11 Best Identity and Access Management Tools for Distributed Teams [2025]

Identity management makes hiring, onboarding, employee management, and offboarding seamless for HR and IT teams. However, poorly managed identity management can make an organization’s intellectual property (IP) and sensitive customer and employee data vulnerable to bad actors, leading to financial loss and damaged reputation

With the frequent bad publicity surrounding data breaches, modern businesses need to take this aspect of their cybersecurity seriously by investing in an identity and access management (IAM) solution with automated access control, device lifecycle management, and compliance enforcement.

This article will highlight the importance of IAM tools and guide you through the best 11 IAM solutions available today and the selection criteria to use to choose the best option for your distributed workforce.

What is identity and access management (IAM)?

Identity access management (IAM) creates policies and technologies to ensure the right individuals have access to company systems, applications, and data. IAM manages and secures user identities, permissions, and security protocols to prevent unauthorized access.

For distributed teams, IAM’s user provisioning and de-provisioning streamline user onboarding, enhance security during offboarding, and ensure smooth transitions when employees move between branches and departments. It ensures operational efficiency and mitigates the risks of security breaches.

IAM comprises features like multi-factor authentication, robust authorization controls, and continuous monitoring, ensuring modern organizations have a security framework shielded from unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Top 11 IAM Tools for Distributed Teams

Identity and access management isn’t just a security measure, it’s a foundational system for distributed teams. As companies scale globally, IAM ensures the right people have secure access to the right resources, exactly when they need them. The top tools go beyond authentication, integrating with HR systems, automating provisioning and deprovisioning, and enforcing compliance across devices and regions.

Below are 11 standout IAM solutions shaping how remote-first teams stay secure, efficient, and connected in 2025.

1. Deel IT

G2 ranking: 4.8/5

Best for: Seamlessly provision device & app access for distributed teams

Deel IT supports identity access management (IAM) with automated access control, device lifecycle management (DLM), and compliance enforcement. It integrates identity control into the employee lifecycle from the onboarding to the offboarding process in an organization.

Deel IT goes beyond a standalone IAM; it synchronizes in real-time with other IDPs such as Microsoft Entra, Google Workspace, Okta, and Jump Cloud, making it easier to manage and control app and device access.

Deel IT streamlines the provisioning and de-provisioning of IT assets throughout the employment lifecycle. For instance, it speeds up your onboarding process by automating device and app provisioning via your IdP. It also equips new hires with access to email, applications, databases, and other resources needed to perform their tasks.

Upon termination, Deel suspends the user profile from your IdP, revoking their accessibility to any apps, tools, and devices connected to their corporate identity. Its zero-trust security models also mitigate security risks by ensuring users and devices are not trusted by default.

Deel’s zero-touch deployment for device and software preconfigures devices according to IAM policies for your distributed workforce. It is equipped with role-based access control (RBAC), which automates provisioning and updates access permissions based on changes in job descriptions.

Deel IT key features

• User lifecycle management: Speed up your onboarding and offboarding process with Deel IT. Once an employee is added to your Deel account, a user account will be provisioned for them in your chosen idP. If there are any changes to an attribute in Deel, it will instantly reflect in your idP. When someone leaves your organization, Deel revokes their access to any apps, tools, and devices connected to their corporate identity
• Role-based access control (RBAC): Deel’s RBAC ensures only authorized employees have the right access and are equipped with the tools to perform their tasks without sacrificing data security. This helps mitigate the risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider threats. Additionally, Deel’s RBAC can offset IT workload, like password changes, when an employee is hired or changes their role
• End-to-end device management: Beyond its IAM capabilities, Deel IT offers mobile device management and endpoint protection from a single platform. It allows you to centrally manage your device fleet from a single platform. With the IAM solution, new hires have access to secure, ready-to-use devices while providing real-time visibility into device compliance. Not only that, your global team can leverage Deel IT’s endpoint protection for laptops, tablets, and smartphones against known and unknown cyber threats
• Global compliance and audit readiness: Audit trails of your access activities are needed for compliance checks, legal reviews, and chain of custody reporting. Deel provides detailed audit logs and reports of access activity, which help organizations avoid non-compliance risk. It also ensures you adhere to data protection laws and industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO): Deel IT’s IAM provides an extra layer of security with authentication identity solutions like MFA and SSO. This shields your applications, database, and network system from credential theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access
• Global scalability: As an IT manager overseeing a distributed team, monitoring the lifecycle of your devices while navigating the complexity of global standards can be a handful. Deel’s global coverage standardizes IAM policies across 130+ countries with real-time visibility into the performance and accessibility of your IT assets
• Seamless integration: Leverage Deel IT’s seamless real-time synchronization with HRIS or idP ensures changes made in one of your systems automatically reflect in others, facilitating data consistency and accurate

2. JumpCloud

G2 ranking: 4.5/5

Best for: Unified identity, device, and access management platform for a distributed team.

