We’ve reached a point where customers won’t wait even a few seconds for an app to load or a login to work. In this new era of digital impatience, Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) platforms have become business critical. CIAM isn’t just a backend function anymore, it’s a direct contributor to conversion rates, user retention, and data protection. Gartner predicts that by 2025, organizations using CIAM solutions with built-in fraud detection and passwordless authentication could cut customer churn by over 50%.
In this blog, we’ll explore why customer identity and access management is essential in 2025 and dive deep into the top 15 customer identity and access management solutions, highlighting their features, strengths, and what makes each stand out.
What Is CIAM?
Let’s keep this simple:
IAM is for internal users, employees, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
CIAM is for everyone else – your customers, partners, and in some industries, even your vendors.
A solid customer identity management platform allows users to sign up easily, log in securely, recover accounts without IT, and manage their own data preferences. Great platforms offer this while keeping your business compliant and secure through intelligent CIAM authentication.
Why Is CIAM a Must-Have in 2025?
CIAM platforms are no longer optional in an era where digital loyalty is fragile, and account takeovers are on the rise. Customers expect secure, seamless experiences and they won’t stick around if you fall short.
Here’s what the best CIAM solutions do well:
- Prevent credential stuffing and phishing
- Let customers move between apps and devices seamlessly
- Help you stay compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and the next wave of data laws
- Provide unified, permissioned CIAM data for marketing and product teams.
Here’s a look at the 15 best
The Top 15 CIAM Solutions in 2025
1. AuthX CIAM Platform
AuthX CIAM combines flexible authentication, seamless identity management, and high-assurance security with a user-first design. Built for healthcare, finance, retail, and beyond, it supports everything from passwordless login to biometric authentication and scales effortlessly across devices and platforms.
AuthX CIAM Features
- Passwordless MFA – Supports biometrics, passkeys, mobile push, OTPs and RFID cards
- SSO & VDI Auto-Launch – One login across cloud, on-prem, and virtual desktops
- Compliance Tools – Built-in GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA consent tracking
- Identity Verification – AuthX Verify lets you check real users with a selfie and ID scan
- Risk-Based CIAM Authentication – Dynamically adjusts authentication methods based on location, device, and behavior
- Multi-Tenant Support – Manage multiple customer orgs in a single platform
Supported Authentication Methods: Biometrics, smart cards, push authentication, passkeys authentication and one-time passwords.
AuthX Pricing: Tiered pricing with a free trial. Visit AuthX.com for demos and quotes.
Key Strengths of the Platform: AuthX is one of the best customer identity and access management solutions. Also, a leading name among CIAM providers. It is purpose-built for organizations where security and usability must go hand-in-hand. The platform stands out for its VDI support, passkey-first strategy, and ability to unify access across physical and digital environments. We recommend AuthX for enterprises seeking frictionless, secure, and compliance-ready CIAM.
2. Thales OneWelcome Identity Platform
The Thales OneWelcome CIAM Platform secures digital identities across B2B ecosystems through trusted onboarding, delegated administration, and comprehensive identity lifecycle management. Thales acquired OneWelcome in 2022, boosting its market strength in IAM.
Thales OneWelcome CIAM Features
- Multi-factor authentication with biometrics and mobile
- Lifecycle management and delegated administration
- Seamless identity registration
- Intuitive single sign-on
Supported Authentication Methods: Biometrics, face recognition, OTPs, mobile login
Thales Pricing: Custom pricing on request
Key Strengths of the Platform: OneWelcome simplifies identity management across B2B environments with scalable, intuitive features designed for seamless user experiences. It’s especially strong in regulated industries like finance or telecom.
3. Okta Customer Identity Cloud
Formerly Auth0, Okta’s Customer Identity Cloud is developer-friendly with flexible APIs and workflows for B2C and B2B use cases.
