TL;DR

While both solutions are in the identity and access management space, AccessOwl and Torii are not built for the same job. Torii began as a SaaS spend management platform. It's a market leader in shadow IT desicovery and license savings. They are currently expanding towards wider access workflows. AccessOwl is built for access management. It automates onboarding, offboarding, access requests, approvals and reviews, and it provisions into apps without the need for APIs, SCIM or enterprise plans.

Buyers we talked to who used Torii for access management ran into three recurring problems:

• Provisioning depends on APIs: Torii's integration directory lists 298 apps, but only 105 are compatible for creating and removing users (provisioning) (Torii integrations). You can build your own connection for other apps, but those apps need an API, and many vendors only open user management APIs on their highest priced plans.

• Access workflows often end in a manual task: By default, Torii's access workflows hand the last step to a person. An approved request sends the app owner an email. For example, temporary access was only introduced in July 2026 and still creates a task to "revoke access" for the app owner. It does not automatically deprovision the account.

• Access reviews are new and only recently automated: Torii added access reviews in 2025 on its Enterprise plan. Until automated remediation arrived in August 2026, removing the access a reviewer rejected was a task for someone to do by hand. This likely only applies to the 105 apps that are compatible in Torii for automatic user account removal. In contrast, AccessOwl automatically remediates (removes access or changes permissions) for 500+ apps.

"I’d like to see more integrations with additional systems and SaaS platforms. Some workflows feel limited and require manual adjustments to achieve accurate results, especially when dealing with complex user provisioning or license reconciliation."

Director of Operations, mid-market company, G2 review of Torii

AccessOwl as the alternative to Torii for SaaS access management

If Finance is buying a way to see and cut SaaS spend, Torii is the stronger choice. If IT is buying a way to automate access and pass audits, AccessOwl is. AccessOwl is built around access. It's for the IT team, or the person who takes care of IT on the side, who wants SaaS access to run on its own from an employee's first day to their last.

• Onboarding and offboarding run themselves: A start date or last day in your HR system triggers account creation or removal inside each app.

• Provisioning without an API: AccessOwl was a pioneer of automated provisioning without relying on SCIM. It works through a service account in each app, so apps with no API, no SCIM, or neither on your current plan are still covered.

• Access that's ready for an audit: Every request, approval and change is logged. Access with an end date is removed automatically when it ends, and access reviews are remediated automatically. That's the record ISO 27001 and SOC 2 auditors ask for.

AccessOwl works for companies from around 30 employees up through several hundred and beyond.

Maxio's two-person IT team used to spend two to three hours per app on access reviews. With AccessOwl, it takes them ten to fifteen minutes. Read more in Maxio's success story.

Why teams look for a Torii alternative

Torii is a great product for what it was built for. It finds the apps you use, shows you what you spend, and helps you cut what you don't need. Its shadow IT detection, dashboards and contract handling are genuinely strong.

The risk is buying it for access management. The buyers we talked to who did ran into three problems.

Provisioning depends on each app's API

Torii provisions through each app's API. When you connect an app and allow Torii to "Read and take action", it can add and remove users in that app "(if available)" (Torii docs).

How many apps that covers is easiest to see in Torii's own directory. It lists 298 integrations. 118 of them list an action that creates a user, 117 list one that removes a user, and 105 list both. The other 168 list no actions at all, so they give you visibility into the app but can't change who has access to it. AccessOwl's catalog of 496 SaaS apps supports provisioning and deprovisioning for every app on it.

For apps outside the directory, Torii lets you build your own connection. That runs into the same limits as the SSO tax:

• Not every app has an API that can manage access: Torii's own docs give LinkedIn Sales Navigator as an example of an app that "does not provide a user management API".

• Many APIs sit on higher-priced plans: Torii's Slack docs say "Managing users from within Torii requires a Business+ or Enterprise Grid account" (Torii docs). Its Miro integration needs Miro's Enterprise plan, and Figma needs the Organization or Enterprise plan.

