Best Azure Managed HSM Alternatives in 2026
The top Azure Managed HSM alternatives are Fortanix Data Security Manager, Thales CipherTrust Manager and Futurex CryptoHub: 15 key management software our editors would look at instead of Azure Managed HSM, in our ranking order.
Azure Managed HSM: A dedicated Azure HSM service for organizations with strict key protection requirements. Where it falls short: paid service with one listed standard B1 plan.
Switching from Azure Managed HSM? For most key management software buyers the best Azure Managed HSM alternative is Fortanix Data Security Manager, built for multi-cloud enterprises needing HSM-backed keys. Thales CipherTrust Manager has a free plan, which Azure Managed HSM does not.
Why People Look for an Azure Managed HSM Alternative
- Paid service with one listed Standard B1 plan
- Cloud deployment is centered on the Azure ecosystem
- Dedicated HSM architecture may exceed simpler key-management needs
- No free plan — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFortanix Data Security Manager9.4
Multi-cloud enterprises needing HSM-backed keys
Visit Fortanix Data Security Manager - Best free optionThales CipherTrust Manager9.2
Has a free plan (Azure Managed HSM has none)
Visit Thales CipherTrust Manager
All 15 Azure Managed HSM Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMulti-cloud enterprises needing HSM-backed keys
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.2
A broad enterprise key-management platform for multi-cloud, hybrid, and HSM-backed workflows.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Fortanix -
Best forHybrid deployments needing broad key lifecycle control
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.2
A broad lifecycle platform for hybrid and multi-cloud encryption-key management.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Thales -
Best forEnterprises combining KMS, PKI, and key injection
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.2
A broad enterprise platform for HSM-backed keys, PKI, cloud workflows, and key injection.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Futurex -
Best forLarge environments needing policy-driven orchestration
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.2
Centralizes encryption keys and certificates for large, hybrid environments.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Fornetix -
Best forVirtualized and hybrid infrastructure teams
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.2
A centralized control layer for keys, secrets, compliance, and virtualized workloads.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Entrust -
Best forHybrid enterprises needing replicated key infrastructure
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.2
A hybrid key management platform for centralized control, HSM protection, and replicated infrastructure.
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
- Customer-managed keys
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forMixed database and cloud environments
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.2
A broad key management system for teams spanning cloud, databases, backups, and PKI.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Eviden -
Best forEstablished hybrid infrastructure operators
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.2
A hybrid key manager for organizations needing centralized control, auditing, and recovery.
- HSM-backed keys
- Customer-managed keys
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Utimaco -
Best forz/OS and hybrid multicloud key orchestration
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.2
A paid key orchestration platform for IBM Z, z/OS and hybrid multicloud environments.
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
- Customer-managed keys
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit IBM -
Best forOrganizations needing broad enterprise key controls
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 8.2
Broad lifecycle controls, serving interfaces and HSM support for enterprise key management.
- Automatic key rotation
- HSM-backed keys
- Customer-managed keys
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Guardium -
Best forAWS-centric teams needing affordable managed KMS
An affordable AWS-focused KMS with encryption, signing, rotation, import, and audit controls.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit AWS KMS -
Best forIBM Cloud customers needing managed encryption keys
A capable managed key service for IBM Cloud workloads, with enterprise controls and paid plans.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
8.0/10★★★★☆Try IBM Key Protect -
Best forAlibaba Cloud users wanting a free starting tier
- Better than Azure Managed HSM:
- Free plan
A capable Alibaba Cloud KMS with free default keys and paid HSM options.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forTencent Cloud customers with low usage needs
A capable KMS for Tencent Cloud users who need flexible key control and auditability.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Tencent Cloud -
Best forHuawei Cloud workloads needing core KMS functions
A capable Huawei Cloud KMS with broad key controls but a narrow integration set.
- Automatic key rotation
- Key import
- HSM-backed keys
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Huawei Cloud
Azure Managed HSM Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Azure Managed HSM?
Fortanix Data Security Manager: #1 in our Key Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad enterprise key-management platform for multi-cloud, hybrid, and HSM-backed workflows.
Is there a free alternative to Azure Managed HSM?
Yes. Thales CipherTrust Manager and Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Azure Managed HSM alternatives?
Paid service with one listed Standard B1 plan; Cloud deployment is centered on the Azure ecosystem; Dedicated HSM architecture may exceed simpler key-management needs.
How do I switch from Azure Managed HSM?
Export your data from Azure Managed HSM (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Managed HSM.
How to Switch from Azure Managed HSM
- Export your data from Azure Managed HSM (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Managed HSM.
Azure Managed HSM vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | HSM-backed keys | Automatic key rotation | Audit logs | Deployment model | Supported key types | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Azure Managed HSM | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Both | 8.2 | |
| 1 | Fortanix Data Security Manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | Both | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Thales CipherTrust Manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | Both | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Futurex CryptoHub | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 9.1 | ||
| 4 | Fornetix Key Orchestration Platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | Both | 9.0 | ||
| 5 | Entrust KeyControl | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 8.9 | ||
| 6 | QuintessenceLabs Trusted Security Foundation | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | Both | 8.8 | |||
| 7 | Eviden KMS | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.7 | ||||
| 8 | Utimaco Enterprise Secure Key Manager | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | Both | 8.6 | |||
| 9 | IBM Unified Key Orchestrator for z/OS | No | Yes | No | Yes | Hybrid | 8.4 | ||
| 10 | IBM Guardium | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Self_hosted | 8.3 | ||
| 11 | AWS Key Management Service | No | $1/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Both | 8.1 |
| 12 | IBM Key Protect | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Symmetric | 8.0 | |
| 13 | Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Both | 7.9 | |
| 14 | Tencent Cloud Key Management Service | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Both | 7.8 | |
| 15 | Huawei Cloud Key Management Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | Both | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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