Top 5 secure remote access tools for privileged environments

We reviewed the most relevant secure remote access solutions to identify the top 5 with the best overall value for security and IT teams:

• One Identity Safeguard Remote Access
• BeyondTrust Secure Remote Access
• Okta Secure
• Delinea Privileged Remote Access
• CyberArk Remote Access

These platforms stand out in the areas that matter most for managing privileged access in a remote setting:

• Security features and access controls
• Privileged session monitoring and recording
• Credential protection and vault integration
• Ease of deployment and administration
• Support for third-party and vendor access
• Integration with PAM, IAM, cloud and hybrid infrastructure
• ZTNA, SASE and remote browser isolation support

Safeguard Remote Access by One Identity is a cloud-native secure remote access solution designed for privileged users, administrators, and third-party vendors. It allows remote users to connect to privileged resources securely without the friction or security limitations of VPN. Safeguard by One Identity is generally recognized as one of top PAM tools.

Key features of Safeguard Remote Access

• Browser-based access: Privileged users can access critical resources through a single web interface, without requiring VPN or any client software.
• Instant-on deployment: Safeguard Remote Access can be deployed in transparent mode, which helps organizations enable secure access without forcing major changes to existing user workflows.
• Support for RDP and SSH: The platform provides out-of-the-box support for both RDP and SSH. This makes it easier for privileged users to connect securely to Windows and Linux-based resources without VPN.
• Active Directory authentication: Safeguard Remote Access can rely on Active Directory authentication. This helps organizations simplify access for users while maintaining centralized identity control.
• SaaS delivery: The solution is delivered from the cloud, which helps simplify deployment, scaling and ongoing management.

Session recording with Safeguard PASM with Privileged Sessions

One Identity Safeguard Remote Access integrates with Safeguard PASM with Privileged Sessions capabilities to provide detailed visibility into privileged remote activity.

Through this integration, organizations can record privileged sessions and capture activity such as keystrokes, commands, mouse movement and windows viewed. Security teams can also monitor traffic in real time and disconnect access immediately if needed.

Best for secure remote access across hybrid IT and OT environments

One Identity Safeguard Remote Access is a strong fit for organizations that need to secure remote privileged access across hybrid IT and OT environments.

In PAM for healthcare, it can help secure privileged access to systems that support patient data, clinical applications and connected medical infrastructure.

In PAM for finance, it can help banks and financial services firms control remote administrator access to high-risk systems and regulated data platforms.

For PAM for manufacturing organizations, Safeguard Remote Access can help secure access to operational technology and plant infrastructure.

In government, it can support controlled remote access to sensitive applications, citizen data and critical infrastructure.

Awards and recognition

• Recognized as a "Leader" by PeerSpot in 2026 PAM Market analysis
• Named an Overall Leader in the 2025 KuppingerCole Identity Fabrics analyst report
• One Identity is named a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for PAM
• Recognized as a Leader in the 2023 EMA Radar report for Privileged Access Management (PAM)
• Positioned as an Overall Leader in the 2024 Leadership Compass for Privileged Access Management (PAM) by KuppingerCole

Reviews and testimonials

Safeguard Remote Access has excellent reviews on Gartner and PeerSpot, with customers highlighting its session monitoring, VPN-free secure access and ease of deployment.

• Identity Safeguard is ranked #1 PAM solution in 2025 by the Cybersecurity News review team
• The CyberPress organization also ranks Safeguard by One Identity as #1 PAM solution for enterprise security
• AI Multiple has ranked Safeguard by One Identity as #1 PAM solution in their top 10 picks
• Cloudnuro also rates Identity Safeguard as #1 in PAM solution for IT environments, and the PAM in Zero Trust models

BeyondTrust Secure Remote Access helps organizations provide secure, VPN-less access for employees, vendors and service desks.

