12 Best Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM) Tools Compared (2026): Features & Pricing

Quick Answer: CyberArk and BeyondTrust lead enterprise EPM; Delinea balances depth with usability; Admin By Request and CyberFOX AutoElevate make local-admin removal painless for SMBs and MSPs; Microsoft Intune EPM is the bundled-adjacent option for Entra estates. Most tools price per endpoint or per user.

Standing local-admin rights are the fuel of ransomware and lateral movement and removing them is consistently among the highest-impact controls an organization can deploy, neutralizing privilege escalation zero-day exploits which is why cyber insurers increasingly mandate it.

Endpoint privilege management (EPM) removes permanent admin rights while elevating approved applications and tasks just-in-time, keeping users productive and helpdesks calm.

Endpoint privilege management (EPM) removes permanent admin rights while elevating approved applications and tasks just-in-time, keeping users productive and helpdesks calm.

The verdict up front: enterprise depth belongs to CyberArk and BeyondTrust; mid-market balance to Delinea, Heimdal, and ManageEngine; SMB/MSP simplicity to Admin By Request and CyberFOX.

Below, twelve tools compared on elevation control, manageability, and pricing model, with full per-tool detail. Editorial assessment; pricing by model only.

Table of Contents

1. Decision Matrix

2. The 12 Tools in Depth

3. Full Comparison Table

4. Buyer’s Guide

5. FAQ

Decision Matrix

If you need…	Shortlist	Pricing model
Enterprise identity-security depth	CyberArk, BeyondTrust	Quote
Balanced mid-market EPM	Delinea, Heimdal, ManageEngine	Quote/per-endpoint
SMB/MSP painless elevation	Admin By Request, CyberFOX	Per-endpoint/user (free tier)
Microsoft-stack alignment	Microsoft Intune EPM	Add-on to Intune
EPM + allowlisting in one	ThreatLocker	Per-endpoint

The 12 Tools in Depth

1. BeyondTrust (Privilege Management for Windows & Mac)

Description. One of the most established EPM products, combining granular least-privilege policy, application control, and Trusted Application Protection (hardening commonly abused apps), backed by BeyondTrust’s full PAM portfolio and analytics.

Organizations should stay current with BeyondTrust Endpoint Privilege Management advisories and kernel flaws
during enterprise deployment.

Key features: Fine-grained elevation rules; application control; TAP hardening; QuickStart templates; PAM/analytics integration.

Pricing model: Quote.

Best for: Mid–enterprise wanting mature, granular EPM with PAM integration.

Pros: Depth + templates; TAP; strong Mac support.

Cons: Policy engine learning curve; enterprise pricing.

2. ThreatLocker (Elevation Control)

Description. ThreatLocker folds elevation control into its allowlisting and application security platform approved applications can run elevated without granting user admin rights serving as a natural fit and strong defense against unauthorized script execution and lateral movement if you’re already running its deny-by-default stack.

Key features: Per-application elevation; deny-by-default allowlisting; Ringfencing; storage control; 24/7 approval desk.

Pricing model: Per endpoint.

Best for: SMB–mid teams wanting allowlisting and elevation from one agent.

Pros: Two controls, one platform; operable lockdown.

Cons: EPM depth (auditing, JIT windows) trails PAM-grade suites.

3. CyberArk (Endpoint Privilege Manager)

Description. The identity-security leader’s EPM removes local admin, enforces JIT elevation, and adds credential-theft and ransomware protections, integrating natively with enterprise Privileged Access Management (PAM) suites and identity fabrics.

Key features: Local-admin removal; JIT elevation; credential-theft blocking; ransomware controls; policy analytics; CyberArk platform integration.

Pricing model: Quote (per endpoint).

Best for: Enterprises unifying EPM with PAM/identity security.

Pros: Deepest identity-security integration; strong threat protections.

Cons: Cost/complexity for smaller teams.

4. CyberFOX (AutoElevate)

Description. AutoElevate by CyberFOX is an MSP-favorite EPM that turns elevation requests into real-time technician approvals (mobile/PSA-integrated), following best practices for monitoring privileged accounts and multi-tenant admin paths while removing local admin across client fleets.

Key features: Real-time approval workflow; multi-tenant MSP console; PSA/RMM integrations; audit trail; password-rotation sibling (Password Boss).

Pricing model: Per endpoint, MSP-friendly.

Best for: MSPs removing admin rights across client fleets.

Pros: Built for MSP workflow; fast rollout.

