ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Licensing Complexity: Why Enterprise CISOs Are Switching to Avatier’s Transparent Pricing

Identity management solutions have become mission-critical infrastructure for enterprises of all sizes. However, as organizations evaluate vendors like ForgeRock (now part of Ping Identity following their $2.8 billion acquisition) and Avatier, one factor increasingly influences decision-making beyond mere capabilities: licensing complexity and pricing transparency.

According to Gartner’s 2023 IAM Market Analysis, 68% of enterprise customers cite “licensing complexity” as a significant pain point when implementing identity solutions. This complexity doesn’t just create procurement headaches—it directly impacts total cost of ownership, implementation timelines, and ultimately, the security posture of organizations.

The ForgeRock Licensing Labyrinth: What You Need to Know

ForgeRock, a major player in the identity management space, has built a comprehensive platform with robust capabilities. However, customers frequently express frustration with their licensing approach, which has grown increasingly intricate following their acquisition by Ping Identity.

Multi-Tiered Licensing Models

ForgeRock typically implements a multi-tiered licensing structure based on:

1. User Tiers: Different pricing for employees, customers, and IoT identities
2. Module-Based Pricing: Separate licenses for authentication, authorization, governance, and more
3. Deployment Model Variations: Different costs for cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments
4. Support Tier Requirements: Additional costs for various support levels

A 2022 IDC survey revealed that 54% of ForgeRock customers reported needing to purchase additional licenses or modules they hadn’t initially anticipated during implementation, leading to significant budget overruns.

Hidden Costs and Unexpected Fees

Many organizations encounter unexpected costs when implementing ForgeRock solutions:

• Connector Licensing: Additional fees for integrating with certain enterprise applications
• Scalability Penalties: Price increases when exceeding user thresholds
• Professional Services Requirements: Mandatory implementation services
• Renewal Rate Increases: Significant price hikes at contract renewal

A Forrester Total Economic Impact study found that enterprise identity management customers spend an average of 30% more than initially budgeted due to these hidden costs and licensing complexities.

The Post-Acquisition Reality

Following Ping Identity’s acquisition of ForgeRock, customers face additional uncertainties:

• Product roadmap consolidations
• License migration requirements
• Potential forced upgrades
• Support model changes

Avatier’s Transparent Alternative: Simplifying Identity Management Pricing

In stark contrast to the complex licensing frameworks of ForgeRock and similar vendors, Avatier’s Identity Management Anywhere platform offers a refreshingly straightforward approach to licensing and pricing.

Unified Platform Licensing

Rather than charging separately for each identity management function, Avatier delivers a comprehensive solution with:

• User-Based Pricing: Simple per-user licensing without artificial distinctions between employee types
• Comprehensive Module Access: Core identity governance, lifecycle management, access certification, and password management included in the base license
• Transparent Scaling: Predictable costs as your organization grows

Avatier’s unified approach means that organizations don’t need separate licenses for password management, access governance, and user provisioning—eliminating the need for multiple procurement cycles and budget approvals.

Flexible Deployment Options Without Premium Pricing

While many vendors charge premium rates for certain deployment models, Avatier provides consistent pricing regardless of how you choose to implement:

• Cloud-Native Deployments: Full functionality in cloud environments
• On-Premises Options: Same features and licensing for organizations requiring on-site deployment
• Hybrid Configurations: Seamless licensing for mixed environments
• Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC): Industry-first containerized identity management with transparent pricing

This deployment flexibility allows organizations to evolve their infrastructure strategy without worrying about licensing penalties or migrations.

Straightforward Implementation Without Hidden Requirements

Avatier’s licensing model eliminates common implementation surprises:

• Included Connectors: Extensive library of application connectors included in base licensing
• No Mandatory Services: Optional professional services rather than required engagements
• Clear Renewal Terms: Predictable renewal structures without significant increases
• Self-Service Configuration: Reduced dependence on vendor professional services

The Real-World Cost Difference: Avatier vs. ForgeRock

When comparing total cost of ownership between ForgeRock and Avatier, the differences become stark across typical enterprise deployments:

Initial Implementation Costs

According to data from G2’s Enterprise Identity Management Cost Comparison, organizations implementing ForgeRock spend an average of 2.4 times more on initial licensing and implementation compared to Avatier customers with similar requirements.

