Top 12 Privileged Access Management Software Solutions in 2026

If you run IT or security in the mid‑market, privileged access is one of those problems you can ignore… right up until you can’t.

• Someone has local admin “temporarily” (for the last 18 months)
• A shared password exists because the service can’t go down
• A vendor needs access “for five minutes”
• An auditor asks: “Who has admin rights, and how do you prove it?”

PAM is supposed to reduce that risk. But some tools can also slow teams down or create gaps if they’re poorly implemented. 

This guide is written for mid‑market IT and security leaders who want a practical way to compare options.

See the shortlist before the full breakdown

If you want the quick version first, here are the 12 leading PAM platforms in 2026 and what they are actually best suited for.

1. Heimdal
Best for mid-market teams that want unified privilege control across endpoints and credentials without deploying a heavy enterprise stack.

2. CyberArk
A mature, enterprise-focused platform with deep vaulting and session control, often best suited for large and highly regulated environments.

3. BeyondTrust
Strong in complex infrastructures, particularly where UNIX/Linux support and remote access are key priorities.

4. Delinea (Secret Server)
Known for solid usability and strong Unix/Linux privilege management, though often modular and add-on driven.

5. ManageEngine PAM360
A cost-conscious option with strong discovery capabilities and broad baseline PAM coverage.

6. Microsoft Entra ID
Well suited for Microsoft-heavy environments that want identity-first access control with optional governance layers.

7. Okta Privileged Access
Cloud-native and identity-driven, ideal for teams already invested in the Okta ecosystem.

8. JumpCloud
A directory and IAM platform with PAM-adjacent capabilities, attractive for lean IT teams managing users and devices together.

9. WALLIX Bastion
Focused on privileged account and session management, with strong session monitoring and EMEA presence.

10. miniOrange PAM
Flexible and cost-effective across hybrid environments, though advanced features may require higher tiers.

11. ARCON PAM
Strong password vaulting and auditing capabilities, often favored in APAC and EMEA markets.

12. One Identity Safeguard
Designed to tie PAM closely to identity governance, though full functionality may require additional modules.

Quick glossary (only what you actually need)

Vendors aren’t consistent about naming features, which makes comparisons painful. 

Here are the terms you’ll see most often:

• PASM (Privileged Account & Session Management): The core PAM set with policies and controls for access, credentials, and sessions. 
• PEDM (Privilege Elevation & Delegation Management): Controls just‑in‑time / time‑bound elevation to prevent privilege creep and standing privileges. 
• Secrets Management: Secure storage/rotation for passwords, keys, API tokens. 
• CIEM (Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management): Visibility and control for cloud entitlements and privileged identities. 

Most vendors bundle “traditional PASM” in a core product, then sell PEDM/SM/CIEM as add‑ons or separate modules, so total cost and complexity can rise fast. 

How to use this list (so it’s actually helpful)

Don’t treat this like a beauty contest.

Start with two questions:

1. Where is your biggest privilege risk today? Endpoints? Shared admin accounts? Vendor access? Cloud roles?
2. How much operational overhead can you tolerate? Some platforms are powerful but heavy.

Each vendor below includes:

• Best for (plain‑English fit)
• Why teams pick it
• Watch‑outs (honest pain points)

Best PAM tools on the market

Heimdal - best for unified control without a giant PAM project

Best for: Mid‑market teams who want PAM + application control + endpoint privilege control in one place.

Why teams pick it: Heimdal’s PAM combines access management, privileged account/session management, and application control, with an emphasis on least privilege and just‑in‑time access. 

Notable capabilities (highlights):

• Role‑based privilege management (PoLP)
• Just‑in‑Time elevation (time‑bound access)
• Credential vault (PASM)
• Reporting and compliance support (e.g., Cyber Essentials, NIS2, HIPAA, PCI‑DSS, ISO 27001) 
• Threat‑responsive rights management (auto de‑escalation on threat detection when paired with Heimdal’s Next‑Gen AV) 

Watch‑outs: Some reviewers mention that initial deployment and policy configuration can take time, particularly in larger or more complex environments.

A few users note a learning curve when first navigating the interface and setting up granular privilege rules.

Pricing: Get your Heimdal pricing from this calculator

JumpCloud (Directory Platform) - best for lean teams who want “good enough” PAM + directory

Best for: Mid‑market orgs that want IAM + device/user management with PAM‑adjacent controls in a single platform.

Why teams pick it: Strong single sign‑on / IAM experience and easy user/device management; often praised for usability. 

Watch‑outs: Limited Mac MDM depth and less extensive technical documentation; some users want better tracking/auditing/reporting. 

Pricing: Sliding scale; individual features ~$2–$5/user/month; core directory ~$11/user/month; higher tier ~$18/user/month (billed annually). Free tier supports up to 10 users/devices.

CyberArk (Privileged Access Manager) - best for enterprises or highly regulated environments

Best for: Larger organizations that need broad PAM coverage (vaulting, secrets, CIEM, etc.) and can handle complexity.

Why teams pick it: Mature platform with broad features and large ecosystem/integrations; includes JIT/“just enough” concepts and more. 

Watch‑outs: Complexity, upgrades/management overhead, and confusion across overlapping products are common complaints; some legacy capabilities (like privileged session management) are cited as lagging competitors. Pricing is frequently considered top‑end. 

