AWS Secrets Manager vs AWS Systems Manager Comparison
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 Systems Manager
Starting at $2.97
- Enterprise
- Large Enterprises
AWS Systems Manager is a comprehensive secure solution for cloud data storage and management. With over 150 services, this robust program simplifies the process of handling complex resources - from operations and applica…
AWS Secrets Manager vs AWS Systems Manager — at a glance
| Feature | AWS Secrets Manager | AWS Systems Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 36 | 42 |
| Starting price | $0.40 /Month | $2.97 |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Enterprise, Large Enterprises |
| Category | Privileged Access Management (PAM) Software | Cloud Management Platform |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | — |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | — |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems Manager
- Pricing: AWS Secrets Manager starts at $0.40 /Month, while AWS Systems Manager starts at $2.97.
- Free trial: AWS Secrets Manager offers a free trial; AWS Systems Manager does not.
- Target audience: AWS Secrets Manager is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while AWS Systems Manager targets Enterprise and Large Enterprises.
AWS Secrets Manager vs AWS Systems 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 Privileged Access Management (PAM) 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 |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Enterprise, Large Enterprises
AWS Secrets Manager typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. AWS Systems Manager tends to fit Enterprise and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | 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 | AWS Systems Manager is a comprehensive secure solution for cloud data storage and management. With over 150 services, this robust program simplifies the process of handling complex ... Read More about AWS Systems 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 | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems Manager Compare on Features?
Total Features | 0 Features | 8 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems 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 | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
AWS Secrets Manager User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.4 (based on 36 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 23 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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 |  Autodesk  Clevy  Stackery |  Neiman Marcus  Intercom  GE Appliances |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  3 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems Manager in 2026
Alternatives |
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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 Secrets Manager or AWS Systems Manager?
- AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems Manager are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.4. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Cloud Management Platform needs.
- Do AWS Secrets Manager and AWS Systems Manager offer a free trial?
- AWS Secrets Manager offers a free trial. AWS Systems Manager does not.
- What is the starting price of AWS Secrets Manager vs AWS Systems Manager?
- AWS Secrets Manager starts at $0.40 /Month. AWS Systems Manager starts at $2.97.
- 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.
- What are the top alternatives to AWS Systems Manager?
- Top alternatives to AWS Systems Manager include AWS Secrets Manager, nOps, Qualified, AWS Backup, Workvivo.