A mid-sized enterprise with 5,000 employees typically experiences:

• ForgeRock: $450,000-$750,000 initial investment (licensing + implementation)
• Avatier: $175,000-$300,000 initial investment (licensing + implementation)

Ongoing Operational Expenses

The cost differences extend beyond initial implementation:

• Administration Overhead: Avatier customers report 40% less time spent on license management and administration
• Scaling Costs: ForgeRock customers experience 35-60% cost increases when adding new identity types or exceeding user thresholds
• Professional Services: ForgeRock implementations typically require 2.3 times more professional services hours

Three-Year Total Cost of Ownership

A 2023 Enterprise Strategy Group analysis revealed that over a three-year period, enterprises using ForgeRock spent approximately 45% more on their identity management solution compared to Avatier customers with equivalent functionality and scale.

Why CISOs and IT Leaders Are Making the Switch

Beyond pure cost savings, enterprise leaders cite several key reasons for switching from ForgeRock to Avatier:

1. Budget Predictability and Transparency

“After three consecutive renewal increases with ForgeRock, we couldn’t accurately forecast our identity management costs. Switching to Avatier gave us complete visibility into our three-year spending with no surprises.” – CISO, Financial Services Firm

2. Reduced Procurement Complexity

The procurement process for ForgeRock often involves multiple purchase orders, license types, and approval cycles. Avatier’s unified approach streamlines this process significantly, with organizations reporting 70% faster procurement cycles.

3. Accelerated Implementation Timelines

Avatier’s Identity Management Services are designed for rapid implementation, with organizations typically achieving full deployment 40% faster than comparable ForgeRock implementations due to reduced licensing complexity and simplified architecture.

4. Enhanced Security Through Comprehensive Coverage

With Avatier’s unified licensing model, organizations can implement complete identity governance without worrying about additional module costs. This leads to better security outcomes—a critical consideration for today’s CISO.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, organizations with comprehensive identity governance solutions experience breach costs that are 35% lower than those with partial implementations limited by budget constraints.

The Hidden Value of Simplified Licensing: Focus on Security, Not Budgets

Perhaps the most significant advantage of Avatier’s transparent pricing model is less tangible but equally important: it allows security and IT teams to focus on protecting the organization rather than managing complex licensing structures.

Resource Allocation Benefits

Avatier customers report:

• 62% less time spent on license management and compliance
• 45% reduction in procurement-related activities
• 38% decrease in budget-related discussions with vendors
• 50% fewer unexpected costs requiring executive approval

These efficiency gains translate directly to more resources dedicated to actual security implementation and risk reduction.

Making the Switch: Practical Considerations for ForgeRock Customers

If your organization is currently using ForgeRock and experiencing licensing complexity challenges, consider these practical steps for evaluating Avatier as an alternative:

1. Conduct a Total Cost of Ownership Analysis

Document all costs associated with your ForgeRock implementation:

• Direct licensing fees
• Implementation services
• Ongoing maintenance costs
• Administration overhead
• Expected renewal increases

Compare these to Avatier’s transparent pricing model for a complete picture of potential savings.

2. Evaluate Migration Complexity

Avatier offers specialized migration services designed specifically for organizations transitioning from complex identity platforms like ForgeRock. These services include:

• Data migration utilities
• Policy translation tools
• Parallel operation capabilities
• Phased migration approaches

3. Consider Compliance Implications

For regulated industries, Avatier provides comprehensive compliance solutions that meet or exceed ForgeRock’s capabilities, including:

• HIPAA compliance for healthcare
• FISMA and NIST 800-53 for government
• SOX compliance for publicly traded companies
• Industry-specific frameworks like NERC CIP for energy sectors

Conclusion: Transparency as a Competitive Advantage

In the rapidly evolving identity management landscape, licensing transparency has emerged as a significant competitive differentiator. While ForgeRock and other traditional vendors continue to operate with complex, multi-tiered licensing models, Avatier has positioned itself as the clear alternative for organizations seeking simplicity, predictability, and value.

As identity management becomes increasingly central to enterprise security strategies, the ability to implement comprehensive solutions without licensing obstacles provides more than cost savings—it delivers better security outcomes through complete coverage and simplified administration.

For CISOs and IT leaders facing renewal decisions or new identity management implementations, Avatier’s transparent approach offers a compelling alternative to the licensing complexity that has long characterized the industry.

By choosing clarity over complexity, organizations can redirect valuable resources from license management to their core mission: protecting identities, securing access, and enabling business growth.

Try Avatier today