Entra ID vs Bravura Pass for Enterprise Password Management

John White

November 27, 2025

Password Management Bravura Pass 2025

In-Depth Comparison

Enterprise IT Directors and Architects across all industries face mounting challenges in password management—balancing security, compliance, and user experience at scale. As organizations evaluate solutions like Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and Bravura Pass, it’s critical to understand that these platforms serve different needs. This post clarifies why Bravura Pass and Entra ID aren’t direct substitutes and highlights the unique value Bravura Pass brings to enterprise password management. 


Quick Summary:  
  • Bravura Pass and Microsoft Entra ID both offer password management, but with distinct capabilities. 
  • Entra ID provides self-service password reset (SSPR) and basic identity management. 
  • Bravura Pass delivers advanced security, granular controls, and a superior user experience. 
  • IT Directors and Architects benefit from Bravura Pass’s enterprise-grade features across industries. 
  • Choosing the right solution impacts security, compliance, and operational efficiency. 
  • Explore Bravura Pass to see how it can transform your organization’s password management. 

 

What Is Microsoft Entra ID and Its Password Management Features?

Microsoft Entra ID, formerly known as Azure Active Directory, is a cloud-based identity and access management solution. Its password management features center on Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR), allowing users to reset their passwords without IT intervention. Entra ID integrates with Microsoft 365 and other cloud services, providing basic password policy enforcement, multi-factor authentication, and user self-service capabilities. Typical use cases include organizations seeking to streamline password resets and reduce helpdesk calls within the Microsoft ecosystem.

What Does Bravura Pass Offer That Entra ID Does Not?

Bravura Pass is purpose-built for enterprise password management, going far beyond the basics of SSPR. Key differentiators include:

  • Advanced password synchronization across diverse systems (on-premises, cloud, legacy). 
  • Granular policy enforcement and customizable workflows for complex environments.
  • Robust auditing, reporting, and compliance features for regulated industries.
  • Enhanced user experience with intuitive self-service portals and delegated administration.
  • Integration with a wide range of directories, applications, and privileged access systems.

These capabilities empower IT Directors and Architects to enforce security best practices, reduce risk, and streamline operations—regardless of the underlying infrastructure.

Why It’s Not an Apples-to-Apples Comparison

While Entra ID focuses on password management within the Microsoft ecosystem, Bravura Pass is built for enterprises that operate across diverse platforms and complex identity infrastructures. Rather than extending Entra ID, Bravura Pass takes a broader, platform-agnostic approach—addressing security, compliance, and usability challenges that span beyond Microsoft environments. For organizations managing hybrid or legacy systems, or those with stringent regulatory needs, Bravura Pass delivers capabilities that go far deeper than what Entra ID was designed to provide. 

Customer Proof and Industry Examples 

Organizations in financial services, higher education, energy, and healthcare have adopted Bravura Pass to solve real-world challenges: 

  • A large global bank enables more than 100,000 password unlocks each month without calling the help desk — improving both user productivity and IT efficiency (source).  
  • A U.S. university implemented Bravura Pass to automatically synchronize passwords across all systems whenever users change them, enhancing security and reducing support costs (source). 
  • After deploying Bravura Pass in the cloud, BCBSNC reduced password support calls by 80%” (source). 

What IT Directors and Architects Should Consider When Choosing 

When evaluating enterprise password management solutions, IT Directors and Architects should focus on: 

  • Security: Does the solution support advanced policies, auditing, and integration with privileged access management? 
  • Compliance: Can it meet industry-specific regulations and reporting requirements? 
  • Usability: Will it reduce friction for end users and administrators? 
  • Flexibility: Does it support your entire IT landscape, not just Microsoft environments? 

The right choice will strengthen your overall identity management strategy and future-proof your organization against evolving threats. 

