IAM vs IGA Platforms in 2025: Enterprise Product Comparison, Pricing Models, and Buy vs Subscription Cost Breakdown

Identity has become the new security perimeter in 2025. As enterprises accelerate cloud adoption, remote work, and third-party integrations, controlling who can access what, when, and why is now a board-level concern rather than a purely technical one.

Two identity technologies dominate enterprise security and compliance strategies today: Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA). While often mentioned together, they serve distinct purposes, involve different operational teams, and come with significantly different pricing models.

This in-depth guide compares IAM vs IGA platforms in 2025, focusing on enterprise-grade products, realistic pricing structures, and the financial trade-offs between buying licenses versus subscribing to SaaS solutions. The goal is to help security leaders, IT directors, and compliance teams choose the right identity investment without overspending or overengineering.

Understanding IAM and IGA: Not the Same Problem

What IAM Platforms Do

IAM platforms focus on real-time access control. Their core mission is to authenticate users and enforce access policies across applications, systems, and data.

Typical IAM capabilities include:

• Single Sign-On (SSO)

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Adaptive and risk-based authentication

• API and service account access

• Customer and workforce identity

IAM platforms operate at the moment of access.

What IGA Platforms Do

IGA platforms focus on identity lifecycle and compliance. They answer governance questions rather than authentication ones.

Typical IGA capabilities include:

• User provisioning and deprovisioning

• Access request workflows

• Periodic access reviews and certifications

• Segregation of Duties (SoD) enforcement

• Audit reporting and compliance evidence

IGA platforms operate before and after access, not during login.

Why Enterprises Need Both

In mature organizations:

• IAM controls how users log in

• IGA controls whether they should have access at all

In 2025, regulators, auditors, and cyber insurers increasingly expect both.

Market Evolution in 2025

IAM Market Trends

IAM platforms have evolved rapidly due to:

• Passwordless authentication adoption

• Zero Trust initiatives

• API-driven cloud architectures

• AI-based risk scoring

Most IAM platforms are now cloud-native SaaS, with per-user subscription pricing.

IGA Market Trends

IGA platforms traditionally lived on-premise and were expensive to operate. In 2025:

• Cloud IGA adoption has accelerated

• SaaS pricing models are replacing perpetual licenses

• Automation and AI-driven access reviews are becoming standard

However, IGA remains costly and complex compared to IAM.

Pricing Models Explained

IAM Pricing Models

Most IAM vendors price based on:

• Number of users (workforce or customer)

• Authentication volume

• Advanced security features (adaptive MFA, device trust)

Typical IAM Cost Range (Enterprise):

• $2–8 per user/month (workforce)

• $0.01–$0.05 per authentication (customer IAM)

IGA Pricing Models

IGA platforms usually price based on:

• Number of managed identities

• Connected applications

• Governance modules (SoD, privileged access oversight)

Typical IGA Cost Range:

• $6–15 per user/month (SaaS)

• $300,000–$1.5M upfront (perpetual license)

Buy vs Subscription: Key Differences

Leading IAM Platforms Compared

1. Okta Workforce Identity

Best for: Cloud-first enterprises

Deployment: SaaS subscription

Key Capabilities:

• SSO and MFA

• Adaptive access policies

• Lifecycle integration

• Large SaaS ecosystem

Pricing (2025 Estimate):

• $4–7 per user/month

• Advanced security add-ons increase cost

Annual Enterprise Cost (20,000 users):

• $1.0M–$1.6M

Strengths:

• Fast deployment

• Mature cloud ecosystem

Limitations:

• Costs scale linearly with users

• Governance features are limited without IGA

2. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)

Best for: Microsoft-centric organizations

Deployment: SaaS subscription

Key Capabilities:

• Identity for workforce and cloud apps

• Conditional access

• Passwordless authentication

Pricing:

• Included in Microsoft enterprise bundles

• Premium tiers add ~$6–9 per user/month

Annual Cost:

• $600,000–$1.2M (enterprise scale)

Strengths:

• Deep Microsoft integration

• Competitive bundled pricing

Limitations:

• Limited non-Microsoft customization

• Governance depth requires add-ons

3. Ping Identity

Best for: Hybrid and complex enterprises

Deployment: SaaS or hybrid

Key Capabilities:

• Workforce and customer IAM

• Strong API security

• Flexible policy engine

Pricing:

• Per user or per authentication

Annual Cost:

• $800,000–$1.5M

Strengths:

• High flexibility

• Strong enterprise support

Limitations:

• More complex to manage

• Higher implementation cost

Leading IGA Platforms Compared

1. SailPoint Identity Security Cloud

Best for: Large regulated enterprises

Deployment: SaaS or hybrid

Key Capabilities:

• Identity lifecycle automation

• Access certifications

• SoD enforcement

• AI-driven recommendations

Pricing:

• $9–15 per identity/month

Annual Cost (25,000 users):

• $2.7M–$4.5M

Strengths:

• Industry-leading governance depth

• Strong audit support

Limitations:

• High cost

• Long implementation cycles

2. Saviynt Enterprise Identity Cloud

Best for: Compliance-heavy industries

Deployment: SaaS

Key Capabilities:

• Fine-grained access modeling

• ERP and cloud governance

• Advanced analytics

Pricing:

• Modular, per identity

Annual Cost:

• $2.0M–$3.8M

Strengths:

• Strong SoD modeling

• Flexible workflows

Limitations:

• Steep learning curve

• Requires skilled administrators

3. One Identity Manager

Best for: Hybrid legacy environments

Deployment: On-prem or hybrid

Key Capabilities:

• User provisioning

• Role management

• Audit reporting

Pricing:

• Perpetual license + maintenance

Upfront Cost:

• $500,000–$1.2M

• Ongoing maintenance ~20% annually

Strengths:

• On-prem control

• Mature role management

Limitations:

• High operational overhead

• Slower innovation pace

Cost Scenarios: Real-World Comparisons

Scenario 1: Cloud-First Tech Company

• IAM only (Okta or Entra ID)

• Annual cost: ~$900,000

Outcome: Fast deployment, minimal compliance overhead

Scenario 2: Financial Institution

• IAM + IGA (Ping + SailPoint)

• Annual cost: ~$4.5M

Outcome: Strong audit readiness, high cost

Scenario 3: Manufacturing Enterprise

• Entra ID + Saviynt

• Annual cost: ~$2.8M

Outcome: Balanced governance and access control

Hidden Costs Often Overlooked

• Professional services for IGA deployment

• Role engineering and cleanup

• Ongoing access review operations

• Change management and training

• Integration with HR and ERP systems

IGA tools, in particular, often cost 2–3x more than initial estimates over five years.

When IAM Alone Is Enough

IAM without IGA may be sufficient if:

• Organization has low regulatory pressure

• Workforce size is stable

• Limited internal access complexity

• Cloud-native applications dominate

When IGA Becomes Mandatory

IGA is essential if your organization:

• Faces SOX, GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO audits

• Manages thousands of internal roles

• Has frequent joiner/mover/leaver events

• Operates ERP or financial systems

Buy vs Subscription: Long-Term Economics

Over a 5-year period:

• Subscription IAM is usually cheaper and more flexible

• On-prem IGA may appear cheaper upfront but costs more long term

• Cloud IGA SaaS offers faster compliance but at a premium

Most enterprises in 2025 choose subscription for IAM and hybrid or SaaS for IGA.

The Future of Identity Platforms

By late 2025 and beyond:

• IAM platforms are adding lightweight governance

• IGA platforms are adopting real-time risk signals

• Identity security platforms are converging

However, full convergence is still several years away.