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CyberArk Identity vs Microsoft Entra External ID comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 27, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
5.1
CyberArk Identity improved security, saved time, and offered over 100% ROI, proving valuable despite some indirect financial results.
Sentiment score
3.6
Users faced challenges with Microsoft Entra External ID but saved costs and time compared to traditional, on-premises solutions.
I have seen over 30% return on investment due to the improvement in operational efficiencies through automation, which enhances productivity.
We've seen a return on investment of more than 100% over the past two to three years.
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.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.7
CyberArk Identity's support is praised for expertise and quick resolution, despite some concerns about response times and product knowledge.
Sentiment score
4.6
Microsoft Entra External ID support varies; response times, documentation, and regional differences affect user satisfaction and solution accessibility.
They resolved the problem immediately after I reported it, on the same day, within one hour.
They respond immediately when requests are raised, and they are always available for priority one tickets.
I would rate technical support for CyberArk Identity a nine out of ten because they are professional, knowledgeable, and resolve queries efficiently when needed.
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.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.2
CyberArk Identity offers scalable and adaptable solutions, but some users face challenges with extensive architectural scaling and performance when scaled.
Sentiment score
6.0
Microsoft Entra External ID offers scalable security for large enterprises, with distinct policies and strong performance despite some latency issues.
We can use it on different phones and computers, demonstrating its scalability.
CyberArk Identity is scalable as needed, but increasing resources affects overall costs.
CyberArk Identity is definitely a scalable solution; it all depends on the money that you have, as with anything else.
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.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
CyberArk Identity is stable with rare downtime, though challenges exist in connectivity and managing various components for global users.
Sentiment score
4.8
Microsoft Entra External ID is highly stable, reliable, and smooth, with minor rare issues, and positive user feedback.
We no longer have our data infiltrated by unauthorized persons, and tracking actions within the system has become very easy.
When you have it in the cloud, you have CyberArk every time you need it.
With a stable network, due to the redundant data centers across the globe, it is a lot easier to use as a SaaS solution.
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.
 

Room For Improvement

CyberArk Identity requires enhancements in integration, scalability, usability, and support, focusing on mobile management, interface, and multifactor authentication.
Microsoft Entra External ID needs improved support, integration, pricing, security, UI, and customization for medium-sized businesses.
Integration or deployment is extremely difficult for CyberArk Identity.
There's a need to enhance network performance.
For CyberArk Identity, you need knowledge of their scripting language to pull different sets of reports.
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.
 

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers find CyberArk Identity's pricing expensive but justified by comprehensive features and unmatched service for large organizations.
Microsoft Entra External ID pricing is complex, potentially costly, but scalable, benefiting from Azure expertise and existing subscriptions.
Regarding pricing, it can be quite a lot for small companies.
The pricing is acceptable.
If I am not going fully cloud, there are additional resources I will need to purchase, such as spinning more VMs or acquiring an HSM device to encrypt the vault.
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.
 

Valuable Features

CyberArk Identity offers seamless integration, strong security, and user-friendly features for enhanced identity protection and operational efficiency.
Microsoft Entra External ID enhances security, management, and user experience through integration, single sign-on, and adaptive authentication features.
It impacts zero trust security strategies. It prevents lateral movements in the organization.
CyberArk Identity is a great solution for overall security posture and privileged identity controls because it has a strong base in securing privileged access and managing identities within our environment.
It is the most powerful access management system.
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.
 

Categories and Ranking

CyberArk Identity
Ranking in Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
28
Ranking in other categories
Authentication Systems (10th), Identity Management (IM) (8th), Authorization Software (3rd), Enterprise Password Managers (6th), User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) (9th), Access Management (6th), Active Directory Management (6th), Cloud Resource Access Management (3rd)
Microsoft Entra External ID
Ranking in Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)
4th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
5.5
Number of Reviews
16
Ranking in other categories
Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (8th), Microsoft Security Suite (21st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) category, the mindshare of CyberArk Identity is 3.6%, down from 3.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Entra External ID is 8.4%, up from 4.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft Entra External ID8.4%
CyberArk Identity3.6%
Other88.0%
Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)
 

Featured Reviews

Jai Anand - PeerSpot reviewer
Has strengthened identity controls and improved regulatory compliance across global operations
The initial deployment is complex and requires many users, making it more suitable for larger enterprises. It requires a number of users to get it deployed, particularly for on-premises deployments. This typically involves a lot of initial planning, setup, and configuration. Another important consideration is the cost. It can be quite expensive, making it more suitable for larger enterprises rather than small businesses or startups. The learning curve is also significant due to the numerous features and configurations available. Some features necessitate a detailed analysis and understanding to effectively work with this solution. Additionally, the user interface needs some improvements. It appears outdated compared to the technology we are using in 2025. The UI seems like it's from the early 2000s, making it look considerably behind the times, about 20 to 25 years old.
Suresh Kumar Subramaniyan - PeerSpot reviewer
Has supported secure access but still lacks full coverage for external identity challenges
The user experience is acceptable, but Microsoft Entra External ID is not a full-fledged IGA solution. We use different products for complete Identity Governance Administration. Microsoft Entra External ID is suitable for small-scale enterprises implementing identity lifecycle management since most have Active Directory. However, there are several challenges. The out-of-the-box connector has limited features for applications, requiring us to build scheme connectors. While small-scale enterprises can benefit from Microsoft Entra External ID's Identity Governance solution, large-scale enterprises might need different tools from leading market vendors such as SailPoint or Saviynt. Customers face particular challenges with contractor and B2B accounts. Microsoft Entra External ID isn't a complete cloud-based account solution, as it must handle internal employees and collaborate with internal Active Directory. There are delays in the identity lifecycle process, especially for contract partners during onboarding and off-boarding. This might be due to back-end syncing with Active Directory. B2B account removal and provisioning take considerable time. Access governance, particularly access certification for guest users, is time-consuming. Multi-factor authentication enforcement also presents challenges for external users.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
15%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Healthcare Company
6%
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise9
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business8
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise6
 

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.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for CyberArk Identity?
I am not certain about CyberArk Identity's exact pricing model. For comparison, Okta was around five dollars per user. CyberArk Identity offers good discounts to some clients, which influences thei...
What needs improvement with CyberArk Identity?
The reporting functionality is somewhat complicated. While I would rate CyberArk Identity and Okta on the same level, Okta's reporting is crisper and clearer. For CyberArk Identity, you need knowle...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Entra External ID?
The only problem that you might face with Microsoft now is their complex licensing model.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Entra External ID?
For the last four or five years, I have been in an IT manager function, focusing on making things happen and having technical persons execute tasks. In the last three months, I have transitioned to...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Entra External ID?
I am looking for a new solution and investigating existing products. We are already working with Microsoft Intune and SOTI. I have been working in the past with a Kaseya product, specifically Datto...
 

Also Known As

Idaptive
Azure Active Directory External Identities
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

MLB, Citi, Pfizer, SulAmerica, GE Capital, Shiseido
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about CyberArk Identity vs. Microsoft Entra External ID and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
868,759 professionals have used our research since 2012.