Cons: Enterprise policy depth limited; MSP-first design.

5. Admin By Request

Description. Admin By Request delivers frictionless local-admin removal with user-initiated elevation (approval or auto-policy), malware scanning of elevated installs via OPSWAT, and a free plan for small fleets simplifying the process when evaluating layered endpoint security software.

Key features: Self-service elevation with approval flows; per-app elevation; OPSWAT scanning on elevation; audit/inventory; free tier for small fleets.

Pricing model: Free plan (limited seats); per-user/endpoint paid tiers.

Best for: SMB–mid teams wanting admin-rights removal this quarter, not next year.

Pros: Painless UX; free tier; scanning on elevation.

Cons: Deep policy/JIT windows lighter than PAM suites.

6. Arcon (Endpoint Privilege Management)

Description. ARCON, highlighted among top providers in enterprise privileged access and session controls, extends to endpoint privilege management with JIT elevation and application control aligned to its enterprise PAM suite.

Key features: JIT elevation; application governance; policy by user/context; ARCON PAM integration; compliance reporting.

Pricing model: Quote.

Best for: Organizations in ARCON-strong regions unifying PAM + EPM.

Pros: Regional strength and support; PAM alignment.

Cons: Smaller Western footprint; ecosystem-dependent value.

7. Delinea (Privilege Manager)

Description. Delinea’s Privilege Manager pairs approachable policy building with strong Windows/macOS coverage least privilege, application elevation, and child-process control adhering to modern Zero Trust security frameworks and growing naturally into Delinea’s broader PAM.

Key features: Local-admin removal; app elevation policies; child-process control; reputation checks; Secret Server integration.

Pricing model: Quote.

Best for: Mid–enterprise wanting usable EPM that scales into PAM.

Pros: Usability + depth balance; good macOS parity.

Cons: Full value alongside Delinea suite; tuning time for advanced policy.

8. Heimdal (Privileged Access Management)

Description. Heimdal folds privilege elevation into its unified security suite, providing automated access governance alongside threat detection and automated vulnerability remediation with a zero-trust check that revokes elevation upon threat detection.

Key features: Approval/auto elevation flows; revoke-on-threat (ties to Heimdal detection); audit trails; suite integration; fast deployment.

Pricing model: Per endpoint, suite tiers.

Best for: Mid-market teams consolidating patching + privilege + detection under one vendor.

Pros: Suite consolidation; threat-linked revocation.

Cons: Best value requires the wider suite; standalone EPM depth mid-pack.

9. ManageEngine (Application Control Plus / PAM360)

Description. ManageEngine covers endpoint privilege via Application Control Plus (allowlisting + privileged app elevation) and PAM360, pairing naturally with Application Control Plus and Active Directory management to deliver trademark ManageEngine value.

Key features: Privileged-app elevation; allow/deny policies; child-process control; self-service requests; endpoint-suite integration.

Pricing model: Per endpoint/tier, published.

Best for: Value-focused mid-market IT teams already in the ManageEngine ecosystem.

Pros: Strong value; suite integration; published pricing.

Cons: Depth trails PAM-grade EPM; dense console.

10. One Identity (Safeguard / Privilege Manager)

Description. One Identity brings privilege management from its Safeguard PAM line toward endpoints, effective for preventing Active Directory privilege escalation where organizations already govern identities and privileged sessions with Quest tooling.

Key features: Privilege elevation policy; session/audit alignment with Safeguard; AD-centric governance; Quest ecosystem integration.

Pricing model: Quote.

Best for: One Identity/Quest shops extending privilege governance to endpoints.

Pros: Strong AD/identity governance lineage.

Cons: Endpoint-EPM specialization lighter than dedicated leaders; ecosystem-dependent.

11. Netwrix (Privilege Secure)

Description. Netwrix Privilege Secure attacks standing privilege with zero-standing-privilege access ephemeral accounts and sessions rather than permanently elevated users complemented by centralized Group Policy and access policy enforcement.

Key features: Zero standing privilege via ephemeral accounts; JIT sessions; session recording; AD/data-security suite alignment; audit evidence.

Pricing model: Quote.

Best for: Mid-market teams pursuing zero-standing-privilege with strong audit.

Pros: True ZSP model; audit heritage.

Cons: Endpoint app-elevation ergonomics differ from classic EPM; suite-dependent value.