Okta CIAM Features
- Drag-and-drop authentication workflows
- Progressive profiling
- Adaptive MFA and SSO
- Extensive SDKs and integration options
Supported Authentication Methods: Biometrics, OTP, email links, social login
Okta Pricing: Pay-as-you-go and enterprise plans available
Key Strengths of the Platform: Okta remains one of the top CIAM vendors, especially for developer-heavy teams looking for extensive control over CIAM authentication flows.
4. Descope
Descope offers no-code CIAM experience with strong passkey and magic link support. Ideal for fast-moving product teams.
Descope Features
- Visual flow editor for auth logic
- Full passwordless support
- User management dashboards
- Multi-tenancy
Supported Authentication Methods: Passkeys, email magic links, OTPs
Descope Pricing: Free tier available; paid plans for scale
Key Strengths of the Platform: Descope is a newer CIAM provider that’s innovating fast—especially around passwordless authentication and no-code CIAM workflows.
5. CyberArk Customer Identity
CyberArk’s CIAM solution leans into security-first CIAM, with AI-based detection and deep integration into DevSecOps pipelines.
CyberArk Features
- AI-based adaptive MFA
- Secure session monitoring
- API security integration
- DevSecOps-friendly workflows
Supported Authentication Methods: OTP, device fingerprinting, behavioral biometrics
CyberArk Pricing: Contact for enterprise pricing
Key Strengths of the Platform: CyberArk’s customer identity and access management software is ideal for high-security use cases and DevSecOps integration. Strong CIAM authentication built-in.
6. ForgeRock Identity Platform
ForgeRock offers a comprehensive, AI-powered CIAM platform built for global enterprises with complex needs.
ForgeRock Features
- Consent and privacy management
- Adaptive risk analysis
- Progressive profiling
- Scalable identity cloud
Supported Authentication Methods: Face ID, passkeys, OTP, risk-based prompts
ForgeRock Pricing: Enterprise only
Key Strengths of the Platform: ForgeRock is one of the larger customer identity and access management companies, with global reach and rich features tailored for compliance and risk-based CIAM authentication.
7. HYPR CIAM
HYPR focuses on true passwordless authentication using FIDO2 standards and biometric identity binding.
HYPR Features
- FIDO2-based MFA
- Device-bound biometrics
- Phishing-resistant login
- Identity verification integrations
Supported Authentication Methods: Biometrics, FIDO tokens, device trust
HYPR Pricing: Custom pricing based on users/devices
Key Strengths of the Platform: HYPR is highly focused on zero-password strategies, making it one of the best CIAM solutions for passwordless-first teams.
8. Microsoft Entra (Azure AD B2C)
Microsoft Entra ID, formerly Azure AD B2C, provides a scalable CIAM layer for apps and portals with strong Microsoft integration.
Microsoft Entra Features
- Biometric and OTP-based MFA
- User flow customization
- App integrations via Graph API
- Azure ecosystem support
Supported Authentication Methods: Face ID, Windows Hello, OTPs
Entra Pricing: Usage-based pricing with Azure billing
Key Strengths of the Platform: Microsoft’s customer identity and access management software works best in Microsoft-native ecosystems, though setup may require more support.
9. Ping Identity
Ping Identity’s CIAM suite offers deep policy management, strong security controls, and hybrid cloud support.
Ping CIAM Features
- Centralized policy engine
- Identity brokering
- Social login and MFA
- Hybrid deployment support
Supported Authentication Methods: OTPs, push notifications, biometrics
Ping Pricing: Enterprise only
Key Strengths of the Platform: Ping is a legacy CIAM provider that excels in hybrid cloud security, especially for financial services and healthcare.
10. Auth0 (by Okta)
Still a standalone product under Okta, Auth0 is known for its dev-friendly CIAM APIs and customizability.
Auth0 Features
- Flexible rules and actions
- JWT-based authentication
- Social login integrations
- Tenant management
Supported Authentication Methods: Email magic links, passkeys, SSO, OTPs
Auth0 Pricing: Free tier with usage-based scaling
Key Strengths of the Platform: A favorite among dev teams, Auth0 provides robust APIs and remains a strong customer identity solution for teams needing complete control.
