# imprivata

Source: https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/iga/imprivata/
Last updated: 2026-06-19
License: content by Start with Identity. Cite the source URL.

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## Overview

Imprivata is the dominant identity and access vendor in healthcare, known for clinical single sign-on, tap-and-go badge access, and privileged access in care settings. It sold its general identity governance ([IGA](https://startwithidentity.com/guides/fundamentals/what-is-iga/)) business to SailPoint in 2024 to focus on access and PAM for healthcare, so it is now best understood as a vertical access specialist rather than a horizontal governance platform.

## What it is good at

For healthcare, Imprivata is in a class of its own. Speed and convenience for clinicians (badge tap to switch workstations in seconds), strong shared-workstation handling, and deep familiarity with clinical workflows and regulatory requirements are unmatched in the vertical. In environments where slow logins directly impede patient care, that purpose-built convenience is a decisive advantage, backed by strong authentication and passwordless capabilities.

## Where it falls short

Outside healthcare, the story narrows sharply. Horizontal IGA is no longer its focus after the SailPoint divestiture, the developer experience is limited, and it is a vertical specialist by design rather than a general-purpose identity platform. Organizations outside care settings, or those wanting broad governance, should look elsewhere.

## Pricing

Quote-based enterprise licensing. Model it against horizontal alternatives with the [TCO calculator](https://startwithidentity.com/tools/tco-calculator/).

## Best for, and who should look elsewhere

Choose Imprivata for healthcare access: clinical SSO, tap-and-go, and care-setting PAM. For horizontal enterprise IGA, see [SailPoint vs Saviynt](https://startwithidentity.com/compare/sailpoint-vs-saviynt/); for the healthcare vertical context, see the [healthcare vertical](https://startwithidentity.com/verticals/healthcare/).

## Bottom line

The default access-and-identity choice for healthcare, unmatched for clinical SSO and shared-workstation access, and narrow outside that vertical.