BetterCloud vs. Lumos: Which SaaS Management Platform is Right for Your Organization?

You’re managing 200+ applications across your organization. Users are signing up for new tools daily. Shadow IT is spreading faster than you can track it. Your CFO wants to know why software spending jumped 40% last quarter, and compliance is asking for an access review that would take weeks to complete manually.

This scenario plays out in organizations worldwide as SaaS adoption accelerates.

The solution?

A robust SaaS Management Platform (SMP) that provides visibility, control, and optimization across your entire software ecosystem.

In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll compare two leading SaaS management vendors: BetterCloud and Lumos. BetterCloud positions itself as a mature, all-in-one platform with deep automation capabilities. Lumos takes a modern approach with Slack-based workflows and continuous cost optimization.

Both promise to solve your SaaS sprawl challenges, but which delivers the best value for your organization?

Overview of BetterCloud

BetterCloud has been a leader in SaaS management for nearly 15 years. In G2’s Summer 2025 Report, it was recognized as a Leader in several categories, including SaaS Operations Management, User Provisioning and Governance Tools, and SaaS Spend Management.

The platform’s strength is its ability to automate IT tasks. BetterCloud helps businesses find underused SaaS apps, cut unnecessary subscriptions, and standardize software use. A recent update added smarter grouping for apps like Adobe and Atlassian in its Spend Optimization tool, making data easier to track.

BetterCloud’s automation goes beyond simple tasks. With its no-code drag-and-drop workflow builder, IT teams can automate complicated processes across multiple SaaS apps. This includes things like employee onboarding, offboarding, user provisioning, and license management.

Customers often highlight how BetterCloud reduces audit time and manages permissions in detail. The platform is also known for its strong security, including Zero Trust Networking and Data Loss Prevention features. Users like its simple interface and how it makes tough tasks easier, though some mention it takes time to learn advanced features.

Overview of Lumos

Lumos is a modern platform that helps businesses manage their apps, save money, and make IT work easier. It focuses on automating tasks and cutting down software costs by showing clear data on app usage, permissions, and spending.

One of Lumos’ best features is “Zero-Touch App Discovery.” This tool finds all the apps being used in your company, including both approved tools and hidden “shadow IT” apps that aren’t authorized. It puts all the usage and spending info into one simple dashboard, so you can make better decisions about your apps.

Lumos also helps save money with “Continuous Cost Efficiency.” It automatically takes back unused licenses, manages app renewals, and directs users to approved apps through its AppStore to avoid waste. AI tools handle renewals to make sure budgets stay on track.

Another standout feature is Lumos’ strong integration with Slack. Users can request app access and get approvals directly in Slack, making it easier for teams to stay productive and reducing IT workload.

Customers like Lumos for its user-friendly design and flexibility. It has a high rating of 4.7 out of 5 on G2 based on 54 reviews. Some users love the customer support, while others wish for faster responses.

Feature Comparison

Here’s a detailed comparison of BetterCloud and Lumos across key SaaS management capabilities:

Detailed Feature Analysis

Pricing and Value 

BetterCloud offers three pricing plans: Discover+Platform at $3/user/month, Manage+Platform at $6/user/month, and Secure+Platform at $10/user/month. All plans require yearly commitments, with annual costs ranging from $17,000 to $111,111. On average, customers get a 23% discount. 

Lumos uses custom pricing, meaning you need to contact their sales team for a quote. While this allows for tailored solutions, it doesn’t provide upfront cost details. One customer reported cutting IT ticket volumes by 20% and saving $230,000 within 90 days of using Lumos. 

Winner: Tie – BetterCloud is more transparent, but Lumos gives flexibility with custom options. 

Setup and User Experience 

It takes about 2 months to fully set up BetterCloud. Users like its simple interface and tools that make complex tasks easier. Its no-code workflow builder is great for IT teams without programming skills. 

Lumos focuses on easy design and smart features. However, some users say it has a learning curve and certain settings can be tricky. Many praise its Slack integration, which helps users feel at home. 

Winner: Lumos – Despite a learning curve, its Slack-friendly design gives it an edge. 

App Discovery and Visibility 

BetterCloud offers detailed app discovery and can group related apps together. It’s great at finding underused apps and improving usage across teams. 

Lumos has “Zero-Touch App Discovery,” which finds both approved and unapproved apps automatically. Its dashboard shows all app usage and spending in one place, helping teams make better decisions. 

Winner: Lumos – The automatic discovery and clear dashboard make it the better choice. 

Security and Compliance 

BetterCloud offers top-notch security features like Zero Trust Networking and Data Loss Prevention. It helps manage apps, data, and user roles to meet compliance standards and cut down audit time. 