JumpCloud equips distributed teams with secure and seamless access to IT resources from known and trusted devices. It unifies your IT tech stacks across identity, access, and device management. It helps you secure your devices with out-of-the-box policies from full disk encryption, lockscreen, to firewall control.

With JumpCloud, you can employ one identity access for everything. It lets you manage user identities and connect them to the IT assets to get the job done from a trusted device. This eliminates the cost and time of stitching together a patchwork of different tools.

Unlike other IAM vendors that operate in isolation, JumpCloud integrates with other modern IT resources. A fitting example is JumpCloud’s integration with Deel—offering a robust SCIM API infrastructure that automatically syncs employees and independent contractors—making sure you have an accurate and up-to-date view across platforms.

With the powerful integration with Deel, you can also reduce friction between IT and HR professionals in your organization, ensuring seamless and secure tasks such as hiring, onboarding, and employee management.

JumpCloud key features

• Zero trust: Makes sure no one is trusted by default from inside or outside your network. A stringent identity verification is required for every user and device attempting to access your IT resources within or outside your network. With the security model, sensitive data and platforms are shielded from bad actor exploitation
• Cross-OS device management: JumpCloud manages your Windows, macOS, iOS, iPad, and Android devices from one platform. This ensures uniformity in security policies, compliance adherence, and configuration across all your devices in different locations. With this unification, organizations can streamline their administrative processes and navigate the complexity of managing multiple devices in various locations
• Different authentication options: Secure user access to your company’s resources with secure authentication systems like MF and SSO. Admins also have the options to use JumpCloud Go, JumpCloud Protect (Push MFA), Verification Code (TOTP) MFA, WebAuthn MFA, and Duo Security MFA to strengthen security in their organization.

3. Okta

G2 ranking:4.5/5

Best for: Go-to for enterprises looking to manage and secure user identity

Okta is an IAM solution for standard SSO, MFA, and scalable user management. Its scalability makes it an ideal choice for mid-size to large-scale organizations regardless of the industry, use cases, or even the IT support needed.

With OKta, identity and access management are at the heart of your stack through securing employee and customer digital interactions. It also lets you manage and secure multiple applications from a dashboard.

It also streamlines user accessibility with a single sign-on without maintaining different passwords for each application. For IT teams, this also means relief from constant password reset requests from stakeholders.

Okta offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface that simplifies access control and user identity management. From a centralized dashboard, you can also customize policies, view reports, and keep track of security. However, its pricing plan can be out of budget for small teams looking for an affordable IAM solution.

Okta key features

• Passwordless authentication: Protects your workforce and customer identity from password-based attacks like phishing, spyware, credential stuffing, and ransomware. With Okta’s secured passwordless options like WebAuthn, factor sequencing, email-based magic link, desktop single sign-on, and PIV/Smart-Card (x509-based)
• ThreatInsight: Okta’s ThreatInsight detects and blocks malicious login attempts, suspicious IT addresses, and untrusted authentication requests from credential-based cyberattacks. While ThreatInsight allows end users to log in as usual, blocked users are set to get an HTTP 403 error prompt
• Audit trail and documentation: Offersrobust compliance adherence and reporting features, which help you keep track of user activities and security. It provides compliance reports and audit logs that ensure adherence to security standards

4. Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)

G2 ranking:4.8/5

Best for: IT team using Microsoft Suite or Intune

Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based IAM solution that offers a unified identity management system that effortlessly syncs with other Microsoft services, from Office 365, Teams, and Dynamics 356 to SharePoint. It gives your employees and other stakeholders access to different cloud apps.

With Microsoft Entra ID, IT admins can manage access control to apps and app resources based on an organization’s resources. Your IT team can also use the IAM solution to automate user provisioning with existing Windows Server AD and cloud apps. Likewise, app developers can use Microsoft Entra ID as a standard-based authentication provider for adding single sign-on to apps working with existing credentials.

Microsoft Entra offers a unified identity management that gives you visibility and control over all your identities and access to your cloud-based and on-premises apps in a centralized location.