Key features and strengths of BeyondTrust Secure Remote AccessKey features and strengths of BeyondTrust Secure Remote Access

• Just-in-time access: The platform supports just-in-time access to help administrators grant users only the remote access they need, when they need it.
• Least privilege controls: BeyondTrust applies least privilege principles to remote access to reduce the risk of overexposed accounts and standing privileges.
• Session management: Security teams can maintain visibility into privileged sessions with detailed logs and audit trails.
• MFA, SSO and SAML integrations: BeyondTrust includes core identity and access controls such as MFA, SSO and SAML integration to support secure authentication.
• Remote support capabilities: BeyondTrust Remote Support enables service desks to securely access and fix devices across different platforms and locations.
• ITSM and security integrations: BeyondTrust integrates with tools such as ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, SIEM platforms and other enterprise systems.

Best for securing privileged access and remote support without VPN

BeyondTrust Secure Remote Access is a strong fit for organizations that want to reduce VPN exposure without losing control over privileged and service desk access. It combines VPN-less connectivity with SSO, least privilege, just-in-time access and session auditing to help teams enforce fine-grained access control and maintain visibility across every session.

It is also useful for organizations that need both privileged remote access and remote support. Privileged Remote Access helps secure access to critical systems, while Remote Support gives help desks a safer way to support users and devices at scale.

Limitations and considerations

• Can require planning in complex environments: Teams with many vendors, service desk workflows, privileged systems and integrations may need upfront planning to configure access policies and audit requirements properly.
• Best suited to organizations with mature access needs: Smaller teams with basic remote access needs may not require the full depth of BeyondTrust. The platform is better suited to organizations with more complex privileged access or service desk requirements.

Okta does not offer a standalone privileged remote access product in the same way as One Identity or BeyondTrust. Instead, Okta supports secure remote access through its broader identity platform.

Key features and strengths of Okta

• Single sign-on: Okta gives users one secure portal to access assigned applications across cloud and on-prem environments.
• Access Gateway: Okta Access Gateway helps organizations secure access to on-prem applications without changing how those applications work.
• Adaptive MFA: Okta supports context-based multi-factor authentication to help protect against credential-focused attacks such as phishing.
• Lifecycle management: Okta can automate provisioning and deprovisioning for employees, partners and contractors across distributed environments.
• Zero Trust access support: Okta helps organizations shift access control closer to the user by verifying identity, device, location and risk before granting access.

Best for identity-led remote access across cloud and on-prem applications

Okta is a good fit for organizations that want to make identity the foundation of their remote access strategy. It gives users seamless access to the applications they need while helping security teams apply SSO, MFA, lifecycle automation and contextual access policies from one platform. It is less focused on privileged session control, but can play an important role in reducing remote access risk by ensuring the right users have access to the right resources at the right time.

It is also useful for organizations that need both privileged remote access and remote support. Privileged Remote Access helps secure access to critical systems, while Remote Support gives help desks a safer way to support users and devices at scale.

Limitations and considerations

• Not a dedicated privileged remote access tool: Okta does not provide the same depth of privileged remote access controls as a purpose-built PAM solution.
• May require additional tools for high-risk environments: Okta is strong for identity-led access control, but highly privileged IT, OT or vendor access use cases may require additional tools.
• Best suited to Okta-first environments: Organizations already using Okta for SSO, MFA and lifecycle management will get the most value. Teams outside the Okta ecosystem may need more planning to integrate it into their existing security stack.

Delinea Privileged Remote Access provides browser-based, VPN-less access to privileged resources through the cloud-native Delinea Platform.

Key features and strengths of Delinea Privileged Remote Access

• VPN-less privileged access: Delinea allows privileged users to access critical internal resources through their browser without needing VPNs or local clients.
• RDP and SSH support: The platform supports secure browser-based RDP and SSH sessions for remote access to privileged systems.
• Credential injection: Delinea can inject credentials directly from the vault into remote sessions, so users can access systems without handling passwords.
• Policy-based controls: Admins can define granular authorization policies to enforce least privilege and limit access based on identity, resource and session requirements.
• Time-bound sessions: Each session can be limited by time and access scope, helping reduce standing privileges and unnecessary exposure.
• AI-driven auditing: Auditing powered by Delinea Iris AI helps turn session activity into clearer audit records for compliance and investigation.

