# teleport-vs-strongdm

Source: https://startwithidentity.com/compare/teleport-vs-strongdm/
Last updated: 2026-10-16
License: content by Start with Identity. Cite the source URL.

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## The honest comparison

Teleport and StrongDM are the modern answer to privileged access for infrastructure, replacing shared SSH keys, bastion hosts, and standing database credentials. Both put an identity-aware layer in front of servers, Kubernetes, and databases with session recording and audit. Teleport leans into short-lived certificates and an open-source core; StrongDM emphasizes a unified proxy with fast onboarding and broad protocol coverage. Ownership now differs too: [Delinea](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/pam/delinea/) completed its acquisition of StrongDM on 5 March 2026, so StrongDM is sold as part of a broader PAM portfolio while Teleport remains independent.

## When Teleport wins

- You want certificate-based, short-lived access rather than brokered credentials
- An open-source core and the ability to self-host matter to your team
- Kubernetes, SSH, and infrastructure access for engineers is the primary use case
- You value identity-native access tied to SSO with no standing secrets

## When StrongDM wins

- You want a single control plane across many resource types with quick rollout
- Database access governance, with granular policies and observability, is the priority
- Centralized onboarding and offboarding across heterogeneous infrastructure matters
- You prefer a managed proxy model over operating certificate infrastructure

## Pricing

Teleport has an open-source community edition plus commercial Enterprise and Cloud tiers. StrongDM is a commercial product, now quoted through Delinea, with onboarding that emphasizes time to value.

## Verdict

Pick [Teleport](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/pam/teleport/) if certificate-native, open-source-rooted access for engineers and infrastructure is the goal. Pick [StrongDM](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/pam/strongdm/) if a unified, quickly deployed proxy across databases and servers with strong governance is what you need. Both are a clear step up from traditional bastions. For credential-vaulting-first programs, compare with enterprise PAM such as [CyberArk vs BeyondTrust](https://startwithidentity.com/compare/cyberark-vs-beyondtrust/) and the [PAM category](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/pam/).