AWS Key Management Service vs AWS Secrets Manager Comparison
AWS Key Management Service
Starting at $1 /Month
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Introducing AWS Key Management Service, the ultimate solution for creating and managing cryptographic keys. Developed by Amazon, it is the most reliable and secure option for handling essential keys. This service is back…
AWS Secrets Manager
Starting at $0.40 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
AWS Secrets Manager is a comprehensive privileged access management (PAM) solution for organizations that use Amazon Web Services infrastructure. AWS Secrets Manager helps to monitor and enforce unique access policies ac…
AWS Secrets Manager leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 36 reviews.
AWS Key Management Service vs AWS Secrets Manager — at a glance
| Feature | AWS Key Management Service | AWS Secrets Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 59 | 36 |
| Starting price | $1 /Month | $0.40 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Encryption Key Management Software | Privileged Access Management (PAM) Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between AWS Key Management Service and AWS Secrets Manager
- Pricing: AWS Key Management Service starts at $1 /Month, while AWS Secrets Manager starts at $0.40 /Month.
- Free trial: AWS Secrets Manager offers a free trial; AWS Key Management Service does not.
- User satisfaction: AWS Secrets Manager scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
- Deployment: AWS Key Management Service supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; AWS Secrets Manager supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
AWS Key Management Service vs AWS Secrets Manager — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Encryption Key Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for enterprises needing granular, compliant cloud key management.
- You require FIPS 140-2 validated hardware security modules for maximum protection.
- Your organization needs fine-grained permission controls and multi-factor authentication.
- You want integrated compliance frameworks to streamline audits and reporting.
- You are a small team without dedicated security resources to manage complexity.
- You need a simple, out-of-the-box key management solution with minimal setup.
Best for managing and automating AWS privileged access and secrets securely.
- You need seamless, native integration with AWS services for PAM.
- Your DevOps or security teams require automated secret rotation and policy enforcement.
- You must comply with security and audit mandates within AWS environments.
- Your organization operates primarily outside AWS or in multi-cloud environments.
- You have a small team lacking AWS security expertise or dedicated resources.
AWS Key Management Service: Best for enterprises needing granular, compliant cloud key management. AWS Secrets Manager: Best for managing and automating AWS privileged access and secrets securely.
Description | Introducing AWS Key Management Service, the ultimate solution for creating and managing cryptographic keys. Developed by Amazon, it is the most reliable and secure option for handling ... Read More about AWS Key Management Service | AWS Secrets Manager is a comprehensive privileged access management (PAM) solution for organizations that use Amazon Web Services infrastructure. AWS Secrets Manager helps to monitor and ... Read More about AWS Secrets Manager |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 51-500 employees500+ employees | 51-500 employees500+ employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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Compare AWS Key Management Service and AWS Secrets Manager on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
AWS Key Management Service User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.4 (based on 36 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the robust security controls and compliance support but find the complexity and pricing model challenging. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate AWS Secrets Manager for its deep AWS integration and automation capabilities, though some find pricing and setup challenging. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Autodesk  Clevy  Stackery |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, AWS Key Management Service or AWS Secrets Manager?
- AWS Secrets Manager edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do AWS Key Management Service and AWS Secrets Manager offer a free trial?
- AWS Secrets Manager offers a free trial. AWS Key Management Service does not.
- What is the starting price of AWS Key Management Service vs AWS Secrets Manager?
- AWS Key Management Service starts at $1 /Month. AWS Secrets Manager starts at $0.40 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to AWS Key Management Service?
- Top alternatives to AWS Key Management Service include AWS Secrets Manager, ManageEngine Key Manager Plus, Azure Key Vault, Box KeySafe, Akeyless Vault.
- What are the top alternatives to AWS Secrets Manager?
- Top alternatives to AWS Secrets Manager include PrivX, ManageEngine PAM360, CyberArk PAS, Thycotic Secret Server, RevBits Privileged Access Management.