Best for vault-integrated, browser-based privileged remote access

Delinea Privileged Remote Access is a strong fit for organizations that want to combine remote privileged access with vault-based credential protection. It gives users secure browser-based access to critical systems while keeping credentials hidden and controlled through centralized policies.

Limitations and considerations

• Best suited to Delinea-centered environments: Organizations already using the Delinea Platform or Delinea vaulting capabilities are likely to get the most value from Privileged Remote Access.
• May be more than simple remote access needs require: Smaller teams that only need basic remote connectivity or help desk support may not need the full depth of Delinea’s privileged access governance and auditing capabilities.

CyberArk Remote Access helps organizations provide VPN-less remote access to CyberArk Privileged Access Manager. It is designed for remote privileged users and external vendors who need secure access to critical assets.

Key features and strengths of CyberArk Remote Access

• Biometric multi-factor authentication: The platform uses smartphone-based biometric authentication and dynamic QR codes to confirm user identities.
• Zero Trust access to PAM: CyberArk requires users to confirm their identity each time they need access to critical assets.
• Integration with CyberArk PAM: The solution integrates with CyberArk Privileged Access Manager to enforce privileged access policies without disrupting native workflows.
• Just-in-time vendor provisioning: The platform supports direct or delegated provisioning for external vendors who need access to CyberArk PAM.
• Passwordless access: Users can connect without handling passwords.

Best for CyberArk PAM customers that need secure vendor and remote privileged access

CyberArk Remote Access is a strong fit for organizations already using CyberArk Privileged Access Manager. It extends secure remote access into existing PAM workflows to help teams authenticate remote users and monitor privileged activity without adding VPN complexity.

Limitations and considerations

• Best suited to CyberArk PAM environments: CyberArk Remote Access is most relevant for organizations already using CyberArk Privileged Access Manager. Teams outside the CyberArk ecosystem may need to assess how well it fits their existing PAM and identity stack.
• More focused on PAM-connected access: The solution is designed around secure access to CyberArk PAM, so organizations looking for broader standalone remote support or general remote access capabilities may need additional tools.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use to compare secure remote access tools and choose the right fit for your organization.

a. VPN-less secure access

Traditional VPNs can expose more of the network than users actually need. Look for a solution that provides secure, browser-based or identity-aware remote access without needing VPN.

b. Privileged access controls

Remote access to privileged systems should be governed by least privilege, just-in-time access and strong, adaptive authentication.

c. Session monitoring and auditing

For privileged environments, visibility is critical. Choose a solution that can record and audit remote sessions, so security teams can investigate activity and respond quickly to suspicious behavior.

d. Credential protection

The best remote access tools reduce or eliminate direct exposure to privileged credentials. Look for capabilities such as credential vaulting, credential injection, passwordless access and automated credential rotation.

e. Support for hybrid IT and OT environments

Many organizations need to secure access across cloud applications, on-prem systems, servers, databases, network devices and operational technology. Choose a platform that can support the environments your teams and vendors actually need to access.

f. Ease of deployment and administration

A remote access solution should improve security without creating unnecessary complexity. Consider whether the platform requires agents or major workflow changes, and how easily admins can onboard users and configure policies

To secure remote access across privileged environments, you need a solution that can reduce VPN exposure, protect privileged credentials, enforce least privilege and give security teams clear visibility into every session.

For most organizations, One Identity Safeguard Remote Access is the strongest overall choice because it combines VPN-free privileged access, browser-based connectivity, cloud-native delivery, RDP and SSH support, Active Directory authentication and integration with Safeguard for Privileged Sessions.