Microsoft Entra ID key feature

• A secure and adaptive access: Employs strong authentication and risk-based conditional access policies to secure access to resources and data without sacrificing user experience
• Enhanced security: Configure sign-in options and security features such as self-service password reset and multi-factor authentication. It also automatically detects and fixes identity-related risks from compromised login credentials AND malicious sign-in attempts
• User lifecycle: Automate provisioning and deprovisioning of user accounts across different services and applications with Microsoft Entra ID
• Role-based access control (RBAC): Manage administrative access and assign permissions to users based on their roles and responsibilities with Microsoft Entra’s role-based access control
• Seamless user experience: Easy sign-in experience across a multi-cloud environment, which saves time spent on password management

5. Google Workspace

G2 ranking: 4.6/5

Best for: Teams using Gmail and other Google products

Google Workspace streamlines access control and cloud resources management in one place. It allows global teams to centralize administrative tasks such as adding new users, managing multiple devices, revoking access control, and configuring security features.

Enterprises with a global workforce and complex organizational structure can gain full control and visibility into security policy with built-in auditing for compliance processes. It is equipped with endpoint management for app distribution on mobile devices, managing security settings, monitoring access activity, and restricting access on any endpoint.

Google Workspace key features

• Workforce identity federation: Authenticate and authorize with an external identity provider (idP), which lets users (such as employees, contractors, and partners) access Google Cloud services. With the workforce identity federation model’s synchronization, you can eliminate the need to maintain different identities across multiple platforms.
• User provisioning and deprovisioning: Create and deactivate Google Workspace accounts based on the changes in each user’s lifecycle. This speeds up access control and reduces the need for creating manual accounts
• Easy integration: With Google Workspace Marketplace, you can easily integrate the IAM tool with CRM, HRIS, project, and compliance management with a single sign-on. It also streamlines team communication and collaboration on projects throughout the Google Suite
• Single sign-on (SSO): Reduce IT workload with Google’s sign-in to authenticate users' access for all Google services, such as Google Cloud, Google Marketing Platform, and Google Ads
• Automates IT resource permission: Google Workspace has the tools to automate and manage resource permissions. It also lets you delegate tasks and responsibilities to groups and individuals in your organization, giving employees the resources to get the job done.

6. Duo Security

G2 ranking: 4.5/5

Best for: Instantly adding a secure login layer

Duo Security is a cloud-based identity access management suite for bolstering your workforce productivity and eliminating identity-based threats, which could lead to financial loss, data breaches, and damaged reputation. The IAM solution provides an efficient access management experience across users, devices, and applications while ensuring identity visibility from any location.

With Duo Security’s adaptive access control, you can determine who is accessible to what and when it’s allowed. It lets you define granular permissions based on role, location, and device. You can also reduce the administrative burden of password reset requests by allowing users to access resources with biometrics, security keys, and more.

Duo Security key

• Multi-factor authentication: Ensures user identities are verified at login with two or more authentication methods, ensuring your system is resistant to phishing
• Device insight: Helps you verify the health status and trustworthiness of every device that attempts to access the application your workforce needs
• Risk-based authentication: Automatically detects and eliminates potential threats at each login attempt that could put you at risk of a data breach
• Simplified user experience: Provides an intuitive interface that ensures ease of use for administrators and end users.

7. Auth0

G2 ranking: 4.3/5

Best for: SaaS companies and developer teams

Auth0 by OKta is an all-in-one identity platform that modernizes authentication and authorization across any application securely. The enterprise-grade and scalable identity solution is scalable, customizable, and deploys faster. You can also streamline user collaboration and granular access control in your apps with developer-friendly APIs.

Auth0’s Attack Protection serves as a line of defense against credential stuffing, malicious login activity, and brute force attacks with AI-powered threat detection and adaptive security measures. It detects and responds to security threats wth comes with built-in security protection, such as Bot Detection, Breached Password Detection, and Security Center.

AuthO key features

• WebAuthn & biometrics: Enhance your users’ security and experience with FIDO keys and device biometrics, which work seamlessly with passwordless authentication and multi-factor authentication
• Universal login: Equipped with powerful login methods for implementing a robust authentication flow
• Passwordless authentication: Delivers a frictionless and hassle-free login experience with mobile OTPs, passkeys, and email magic links
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Improve your security with second-factor options such as SMS, security key, and voice

8. OneLogin

G2 ranking: 4.4/5

Best for: Fast-moving orgs with internal and external users

OneLogin is a market-leading IAM solution for securing your workforce and stakeholder data from cyber attacks. Organizations can streamline user management across applications in real-time. Improve employee experience by giving them access to your app stack with a single set of login credentials.

