Ping Identity is a leading enterprise identity and access management (IAM) platform that secures digital identities across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments. It serves over half of the Fortune 100 companies and manages identities for millions of users globally. Large enterprises and regulated industries rely on Ping Identity to balance seamless user experiences with advanced threat protection and compliance requirements.
What Is Ping Identity?
Ping Identity is an enterprise-grade identity and access management platform designed to secure and streamline digital authentication for organizations of all sizes. The platform provides comprehensive tools for single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), identity governance, and access management across complex IT environments.
Originally founded in 2002, Ping Identity serves primarily large enterprises, government agencies, and regulated industries that require sophisticated identity management, regulatory compliance, and integration with both legacy and modern systems.
What is Ping Identity used for?
Ping Identity enables secure, efficient identity management across diverse enterprise environments through multiple core applications:
- Single Sign-On (SSO) - Enables users to access multiple applications with one set of credentials, reducing password fatigue while strengthening security through centralized authentication
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - Provides adaptive authentication that adjusts security requirements based on risk context, including support for biometrics, hardware tokens, and passwordless options
- Identity Governance and Administration - Automates user provisioning, deprovisioning, and access reviews to ensure appropriate permissions and regulatory compliance
- Customer Identity Management (CIAM) - Delivers secure, frictionless registration and login experiences for customer-facing applications while maintaining privacy compliance
- API Security and Protection - Secures application programming interfaces through OAuth protocols and real-time threat detection to prevent unauthorized access
- Federated Identity Management - Enables secure identity sharing across organizations and cloud platforms through standards-based protocols like SAML and OpenID Connect
- Privileged Access Management - Controls and monitors high-risk access to critical systems through just-in-time provisioning and session recording
- Hybrid Cloud Integration - Bridges on-premises identity stores with cloud applications, supporting digital transformation without disrupting existing workflows
Key Features of Ping Identity
The platform's comprehensive functionality spans enterprise security and user experience requirements:
- Comprehensive Authentication Suite supports passwordless login through FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards, enabling secure access via biometrics, security keys, and adaptive risk-based policies that adjust requirements dynamically.
- Enterprise-Grade Directory Services provide scalable LDAP infrastructure capable of managing millions of identities with high availability and real-time synchronization across diverse systems.
- Advanced Policy Management offers no-code orchestration through DaVinci engine, enabling administrators to design complex identity workflows and approval processes without custom development.
- Standards-Based Integration supports SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect protocols, ensuring interoperability with thousands of enterprise applications and cloud services.
- AI-Powered Security Intelligence leverages machine learning for behavioral analysis, fraud detection, and adaptive access controls that respond to emerging threats in real-time.
- Flexible Deployment Options accommodate cloud, on-premises, and hybrid architectures, providing 99.99% uptime SLAs and supporting complex enterprise environments.
- Comprehensive Audit and Compliance tools generate detailed reporting, access certifications, and audit trails required for regulatory frameworks including GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX.
Ping Identity Pros & Cons
Organizations considering Ping Identity should evaluate both its enterprise strengths and implementation complexities.
Ping Identity Pros
- Enterprise-Scale Security provides robust authentication, threat detection, and compliance capabilities suitable for Fortune 500 requirements
- Flexible Integration supports extensive third-party applications, legacy systems, and modern cloud platforms through open standards
- Advanced Customization enables deep policy configuration and workflow orchestration for complex organizational needs
- Proven Reliability delivers enterprise-grade uptime and performance for mission-critical identity management
- Comprehensive Feature Set includes SSO, MFA, governance, and API security in an integrated platform
Ping Identity Cons
- Implementation Complexity requires significant technical expertise and extended deployment timelines for full configuration
- Higher Cost Structure involves premium pricing that may exceed budget constraints for smaller organizations
- Learning Curve Challenges demand specialized knowledge for administrators to effectively manage advanced features
- Support Response Times can be slower than expected during critical incidents or complex troubleshooting scenarios
Ping Identity Pricing
The platform provides both customer identity management and workforce identity solutions with distinct pricing structures:
When Ping Identity Isn't Enough: Meet Siit
While Ping Identity excels at enterprise authentication and identity management, many organizations struggle with the disconnect between identity systems and broader operational workflows. You're not just managing identities, you're manually coordinating complex processes that span IT, Security, HR, and Operations teams for every identity-related request.
Siit eliminates this coordination overhead by seamlessly connecting identity management with end-to-end business processes:
- Cross-Departmental Workflow Automation: Siit handles complete identity lifecycle processes, from access request approvals to security verification to provisioning and deprovisioning—without manual handoffs between departments.
- Native Integration Where Teams Work: Unlike Ping Identity which requires specialized dashboard access, Siit operates directly within Slack and Teams where employees already communicate, capturing identity requests and orchestrating fulfillment without forcing teams to adopt new platforms.
- Intelligent Process Orchestration: Siit doesn't just manage identities, it executes multi-step workflows across teams, handling approvals, compliance checks, and documentation automatically throughout the identity lifecycle.
- Elimination of Manual Coordination: Stop being the "human middleware" between departments. Siit eliminates the significant operational capacity teams typically waste on manual handoffs between IT, Security, Compliance, and Operations for identity management.
Ping Identity Alternatives
Several identity management platforms compete with Ping Identity, each offering different strengths for various organizational needs:
- Microsoft Entra ID integrates seamlessly with Office 365 and Azure environments, providing comprehensive identity management for organizations heavily invested in Microsoft ecosystems with strong conditional access and B2B collaboration features
- Okta offers user-friendly cloud-native identity management with extensive pre-built integrations, making it ideal for rapid deployment scenarios and organizations prioritizing ease of use over deep customization
- JumpCloud provides unified directory services that eliminate traditional Active Directory dependencies, combining user management, device control, and SSO in a single platform optimized for distributed workforces
- ForgeRock delivers open-source flexibility with enterprise capabilities, supporting complex customization requirements and hybrid architectures while maintaining cost-effectiveness for large-scale deployments
- CyberArk specializes in privileged access management and secrets management, offering industry-leading capabilities for securing high-risk accounts and critical system access in security-conscious environments
- Duo Security focuses on multi-factor authentication and endpoint security, providing streamlined deployment and strong device visibility for organizations prioritizing authentication security over comprehensive identity governance