Pricing: Not publicly published; reviews consistently place it among the most expensive (one cited estimate: ~22% above average).

ManageEngine PAM360 - best for budget‑sensitive teams that still want discovery

Best for: Mid‑market orgs that want PAM discovery capabilities and lower‑than‑average pricing (per market perception).

Why teams pick it: Strong discovery (privileged users/service accounts across systems); pricing generally considered less than market average. 

Watch‑outs: Full session functionality may depend on resource‑heavy HTML5 browser session emulation. 

Pricing: Not publicly published; quotes/demos required.

miniOrange: Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Best for: Orgs wanting a broad set of PAM features and flexible deployment across cloud/on‑prem/hybrid.

Why teams pick it: Includes JIT access, session monitoring, MFA, password rotation, and integrations with SIEM/IAM/ITSM; often positioned as cost‑effective. 

Watch‑outs: Some advanced features require higher tiers; complex customization may require extra implementation support. The article also notes PEDM may be less extensive and wider functionality (secrets/CIEM) may lag competitors. 

Pricing: Based on number of admin/end‑user accounts; billing monthly/quarterly/annually.

BeyondTrust (Total PASM) - best for large environments needing strong UNIX/Linux + remote access

Best for: Enterprises with complex needs, especially where UNIX/Linux support and discovery matter.

Why teams pick it: Global reach, strong UNIX/Linux support, and ease of use in discovery are often cited. 

Watch‑outs: Multiple products can increase complexity and cost; pricing generally top‑end; some key features (SSO/MFA/PEDM) aren’t included in the “Total PASM” bundle and may require additional tools. 

Pricing: Not publicly published.

Okta Privileged Access - best for cloud‑native teams already living in Okta

Best for: Cloud‑native organizations that already use Okta and want to extend identity into privileged access.

Why teams pick it: Integrates well with other Okta tools; onboarding/offboarding is comparatively easy due to automation. 

Watch‑outs: Auditing/compliance capabilities are cited as weaker than competitors; resource‑based pricing can be hard to understand; permissions are team‑based rather than individual‑granular, limiting control. 

Pricing: Listed as ~$14 per resource unit/month.

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) - best for Microsoft‑heavy environments that want a starting point

Best for: Organizations already deep in Microsoft 365/Windows/Azure that need baseline identity + access control.

Why teams pick it: Strong integrations with Microsoft stack; free tier exists; conditional access/MFA/password management are commonly valued. 

Watch‑outs: Feature tiers can be confusing; UI is sometimes cited as less straightforward; it’s an extension of Microsoft identity tooling, so non‑Microsoft environments may find it less useful. 

Pricing: Free; P1 ~$6/user/month; P2 ~$9/user/month; Governance add‑on listed at $7/user/month.

WALLIX Bastion - best for PASM coverage with competitive positioning in EMEA

Best for: Organizations prioritizing PASM features (session monitoring/auditing) and ease of use.

Why teams pick it: Wide PASM capabilities and an intuitive UI are commonly cited. 

Watch‑outs: Limited password rotation for many machine/service accounts; customer base largely EMEA; lacks CIEM discovery for scanning privileged cloud entitlements. 

Pricing: Not publicly published (vendor describes options); also purchasable via cloud marketplaces.

Delinea Secret Server - best for strong Unix/Linux PEDM + good UX (with module sprawl)

Best for: Teams wanting solid UX and strong Unix/Linux PEDM, and willing to navigate multiple modules.

Why teams pick it: Strong Unix/Linux PEDM is a frequent highlight; customers generally note a smooth user experience. 

Watch‑outs: Overlapping products can confuse buyers and increase costs; some functionality (like CIEM and RDP session management) may require additional tools/configuration. 

Pricing: Not public; reviews often place it among the more expensive options (one cited estimate: ~26% above average). 

ARCON PAM - best for strong password vaulting + auditing (especially in APAC/EMEA)

Best for: Organizations prioritizing password vaulting/rotation and audit trails.

Why teams pick it: Strong password management capabilities (vault + frequent changes) and detailed audit trails are emphasized. 

Watch‑outs: UI is commonly cited as less straightforward; customers are primarily APAC/EMEA; multiple product options can create confusion and rising costs. 

Pricing: Not publicly published; Gartner considers pricing competitive (per the article).

One Identity Safeguard - best for a “unified identity” story (but expect add‑ons)

Best for: Medium‑to‑large organizations that want PAM tied closely to identity governance.

Why teams pick it: Emphasis on unified cybersecurity across products; session management, privilege elevation/delegation, and secrets/machine identity appear in its capability list. 

Watch‑outs: No native CIEM; JIT and governance may require additional modules (e.g., Active Roles and IGA tooling). Overlapping products can complicate the stack. 

Pricing: Not publicly published.

Getting the right tools for the job (mid‑market reality)

There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all in cybersecurity. What matters is fit: your requirements, your stack, your team capacity, and how much friction your users will tolerate. 

If you want a simple shortlisting process:

1. Define your “must‑have” outcomes
   • Remove standing admin rights (where possible)
   • Prove “who did what” during privileged sessions
   • Rotate or control privileged credentials
2. Map the tool to your operational constraints
   • If you don’t have a team to run it, don’t buy a tool that requires one.
3. Ask how it integrates with how you already work
   • If it’s out‑of‑band from change/ticketing/monitoring, people will bypass it.