Privileged Access Management (PAM) has become a core component of modern cybersecurity strategies. By controlling and monitoring privileged accounts, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches and insider threats.
Admin By Request is a well-known tool for managing local administrator rights and is used by organizations aiming to enforce the principle of least privilege. There are, however, several alternative solutions that provide broader identity and access management capabilities, just-in-time (JIT) privilege elevation, secure remote access and compliance features.
Below is an overview of Admin By Request and eight leading alternatives on the market.
Quick comparison: Admin By Request and leading alternatives
| Solution | Just-in-Time (JIT) | PAM features | Secure remote access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin By Request | Yes | Yes | Limited | SMB and mid-market |
| Heimdal Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | SMB and Enterprise |
| Microsoft Entra ID | Yes | Yes | Limited | Microsoft environments |
| JumpCloud | Yes | Partial | No | Hybrid and cloud-first |
| BeyondTrust | Yes | Yes | Yes | Enterprise |
| LastPass | No | Limited | No | Smaller businesses |
| Tenable | Partial | Limited | No | Security and risk teams |
| Netwrix | Partial | Yes | Yes | Compliance and audit |
| ManageEngine ADManager Plus | Limited | Partial | No | Active Directory environments |
Admin By Request
Admin By Request is a PAM-focused solution designed to remove persistent local administrator rights and grant users temporary elevated access when necessary. The platform helps organizations implement the principle of least privilege while minimizing administrative overhead for IT teams.
Its simplicity and ease of deployment make it particularly popular among small and medium-sized businesses that want to strengthen control over administrator privileges without adopting a large, complex PAM platform.
Advantages
- Simple to deploy and manage
- Supports Just-in-Time privilege elevation
- Helps remove persistent local administrator accounts
- Cloud-based management
- Good balance between features and cost
Disadvantages
- Less comprehensive than full-scale PAM platforms
- Limited advanced session monitoring
- Fewer identity governance features compared with larger PAM suites
- Organizations with complex security requirements may need complementary tools
Best for
Small and mid-sized organizations that want to enforce least privilege and control administrator rights without investing in a major PAM platform.
1. Heimdal Security
Heimdal Security provides a comprehensive PAM platform that combines administrator rights management, Just-in-Time access and privileged session monitoring.
It enables IT teams to approve or deny elevation requests in real time, ensuring users receive elevated privileges only for the duration required to complete specific tasks.
Advantages
- Just-in-Time privileges
- Centralized administration of admin rights
- Session monitoring and reporting
- Integration with other security solutions
- Support for GDPR, NIS2 and similar regulations
Disadvantages
- May be more than smaller organizations need
- Custom pricing can complicate cost comparison
Best for
Organizations that want PAM capabilities coupled with broader endpoint and identity security.
2. Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory, is Microsoft’s identity and access management platform.
Advantages
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure
- Just-in-Time privileges via Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
- Supports Zero Trust strategies
- Advanced conditional access policies
Disadvantages
- Can be complex to implement
- Advanced features require higher license tiers
Best for
Organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
3. JumpCloud
JumpCloud is a cloud directory platform that unifies identity, access and device management.
Advantages
- Platform-agnostic
- Support for Windows, macOS and Linux
- SSO and MFA capabilities
- Easy administration
Disadvantages
- Limited local support for certain use cases
- Premium features require higher subscription tiers
Best for
Organizations with hybrid or cloud-first IT environments seeking flexible identity and device management.
4. BeyondTrust
BeyondTrust is one of the most established PAM vendors, widely used by large organizations.
Advantages
- Advanced session monitoring
- Secure remote access
- Extensive reporting
- Support for Zero Trust models
Disadvantages
- Higher cost
- Implementation can take longer
Best for
Large enterprises and organizations with advanced security requirements.
5. LastPass
LastPass is best known as a password manager but also includes some privileged access capabilities.
Advantages
- Simple password management
- Multi-factor authentication
- Secure credential sharing
Disadvantages
- Limited PAM functionality
- Past security incidents have affected trust for some customers
Best for
Smaller organizations primarily seeking secure credential management.
6. Tenable
Tenable focuses mainly on vulnerability management and identity-related security risks.
Advantages
- Identifies risks tied to privileged accounts
- Detects misconfigurations
- Integrates with other security tools
Disadvantages
- Not a traditional PAM solution
- Fewer privilege management features
Best for
Organizations focused on risk management and security analytics.
7. Netwrix
Netwrix provides robust monitoring of user activity, privileges and sensitive data.
Advantages
- Real-time monitoring
- Detailed audit logs
- Compliance reporting
- Support for least privilege practices
Disadvantages
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
Best for
Organizations with strong requirements for auditing and regulatory compliance.
8. ManageEngine ADManager Plus
ManageEngine ADManager Plus helps organizations manage Active Directory, user administration and delegated permissions.
Advantages
- Automated user lifecycle management
- Extensive reporting
- Efficient delegation of administrative tasks
Disadvantages
- Upgrades can require manual steps
- Limited PAM functionality compared with specialized platforms
Best for
Organizations that rely heavily on Active Directory for identity and access management.
Editorial recommendation
The right choice depends on organization size, security requirements and the existing IT environment.
For companies seeking a simple, cost-effective route to least privilege, Admin By Request remains a strong option.
Organizations wanting to combine privilege management with endpoint and identity security should evaluate Heimdal Security.
Microsoft-centric environments will find Microsoft Entra ID a natural fit, while BeyondTrust targets larger organizations with advanced PAM and Zero Trust needs.
JumpCloud provides flexibility for hybrid setups, and Netwrix and Tenable are appropriate where compliance, audit and risk management are primary concerns.
Conclusion
No single PAM solution fits every organization. The decision should be based on company size, security posture, regulatory obligations and technical landscape.
Admin By Request remains a popular choice for teams that want to limit local administrator rights simply and effectively. At the same time, competitors offer broader identity management, session monitoring, compliance reporting and secure remote access.
As cyber threats evolve, effective management of privileged accounts becomes an increasingly important part of organizational security strategies.
Frequently asked questions
Why should local administrator rights be limited?
Limiting local administrator rights reduces the risk that malware can be installed or that accounts can be abused to escalate attacks.
What does the principle of least privilege mean?
The principle of least privilege means users are granted only the access necessary to perform their job tasks.
What are Just-in-Time privileges?
Just-in-Time privileges grant administrative rights for a limited period when needed and then automatically revoke them once the task is complete.