12. Microsoft (Intune Endpoint Privilege Management)

Description. Microsoft’s Intune EPM add-on lets standard users on Windows perform approved elevations, aligning with Microsoft Intune baseline and compliance policies to provide an easy adoption path where Intune already manages the fleet.

Key features: File/publisher elevation rules; support-approved elevation; Entra/Intune-native reporting; no extra agent.

Pricing model: Intune add-on license (per user).

Best for: Intune-managed Windows estates wanting native, incremental EPM.

Pros: No new agent; Entra-native; quick adoption.

Cons: Windows-only; rule granularity and JIT depth trail dedicated EPM.

Full Comparison Table

Tool	Local-admin removal	JIT/self-service elevation	MSP multi-tenant	Free tier	Pricing
BeyondTrust	Yes	Yes	Partner	No	Quote
ThreatLocker	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Per endpoint
CyberArk	Yes	Yes	Partner	No	Quote
CyberFOX (AutoElevate)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Per endpoint
Admin By Request	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Per user/endpoint
Arcon	Yes	Yes	Partner	No	Quote
Delinea	Yes	Yes	Partner	No	Quote
Heimdal	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Per endpoint
ManageEngine	Yes	Yes	Yes	Trial	Published tiers
One Identity	Yes	Yes	Partner	No	Quote
Netwrix	Yes (ZSP)	Yes (JIT)	Partner	No	Quote
Microsoft Intune EPM	Yes	Approved flows	N/A	No	Intune add-on

Buyer’s Guide

Sequence beats software: run discovery/audit mode first, template the common elevations (installers, drivers, dev tools), then enforce ring by ring — the tool you can tune fastest wins.

Coordinate with maintenance pipelines: Align elevation policies with automated patch management software so software and driver updates install seamlessly without requiring permanent admin intervention.

Enterprises should shortlist CyberArk and BeyondTrust (Delinea close behind) for depth and PAM integration.

Mid-market gets the best effort-to-value from Delinea, Heimdal (if consolidating), ManageEngine (value), or Netwrix (ZSP model).

SMB/MSP should trial Admin By Request (free tier) and CyberFOX AutoElevate both make removal genuinely painless.

Intune shops can start with Microsoft’s EPM add-on and graduate to a dedicated suite when rule depth runs out.

Key takeaways: removing standing admin is the metric that matters; self-service elevation UX decides user acceptance; and insurers increasingly treat EPM as table stakes alongside MFA.

FAQ

What is the best EPM tool in 2026?

CyberArk and BeyondTrust lead enterprise EPM; Delinea balances usability and depth; Admin By Request and CyberFOX AutoElevate lead SMB/MSP simplicity; Microsoft Intune EPM is the native add-on for Intune-managed Windows estates.

How much does endpoint privilege management cost?

Most tools price per endpoint (or per user) per month/year; enterprise suites (CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Delinea, One Identity, Arcon, Netwrix) quote. Admin By Request offers a free plan for small fleets, and Microsoft’s EPM is an Intune add-on license.

Why remove local admin rights at all?

Standing admin lets malware install drivers, dump credentials, disable defenses, and spread. Removing it collapses the blast radius of most endpoint compromises — which is why insurers and frameworks now expect it.

Will users revolt when admin rights disappear?

Not if elevation is self-service and fast. Tools like Admin By Request and AutoElevate approve routine elevations in seconds (or auto-approve by policy), so users rarely notice the change after week one.

EPM vs PAM — which first?

For most organizations, EPM first: endpoint admin rights are the broadest standing risk. PAM (vaulting, session control for servers/infrastructure) follows or runs in parallel; CyberArk, BeyondTrust, and Delinea unify both.

Does Intune include EPM?

Intune offers Endpoint Privilege Management as a paid add-on for Windows file-based elevation rules and support-approved flows. It’s a solid start for Intune estates, with dedicated suites offering deeper JIT and cross-OS coverage.

Conclusion

EPM is the fastest way to shrink endpoint blast radius. CyberArk and BeyondTrust own the enterprise deep end; Delinea, Heimdal, ManageEngine, and Netwrix serve mid-market strategies from suite consolidation to zero standing privilege; Admin By Request and CyberFOX AutoElevate make SMB/MSP rollouts almost frictionless; ThreatLocker bundles elevation with allowlisting; Arcon and One Identity extend regional and identity-governance strengths; Microsoft Intune EPM starts Intune shops natively.

Whichever you pick, measure one number: endpoints still carrying standing local admin and drive it to zero.

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