Comparison Table

Category 

Microsoft Entra ID 

Bravura Pass 

Core Purpose 

Identity and access management for Microsoft cloud environments 

Enterprise password management across hybrid, on-premises, and multi-cloud systems 

Password Reset 

Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) for Microsoft 365 and Azure AD accounts 

Self-service, delegated, and mass password resets across all systems (cloud, legacy, on-prem) 

Password Sync & Policy Enforcement 

Basic password policy controls within the Microsoft ecosystem 

Advanced synchronization across directories and platforms; granular, NIST-aligned password policy enforcement 

Compliance & Auditing 

Limited reporting tied to Azure AD logs 

Comprehensive auditing, compliance dashboards, and automated reporting for regulated industries (e.g., HIPAA, SOX, PCI DSS) 

Integration Flexibility 

Designed primarily for Microsoft services 

Broad integrations across directories, privileged access systems, and custom enterprise applications via REST APIs 

Security Features 

MFA integration, basic monitoring 

Real-time password strength analysis, dark-web exposure checks, and breach response workflows 

Scalability 

Optimized for Microsoft 365-centric organizations 

Built for heterogeneous, enterprise-scale environments with complex identity infrastructures 

User Experience 

Native Microsoft interface 

Modern, brandable portals for employees and admins with mobile and web self-service 

Deployment Options 

Cloud-only (Azure) 

On-premises, cloud, or hybrid deployment options 

Best Fit For 

Microsoft-centric organizations seeking basic SSPR and identity controls 

Enterprises requiring full-spectrum password management, hybrid coverage, and compliance assurance 

Platform Coverage 

Cloud-first: limited to Entra ID (Azure AD) and synced on-prem AD via Entra Connect. No non-Windows or legacy coverage. 

Hybrid and multi-directory:supports on-prem AD, Entra ID, LDAP, Unix/Linux, macOS, and custom legacy systems. 

Password Reset 

Self-service reset only for Entra ID and optionally AD; sync may be delayed and lacks cross-platform automation. 

Unified self-service reset across hybrid and legacy systems, and delegated workflows. 

Assisted Reset (Help Desk Delegation) 

Microsoft SSPR offers user-initiated self-service; administrators require elevated access in Entra ID. 

Help desks can securely perform password resets without elevated privileges, using caller verification and audit tracking. 

Mass Password Reset 

No equivalent feature — resets are user-initiated only. 

Built-in mass reset engine for scheduled or emergency resets with secure credential delivery via Bravura Safe. 

Security & Compliance 

Basic complexity and banned-password enforcement. No dark-web or live strength feedback. 

Enforces NIST-compliant policies, integrates real-time password strength feedback and breach checks. Includes compliance dashboards. 

User Experience 

Standard Microsoft UX, limited customization and branding options. 

Modern, fully customizable UX with branding, policy guidance, multilingual support, and accessibility. 

Credential Delivery 

Limited to standard verification methods (email, SMS, Microsoft Authenticator). 

Integrated with Bravura Safe for secure password or token delivery channels. 

Reporting & Analytics 

Basic audit logs through Entra portal; limited cross-system visibility. 

Centralized dashboard with real-time password analytics, compliance visibility, and rapid breach-response insight. 

Integration & APIs 

API support limited to Entra ID Graph/Microsoft Graph; scoped to cloud identity only. 

REST APIs for automation, orchestration, and custom workflows across identity ecosystem. 

Deployment Flexibility 

Cloud-only (Entra ID) with dependency on Microsoft 365 tenant. 

On-prem, cloud, or hybrid deployment to meet security and regulatory needs. 

Licensing & Cost 

Requires Entra ID Premium (P1/P2) license per user. 

Included in Bravura Security suite; flexible modular licensing across Privilege, Identity, and Safe. 

 

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FAQs:

Q: How does Bravura Pass improve enterprise password management compared to Entra ID? 

A: Bravura Pass offers advanced security features and user-friendly management tools tailored for IT Directors and Architects across industries, providing enhanced control beyond Entra ID’s standard capabilities. 

Q: Is Bravura Pass suitable for all industries? 

A: Yes, Bravura Pass is designed to meet the enterprise password management needs of diverse industries, ensuring compliance and security at scale. 

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