Where Torii can't act inside an app, offboarding goes to a person. Torii sends the app owner an email or Slack message asking them to remove the account. Its offboarding docs are open about what that means:

"Torii cannot definitively confirm if the user has been removed; it relies entirely on the status reported by the task owner."

Torii's offboarding documentation

AccessOwl doesn't need an API. It provisions through a service account on the plan you already pay for, including Slack on any paid plan.

Access workflows often end in a manual task

Torii's access features have grown quickly over the last year. Its new App Access Catalog, generally available since July 2026, added access profiles, approval flows and time-limited access.

Before that release buyers told us the request side was the weak spot. A senior systems administrator at a 160-person fintech that ran Torii described what they couldn't do:

"It's not customizable. On access requests there's no field for why you want this tool."

Senior systems administrator, 160-person fintech (April 2026)

Torii has since added both. But in both cases the default ends with a person doing the work. When temporary access expires, Torii's docs say "Every organization starts with a default deprovisioning workflow that creates a Revoke access task for the app owner". Approved requests work the same way. The default provisioning workflow sends an email to the app owner. Access is only removed or granted automatically when you build a workflow that runs an API action for that app, which brings you back to the provisioning model above.

In AccessOwl, the account is created as soon as the last approval is in. When time-limited access ends, AccessOwl removes it inside the app.

Access reviews are new and only recently automated

Torii added access reviews in 2025, on its Enterprise plan. Traditionally a rejected user became a remediation task. A Torii reviewer on G2 described the setup in July 2026:

"setting up the access reviews has been confusing and not yet effective for our team."

Verified user, Renewables & Environment, mid-market company, G2 review of Torii

For a company working toward ISO 27001 or SOC 2, reviews are where the gaps show. Auditors want to see that access was requested, approved, limited in time and reviewed. In AccessOwl, reviewers see how each person got their access, who approved it and earlier review decisions. Access they flag is removed in the same session.

Comparing Torii v.s. AccessOwl: Features and Pricing

Integration counts from Torii's integrations directory (actions listed on each app page) and AccessOwl's integrations page. Pricing from Vendr, based on 53 purchases. October 2026.

Provisioning and app coverage

Torii

• API-based actions: Torii adds and removes users through each app's API, where the integration supports it. Some actions run over the app's SCIM API, such as Miro and monday.com.

• A directory with mixed capabilities: 298 integrations are listed. 105 list actions to both create and remove a user, and 168 list none. Popular apps like Confluence, Intercom, Sentry and AWS IAM show visibility only.

• Build your own, with an API: Integration Builder (Enterprise) pulls data from any app with an API. Custom actions can then write to that API.

• A task for everything else: Apps without an API get an email or Slack request to the app owner. Torii logs the step, with an audit trail, but can't confirm the account was removed.

AccessOwl

• Every app in the catalog is automated: 500+ integrations are listed. 496 are SaaS apps, and each one supports provisioning and deprovisioning.

• No API or SCIM needed: AccessOwl automates apps that offer neither, on the plan you already have.

• Service accounts first: Most apps run through browser automation on a service account. SCIM and APIs are still used where they're the better fit.

An information security manager at a 150-person hospitality software company, who trialled both AccessOwl and Torii told us:

"For me, the most important feature is the fact that the provisioning does not rely on SCIM. And I really love the fact that you can rely on a service account for some more provisioning, deprovisioning."

Information security manager, 150-person hospitality software company

Onboarding and Offboarding

Torii

• No-code workflows: Onboarding can start from a start date in your HR system, for example seven days before day one. Templates cover department-based onboarding and real-time offboarding.

• Offboarding set up per app: Torii's docs say you "need to go over all discovered apps and configure each app with a dedicated offboarding method."

• Automated where there's an API: Apps with API actions are handled in the workflow. Other apps get a remove-user request to their owner, or a ticket in your service desk.

AccessOwl

• Onboarding from the HRIS: A new start date applies the access template for the role, and the manager can adjust it for the individual hire.

• Accounts ready on the first morning: Accounts and permissions are created inside each app before day one, down to Slack channels and team spaces.

