensing complexity and the need for more user-friendly interfaces are areas for development.
What are the most important features?In sectors like IT, finance, and healthcare, Microsoft Entra External ID is utilized for managing complex access needs and compliance requirements, supporting projects involving Active Directory, Microsoft Teams, and cloud-based infrastructures. These industries leverage its capabilities for managing identities and improving secure collaboration while ensuring alignment with existing on-premises systems.
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