Track login attempts, user activities, and generate detailed reports for valuable insights into your company’s security. This lets you identify potential threats and ensure compliance with industry regulations. The IAM solution also integrates with on-premises and cloud-based applications.

OneLogin key features

• Passwordless authentication: Strengthen your security system and eliminate risky password management policies with passwordless authentication. It also streamlines user experience and access control to sensitive apps and data
• Simplified access control: Equipped with a single sign-on (SSO) feature that gives your employees access to various applications with one login credential
• Powerful custom integration: Reduce the complexity of integrations with pre-built connectors, which sync user data between directories and applications
• Cloud directory: Manage your access control from a single source of truth, replacing your current directories. It works seamlessly with your existing on-premises and cloud directories like Microsoft Active Directory, Workday, and LDAP

9. 1Password

G2 ranking: 4.7/5

Best for: Agencies, consultants, and remote teams

1Password is a password management tool for securing sensitive information from unauthorized access and potential threats. It strengthens your login credentials with secure passwords, passkey authentications, multi-factor authorization (MFA), and encrypted vaults.

IPassword’s cross-platform supports devices such as iOS, Windows, Android, Mac, and Linux.. You can easily share a password with your coworkers by granting them access to individual vaults.

1Password is beyond password management, you can also use 1Password for storing and keeping track of credit card details, insurance documents, driver’s licenses, passports, and travel ID numbers.

1Password key features

• Password vault: Secures your login credentials and other sensitive data with a fully encrypted 1Password vault. You can also create, name, and organize multiple vaults for your passwords from the 1Password desktop and mobile apps
• Built-in password generator: Suggest secure and unique password credentials when you create or update your accounts
• Single sign-on: Simplify security for your workforce when they sign in to 1Password with their SSO login credentials.
• Watchtower: Provides a centralized dashboard that lets you monitor password health, user access, and potential data breaches.

10. Ping Identity

G2 ranking: 4.4/5

Best for: Enterprise looking for a hybrid and cloud IAM

Secure customer and workforce access to various applications with Ping Identity. With Ping Identity, your stakeholders don’t have to undergo the hassle of keeping different login credentials for access to different applications.

Ping Identity lets users access apps with a single credential from a unified dashboard. It allows your employees to get the job done without the hassle of jumping through login hoops. Ping Identity easily updates authorization access rights when employees join or leave your organization.

Ping Identity key features

• Rich integration: Unlocks the value of mergers and acquisitions integration and cloud adoption for a hybrid workforce and multi-cloud environment
• Streamlines deployment and orchestration: Simplify user journeys, improve user experience, and amplify your user experience
• Threat protection: Provides real-time monitoring and decisions based on different user risk signals
• Multi-factor authentication: Secure your devices and apps from password attacks by making sure users are really who they claim to be
• Zero trust security: Authenticate and authorize every user's access and devices, which mitigates security risks
• API security: Secure APIs from threats and adhere to industry standards

11. ForgeRock

G2 ranking: 4.4/5

Best for: Organizations in the finance, healthcare, and public sectors

ForgeRock streamlines identity lifecycle management by allowing you to provision and deprovision user accounts, allowing employees to have the right access needed at the right time.

ForgeRock helps you comply with consent management data privacy regulations like GDPR. It offers users transparency and control over their data.

ForgeRock key features

• Secure multi-factor authentication: Incorporates an extra layer of security methods for users, which requires multiple forms of authentication, including a token, SMS code, and fingerprint. With these authentication models, your system is protected from unauthorized access and data breaches
• Identity reports: Generate identity reports, which ensure adherence to compliance regulations like GDPR. It also provides reporting options such as certifications, policy violations, and system access
• User self-serving interface: Offers an intuitive and user-friendly portal that lets employees reset passwords, which enhances operational efficiency and reduces the workload of your IT team. It also lets users manage their profiles and request access to resources.

Common IAM mistakes (and how to fix them)

Below are some common mistakes in identity and access management practices and how to fix them:

Assuming identity access management is multi-factor authentication (MFA) and nothing more

IAM goes beyond verifying user identity with MFA; it also helps you manage the entire lifecycle of digital identities within an organization. This includes provisioning IT for new hires, updating access permissions when there are changes in the job description, and automatically revoking user access upon termination.