• Offboarding from the HRIS: Once the last workday has passed, AccessOwl removes access inside each app and logs each step as audit evidence.

• Shadow IT at offboarding: The Shadow IT scan lists apps the person signed up for without IT, so nothing gets missed on the way out.

Integrations with IdP & HRIS systems

Torii

• Identity providers: Okta, Entra ID, Google Workspace, OneLogin, JumpCloud and PingOne.

• HR systems: Torii's help center lists connectors for systems like BambooHR, HiBob, Personio, Rippling, Workday HCM and UKG Pro. It adds new ones regularly.

AccessOwl

• Google Workspace and Microsoft first: Built for teams whose main identity layer is Google Workspace or Microsoft Entra, and it works with Okta too.

• No migration: AccessOwl sits on top of what you already run and can be live within a day.

• HR systems: Connects to 54 HRIS systems out of the box.

Shadow IT discovery

Torii

• A core strength: Shadow IT discovery was the first thing Torii built, and it's what the product is best known for.

• Several sources combined: Torii pulls from a browser extension, SSO and identity provider data, direct integrations, and finance and expense tools that show where you're paying for software.

• Detailed usage data: The browser extension shows which apps people actually log in to, as long as every employee runs it. Admins can force-install it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Safari isn't supported.

"Torii is super great at that. If someone goes and starts using a new app that's not in our systems, I get notified. "

IT operations lead, 100-person insurance software company

AccessOwl

• Nothing to install: AccessOwl finds apps through sign-in logs from Google Workspace and Microsoft and by scanning for invitation emails, so it doesn't depend on employees.

• Apps without "Sign in with Google": An advanced scan picks up apps people signed up for with a password.

Self service access requests

Torii

• A catalog in several places: Employees request apps from Torii's web catalog, its Slack or Teams agent, the API or MCP. Managers can request on behalf of others.

• Approval flows and time limits: Multi-step approvals and temporary access arrived with the new catalog in 2026.

• Provisioning by email by default: Once a request is approved, the default workflow emails the app owner. Automatic provisioning needs a workflow with an API action for that app.

AccessOwl

• Request in Slack or on the web: Employees pick an app and a permission level in a few clicks. Managers can ask on behalf of colleagues and contractors.

• Approvals routed to the right person: The approver, usually the manager or IT admin, gets a one-click task in Slack, email or the dashboard. Admin roles can require a longer approval chain.

• Account created on sign-off: Once the last approval is in, AccessOwl creates the account at the requested level.

• Every step on record: Who asked, who approved and when are all logged, ready to hand to an auditor.

Time-based access works the same way. Set an end date for a contractor or a short stint on a sensitive system, and AccessOwl removes the access when it passes.

viafintech, a SOC 1-regulated fintech, uses AccessOwl for access requests:

"Nowadays the same process takes less than a minute and works with the click of a button."

Martin Seener, Senior Director of IT Administration, from viafintech's success story

Access Reviews and Audit Evidence

Torii

• Enterprise plan: Access reviews launched in 2025 and are available on Torii's Enterprise plan.

• Campaigns and recommendations: Reviewers work through campaigns with Torii's recommendations, and can now run recurring and risk-based reviews.

• Remediation: Automated remediation arrived in August 2026, for apps Torii can act on. For apps it isn't connected to, the reviewer uploads a user list first.

AccessOwl

• Users pulled from apps: AccessOwl imports users and permissions from each connected app and flags former employees and accounts that match no one in your directory.

• Context for every decision: Reviewers see how access was granted, who approved it, earlier review decisions and recent changes.

• Fixed during the review: Access a reviewer flags is removed right away, with no follow-up ticket.

• Evidence for auditors: Each decision is saved with the reviewer's reason. Export the report or push it to Vanta for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 audits.

Pricing

Torii

• No public pricing: Torii's pricing page lists three products (SaaS Management, Identity Governance and AI Management), each with a custom quote.

• What buyers pay: Procurement data from Vendr across 53 purchases puts the median at about $32,000 a year, in a range of roughly $14,000 to $53,500.

