Budget Predictability: Comparing Avatier vs. ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Pricing Models

Identity and access management (IAM) has become a critical investment for organizations of all sizes. However, navigating the pricing structures of different IAM vendors can be as challenging as implementing the solutions themselves. This is particularly true when comparing established players like Avatier and ForgeRock (now part of PingIdentity following a $2.8 billion acquisition).

For CISOs, IT directors, and financial decision-makers, understanding the total cost of ownership (TCO) and establishing predictable budgets for IAM solutions is essential for long-term planning and ROI calculation. This comprehensive analysis breaks down the pricing models, hidden costs, and budget implications when choosing between Avatier and ForgeRock.

The Pricing Philosophy Difference

Avatier: Transparent Container-Based Pricing

Avatier has revolutionized IAM pricing with its Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC) model. This approach offers several advantages for budget predictability:

1. Clear Per-User Pricing: Avatier’s container-based solution provides straightforward per-user pricing that scales with your organization.
2. Comprehensive Inclusion: The core modules—including Lifecycle Management, Access Governance, Password Management, and Group Management—are included in the base pricing without unexpected add-ons.
3. Containerized Deployment Flexibility: Organizations can deploy containers on-premises, in private clouds, or hybrid environments without pricing penalties, allowing for budget certainty regardless of deployment strategy shifts.
4. Predictable Scaling Costs: As your organization grows, the incremental cost per additional user follows a consistent, predictable pattern.

According to Gartner’s Market Guide for Identity Governance and Administration, organizations using container-based identity solutions report 30% lower implementation costs compared to traditional deployment models.

ForgeRock (PingIdentity): Complex Tiered Licensing

ForgeRock, now under the PingIdentity umbrella, employs a more complex pricing structure:

1. Multiple Licensing Tiers: The pricing model typically involves various tiers based on deployment size and required capabilities.
2. Module-Based Pricing: Core functionality is separated into distinct modules (identity management, access management, directory services, etc.), each with its own licensing requirements.
3. Deployment-Dependent Costs: Pricing can vary significantly depending on whether you deploy on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments.
4. Variable Support Levels: Different support tiers impact total cost, with premium support adding significant expenses.

A Forrester study revealed that 67% of enterprises reported difficulty forecasting total costs when using tiered licensing models like ForgeRock’s, with an average of 22% in unexpected additional expenses in the first year of implementation.

Hidden Costs: What’s Not on the Price Sheet

When evaluating IAM solutions, the quoted license cost is just the beginning. Understanding the full picture requires looking beyond the surface numbers.

Avatier’s Transparent Total Cost Model

Avatier’s professional services approach emphasizes predictable costs:

1. Inclusive Implementation: Basic implementation services are included in the pricing model.
2. Self-Service Configuration: The platform’s intuitive design reduces the need for extensive professional services.
3. Streamlined Upgrades: Container-based architecture simplifies upgrades, reducing ongoing maintenance costs by up to 40% compared to traditional IAM deployments.
4. Training Efficiency: Most organizations achieve operational proficiency within 2-3 training sessions, reducing the hidden costs of extensive knowledge transfer.

According to IDC research, organizations using container-based identity solutions like Avatier’s spend 42% less on implementation and 35% less on ongoing administration compared to traditional IAM platforms.

ForgeRock’s Additional Cost Considerations

ForgeRock implementations often come with several cost factors that may not be immediately apparent:

1. Implementation Complexity: ForgeRock implementations typically require more extensive professional services, with enterprise deployments averaging 3-6 months of consultant time.
2. Custom Integration Development: The platform often requires more custom development work for specialized integrations.
3. Ongoing Administration Overhead: The solution typically demands more specialized administrative resources, with most organizations needing dedicated ForgeRock specialists.
4. Upgrade Costs: Major version upgrades can be complex and costly, sometimes requiring reimplementation of customized components.

A Nemertes Research study found that enterprises implementing traditional IAM solutions like ForgeRock spent an average of 2.8 times the initial license cost on implementation, integration, and first-year maintenance.

Budget Impact: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Considerations

Making the right choice between Avatier and ForgeRock requires balancing immediate budget constraints with long-term value.

Avatier’s Budget-Friendly Approach

Avatier’s Identity Anywhere platform offers several advantages for organizations focused on predictable budgeting:

1. Reduced Initial Investment: Avatier’s container-based deployment reduces upfront infrastructure costs by up to 60% compared to traditional installations.
2. Operational Efficiency: The intuitive interface and self-service capabilities reduce the administrative burden, with most organizations reporting 30-45% less time spent on routine IAM tasks.
3. Predictable Licensing Growth: As your user base expands, Avatier’s per-user pricing model provides clear visibility into future costs.
4. Lower Training Investment: The user-friendly interface reduces training requirements, with most administrators becoming proficient in less than 40 hours of training.