Additionally, a robust IAM is equipped with a role-based access control (RBAC), which restricts access to your company’s network and other IT resources based on an individual’s role and responsibility in an organization.

Not syncing IAM with HRIS or org chart

Not syncing your IAM with HRIS or org chart could result in manually provisioning and deprovisioning IT resources, which is prone to human error and makes you vulnerable to security risks.

In contrast, choosing an IAM that syncs with HRIS, org charts, and other apps automates your workflow, enhances employee morale, and bolsters your security.

Waiting until you're "big enough" to invest in IAM

Small and mid-size businesses can employ IAM for automating user provisioning and deprovisioning IT resources, detecting and responding to suspicious activities, and preventing unauthorized access.

Organizations with limited manpower and resources can leverage IAM that lets employers and other end-users manage password resets, reducing IT workload.

IAM helps you stay compliant with regulatory standards, such as GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. It also automatically generates audit trails and reports on user activities, which are used for compliance checks, legal reviews, and chain of custody reporting.

Too many point tools, no clear policy owner

Most teams use fragmented systems or point tools that don’t scale well across global environments, hindering team communications and collaboration on tasks like onboarding and offboarding devices in remote destinations.

In a fragmented system, data is also siloed in different systems, leading to inaccuracies and inconsistencies in compliance.

However, investing in an IAM solution with a zero trust security framework embodies the “trust nothing, verify everything” principle, which ensures no attempted access within or outside your network is trusted by default. With this security model, your sensitive data and platforms are shielded from bad actor exploitation.

IAM provider checklist: What to look for before you commit

Choosing the right IAM solution is essential for streamlining the onboarding process, securing sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maximizing productivity.

Here are the key factors to consider when making this decision:

Automates provisioning and deprovisioning

Relying on manual processes for onboarding, offboarding, and maintaining your workforce can be time-consuming, prone to human error, and decrease productivity.

However, choosing a reputable IAM provider with auto-provisioning ensures you have a seamless onboarding/offboarding process by streamlining the creation, maintenance , and deletion of user accounts and access privileges for IT resources. It also ensures employees have secure access privileges based on their roles, teams, or location to get the job done

Source of truth (SOT) for user identity

A standalone IAM tool operating in silo could overburden your IT team with admintratives that could have been automated with seamless integration with HRIS, org chart, idPs and other system. Juggling different tools and systems requires maintenance costs and decreases your productivity.

Investing in an IAM platform that lets you manage your access control from a single source of truth ensures you have the right information to make informed business decisions. It also works seamlessly with your existing on-premises and cloud-based directories, which improves your productivity.

Syncs access changes in real-time

Whether you are an SMB or enterprise, choosing an IAM platform that doesn’t sync in real-time across apps or devices when a change is made can result in inconsistent data, which makes it hard to manage user identities efficiently.

However, choosing an IAM that synchronizes in real-time with other IDPs makes it easier to manage and control app and device access.

Global scalability

As an IT manager overseeing a global team, navigating multiple standards can be a handful. However, choosing an IAM solution like Deel with global coverage in 130+ countries ensures adherence to international compliance.

Additonally, identity and access management tools equipped with data encryption, GDPR compliance, SSL/HTTPS shields, and periodic tests and updates ensure you are compliant with security frameworks.

Why Deel IT is the best IAM solution for global teams in 2025

Deel IT redefines the standard for managing identity and access across a distributed workforce. Unlike point solutions that only handle authentication or basic device control, Deel IT brings IAM, MDM, endpoint security, and IT asset management together into one unified platform:

• End-to-end automation: Automatically provision and deprovision access to apps and devices based on role, team, or location—with changes synced in real time from your HRIS or IdP.
• Global-first device and access management: Procure, deploy, and recover devices in 130+ countries, while enforcing access policies and managing compliance from a single dashboard.
• Security by design: From certified data erasure to built-in endpoint protection and MDM, Deel IT helps you enforce zero-trust principles at scale.
• HR + IT alignment: Give HR the power to kick off onboarding/offboarding flows without depending on IT, thanks to deep integrations within Deel’s global workforce platform.
• Continuous compliance: Stay ahead of local data regulations and security risks with proactive alerts, certified controls, and always-on support in every region.

Book a demo to see how Deel IT can help you streamline access control, improve security posture, and deliver a better experience for every new hire—no matter where they work.