AccessOwl

• Published prices: AccessOwl's prices are on its website, so you can estimate your cost before talking to anyone.

• No SSO tax: Because AccessOwl provisions through a service account on your current plan, you don't upgrade apps to unlock their APIs. That SSO tax can add tens of thousands of dollars a year.

• No seat minimum: There's no minimum number of seats or employees, just a $250 monthly minimum spend.

Who Torii is best for

Torii is a better fit when you:

• Have Finance as the main stakeholder, with a goal of cutting SaaS waste

• Want license optimization, contract and renewal management, and spend forecasts in one place

• Want one platform shared by Finance, IT, Security and Procurement

• Mostly use apps in Torii's directory that support user actions on the plan you have

Who AccessOwl is better for

AccessOwl is a better fit than Torii when you:

• Are looking to save time for the IT team

• Want onboarding, offboarding and access requests to create and remove accounts on their own

• Use apps without a usable API or SCIM, or on plans that don't include them

• Have ISO 27001 or SOC 2 requirements and need requests, approvals and reviews on record

Questions to decide between Torii and AccessOwl

• Who is driving this purchase: Finance cutting SaaS spend, or IT automating SaaS access?

• Which of your apps will create and remove accounts automatically, and which will end in a task for someone?

• When temporary access ends, is it removed inside the app, or does someone get a reminder to do it?

• Which of your apps keep their user-management API on a higher plan, and what would those upgrades cost?

Note: This article was written on October 6, 2026 with information available to us from conversations with buyers and public information about Torii. If any information is inaccurate or misrepresents Torii, get in touch with us.

FAQs

Does Torii support automated provisioning?

Yes, for apps where it can use the app's API. Torii's directory lists 298 integrations, and 105 of them list actions to both create and remove a user. For other apps, you can build a connection with Integration Builder (an Enterprise feature) and custom actions, as long as the app has a public API. Where there's no API, Torii sends the app owner a request to add or remove the account. AccessOwl provisions through service accounts and browser automation, so it doesn't need an API. Its catalog lists 496 SaaS apps, each with automated provisioning and deprovisioning.

How does Torii discover shadow IT?

Torii combines a browser extension (Chrome, Edge and Firefox) with SSO and identity provider data, direct integrations and finance and expense tools. The extension gives the most detailed usage data when every employee runs it. Admins can force-install it, but in the recommended mode each employee signs in once, and Safari isn't supported. AccessOwl uses sign-in logs from Google Workspace and Microsoft and scans for invitation emails, so there's nothing for employees to install.

How much does Torii cost?

Torii doesn't publish pricing. Each of its three products (SaaS Management, Identity Governance and AI Management) is quoted individually. Procurement data from Vendr across 53 purchases puts the median at about $32,000 a year. Where an app keeps its user-management API on a higher plan, that upgrade is an extra cost. AccessOwl publishes its pricing, and its provisioning doesn't depend on those upgrades.

Can I use Torii and AccessOwl together?

Yes. Some teams keep Torii for spend, licenses and shadow IT discovery, and use AccessOwl for access requests, approvals and provisioning. One of our customers runs both: Torii's app catalog didn't connect to their ticketing for access, so AccessOwl took over requests and provisioning while Torii stayed with Finance.

When should I choose AccessOwl as the alternative to Torii?

AccessOwl is the right alternative to Torii when IT is the buyer and the goal is automating access; you want onboarding, offboarding and access requests to create and remove accounts on their own; you use apps without a usable API or SCIM; you need requests, approvals and reviews on record for ISO 27001 or SOC 2; and you want published pricing at a company of around 30 employees up to several hundred and beyond.

How do I know if Torii is the right solution for me?

Is Finance the main stakeholder, with a goal of cutting SaaS waste? Do you want license optimization, contracts, renewals and spend forecasts in one place? Can you roll a browser extension out across the company? Are most of your apps in Torii's directory, with user actions available on the plans you have? If most of the answers are yes, Torii is likely a strong fit.