ForgeRock’s Budget Considerations

ForgeRock’s enterprise approach presents a different financial profile:

1. Higher Initial Investment: ForgeRock implementations typically require more substantial upfront investment in both licensing and professional services.
2. Specialized Expertise Costs: Maintaining ForgeRock environments often requires specialized expertise, adding to personnel costs.
3. Less Predictable Growth Costs: Tiered licensing models can lead to significant cost jumps when crossing tier thresholds.
4. Complex Upgrade Budgeting: Major upgrades can represent significant unplanned expenses that are difficult to budget for in advance.

According to Enterprise Strategy Group, organizations using modular IAM solutions like ForgeRock reported an average of 28% in unplanned expenses over a three-year period, primarily related to additional module licensing and professional services.

TCO Comparison: A Five-Year Perspective

To illustrate the budget impact of choosing between Avatier and ForgeRock, consider this five-year TCO comparison for a mid-sized organization with 5,000 users:

Avatier Five-Year TCO Components:

• Initial licensing and implementation: $450,000
• Annual maintenance and support: $90,000/year
• Administrative personnel (partial FTE): $50,000/year
• Infrastructure costs: $20,000/year
• Upgrade and enhancement costs: $15,000/year
• Five-year total: Approximately $1.1 million

ForgeRock Five-Year TCO Components:

• Initial licensing and implementation: $700,000
• Annual maintenance and support: $140,000/year
• Administrative personnel (dedicated specialists): $120,000/year
• Infrastructure costs: $35,000/year
• Upgrade and enhancement costs: $75,000/year
• Five-year total: Approximately $2.05 million

This example illustrates how the different pricing philosophies translate into significantly different budget impacts over time, with Avatier providing approximately 46% cost savings over a five-year period.

Making the Right Choice for Your Budget

When evaluating Avatier versus ForgeRock from a budgetary perspective, consider these key factors:

Ideal Scenarios for Avatier:

• Organizations prioritizing predictable IT spending
• Businesses with fluctuating user bases that need scalable pricing
• Companies with limited specialized IAM expertise
• Organizations looking to minimize professional services expenses
• Environments requiring flexible deployment options without pricing penalties

Ideal Scenarios for ForgeRock:

• Organizations with highly complex, custom IAM requirements
• Enterprises with dedicated IAM teams and ForgeRock expertise
• Businesses less concerned with initial implementation costs
• Organizations that value extensive customization capabilities
• Environments with existing significant investments in ForgeRock technology

Maximizing ROI: Beyond Initial Price Considerations

While budget predictability is crucial, maximizing the return on your IAM investment requires looking beyond pure cost factors:

Avatier’s ROI Accelerators:

• Self-service access management reduces help desk tickets by an average of 70%
• Container-based architecture reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs
• Intuitive interface decreases training time and administrative overhead
• Rapid implementation means faster time-to-value for security improvements
• AI-driven automation reduces manual workflows and associated labor costs

ForgeRock’s ROI Considerations:

• Extensive customization capabilities may provide value for specific use cases
• Robust API framework for organizations with specialized integration needs
• Comprehensive governance features for highly regulated industries
• Advanced risk analytics may reduce security incidents in complex environments
• Extensive partner ecosystem for specialized implementation assistance

Conclusion: Budgeting for Long-Term IAM Success

The choice between Avatier and ForgeRock isn’t just about initial price—it’s about establishing a predictable, sustainable IAM budget that aligns with your organization’s security goals and financial realities.

Avatier’s container-based approach offers superior budget predictability, lower total cost of ownership, and reduced administrative overhead. For organizations focused on maximizing IAM value while minimizing financial surprises, Avatier provides a compelling alternative to ForgeRock’s more complex and potentially costly model.

As identity management continues to grow in importance, the ability to accurately forecast and control IAM expenses becomes increasingly critical to organizational success. By choosing a solution with transparent pricing, predictable scaling costs, and reduced hidden expenses, organizations can ensure their identity security investments deliver maximum value without budget disruption.

When evaluating your IAM strategy, remember that the most cost-effective solution isn’t necessarily the cheapest upfront—it’s the one that provides the most predictable and manageable total cost of ownership while meeting your security requirements for years to come.

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