11. Frontegg
Frontegg offers embedded CIAM for SaaS apps with complete self-service and admin portals.
Frontegg Features
- Self-service user management
- Admin console
- Embedded MFA and SSO
- Privacy and consent tools
Supported Authentication Methods: Magic links, passkeys, OTPs
Frontegg Pricing: Startup-friendly plans
Key Strengths of the Platform: Frontegg is a flexible customer identity solution for startups that want enterprise-grade functionality without heavy setup.
12. FusionAuth
FusionAuth is an API-first platform designed for developers. It’s flexible, affordable, and packed with features.
FusionAuth Features
- Advanced token handling
- Social and enterprise SSO
- Webhooks and custom scripts
- Native multi-tenant support
Supported Authentication Methods: Passwords, TOTP, WebAuthn
FusionAuth Pricing: Free on-prem; cloud plans available
Key Strengths of the Platform: FusionAuth is an API-first CIAM software that works well for open-source advocates and self-hosting teams.
13. OneLogin CIAM
OneLogin offers adaptive MFA, streamlined SSO, and quick user migration features.
OneLogin Features
- Unified directory integration
- Risk-aware MFA
- SAML and OpenID support
- Real-time monitoring
Supported Authentication Methods: Biometrics, OTP, push login
OneLogin Pricing: Subscription-based
Key Strengths of the Platform: A good option among top CIAM software picks for midsize companies. Delivers essential features without overcomplication.
14. Transmit Security CIAM
Transmit Security focuses on orchestrating user journeys and creating passwordless flows.
Transmit Features
- Identity orchestration studio
- Device and behavior-based risk scoring
- FIDO2-native login
- No-code configuration
Supported Authentication Methods: Face, fingerprint, device ID
Transmit Pricing: Custom enterprise quotes
Key Strengths of the Platform: A newer CIAM provider known for smooth user journey orchestration. It’s rising quickly among customer identity and access management companies.
15. Saviynt CIAM
Saviynt CIAM is compliance-heavy and offers tight governance across cloud environments.
Saviynt Features
- Fine-grained access governance
- Cross-app SSO
- Role and attribute-based access
- Privacy-by-design architecture
Supported Authentication Methods: OTP, RBAC/ABAC-based auth
Saviynt Pricing: Enterprise-focused
Key Strengths of the Platform: Saviynt is one of the customer identity and access management providers known for deep compliance features across sectors like healthcare and banking.
Your Login Is the First Impression - Make CIAM Count
As customer expectations shift toward instant access, invisible security, and total control over personal data, customer identity and access management is becoming the frontline of digital trust. Whether you’re securing a patient portal, retail app, or partner login, the right customer identity management platform will not just protect accounts but also drive loyalty.
And if you’re looking for flexibility, strong CIAM authentication options, and compliance-first workflows, AuthX is a leading name among open source CIAM and enterprise-ready platforms. One of the best CIAM solutions for 2025? We think so.
Looking for vendor flexibility, ease of deployment, or self-hosting? Explore open source CIAM tools or newer CIAM providers that offer more control. The ecosystem is evolving fast, and choosing the right customer identity and access management tool today sets you up for secure, scalable growth tomorrow.
FAQs
What is CIAM and why does it matter?
CIAM stands for Customer Identity and Access Management, helping businesses secure and streamline user access. Modern customer identity solutions improve security while enhancing user experience.
How are customer identity solutions different from traditional IAM?
Unlike IAM for employees, customer identity solutions focus on external users with features like self-service, social login, and privacy controls. They’re built to scale with customer-facing apps.
Do customer identity solutions support passwordless login?
Yes, most modern solutions offer passwordless authentication, biometrics, and passkeys. This helps reduce friction and improve security for users logging into digital services.
Are there open-source options for CIAM?
Yes, developers can choose open source CIAM platforms for flexibility and customization. These are ideal for building tailored customer identity solutions on a budget.
How do I choose between CIAM providers?
Start with your priorities—speed, compliance, or customization. Then compare providers by features, pricing, and scalability to find the best fit.