Lumos uses “Advanced Access Protection,” with time-based controls to remove unused access automatically. It also uses AI to find and fix security issues, like role errors or access violations. 

Winner: BetterCloud – It has a more established track record and reliable security tools. 

Cost Management 

BetterCloud helps manage software costs through license reclamation, preventing subscription overlaps, and comparing costs to industry standards. It has saved companies like Global Payments $3 million a year. 

Lumos helps lower costs with automated license reclamation, renewal tracking, and better control of app use. It provides full visibility into spending and uses AI to avoid budget overruns. 

Winner: Tie – BetterCloud offers proven ROI examples, while Lumos focuses on automation. 

Automation Features 

BetterCloud shines with its no-code drag-and-drop workflow builder. It has over 1,000 actions across 90+ integrations and includes Slack-based approval workflows. It’s great for handling complex enterprise needs. 

Lumos offers lifecycle management with automated provisioning and self-service access requests. Its deep Slack integration supports quick access through tools like CLI, Teams, and ITSM systems. 

Winner: BetterCloud – Its large workflow library and advanced automation give it the top spot. 

Best Fit for Your Business 

BetterCloud is great for large companies with complex software needs. Its pricing and features work well for managing big software portfolios. 

Lumos is better for small to mid-sized organizations looking to simplify IT operations. It’s especially useful for companies that rely on Slack for communication. 

Winner: Depends on business size – BetterCloud suits big companies, while Lumos fits smaller, modern teams.

G2 Reviews Analysis

BetterCloud Reviews:

• “BetterCloud has transformed our IT operations by automating user lifecycle management across our entire SaaS stack. The time savings alone justify the investment.” – IT Director Review
• “The workflow builder is intuitive and powerful. We’ve automated processes that previously took hours of manual work.” – System Administrator Review
• “Great platform for large organizations, but the pricing can be steep for smaller companies.” – IT Manager Review

Lumos Reviews:

• “The Slack integration is a game-changer for our team. Access requests that used to take days now happen in minutes.” – IT Operations Manager Review
• “Lumos helped us discover shadow IT we didn’t know existed and saved us thousands in duplicate licenses.” – Security Manager Review
• “User-friendly interface, but customer support could be more responsive.” – IT Administrator Review

JumpCloud as an Alternative to BetterCloud and Lumos

JumpCloud offers a unified open directory platform that combines SaaS management with comprehensive identity and access management capabilities. Unlike traditional SaaS management tools, JumpCloud provides complete visibility and control over both sanctioned and unsanctioned applications while delivering centralized user lifecycle management across all IT resources.

Common Concerns and Issues

When evaluating BetterCloud and Lumos, organizations often face these common issues: 

• High Costs: BetterCloud’s pricing can be expensive for smaller businesses, and its limited options may lead to paying for features you don’t need. Lumos’ custom pricing isn’t transparent, meaning you might spend a lot of time just figuring out the costs. 
• Integration Problems: Both platforms offer many integrations, but users report issues with how well these actually work. Some key apps may need extra development or manual workarounds. 
• Customer Support: Feedback on support for both platforms is mixed, with some users experiencing slow responses or inconsistent help from different support channels. 
• Missing Features: Some organizations may notice gaps in areas like advanced analytics, compliance reporting, or tools for specific industries. 

How JumpCloud Solves These Problems 

JumpCloud addresses these challenges with an all-in-one platform: 

• Simplified Integrations: Instead of managing separate connections for every app, JumpCloud uses an open directory platform for managing all user identities and access. This reduces complexity and makes maintenance easier. 
• All-in-One Platform: JumpCloud combines SaaS management, identity and access controls, device management, and security tools. This means you don’t need to juggle multiple tools from different vendors. 
• Helpful Support: JumpCloud offers clear documentation, community forums, and responsive support for all users. Their platform includes unlimited remote help and self-service resources to solve issues quickly. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Solution 

When choosing between these platforms, follow these steps: 

1. Identify Your Needs: Think about what matters most—cost, security, automation, or ease of use—and use that to guide your decision. 
2. Review Integration Options: Check how well each platform works with your current tools like HR systems, identity providers, and key business apps. 
3. Test Usability: Try out the platforms to see how easy they are to use, how hard they are to set up, and how well your team adapts to them. 
4. Consider Total Costs: Look beyond subscription costs and think about implementation, training, and maintenance expenses. 
5. Evaluate Support: Test each vendor’s support during your review to see how responsive and helpful they are. 

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business 

To find the best platform, start by understanding your organization’s unique needs, goals, and challenges. This will help you align your choice with what your business actually requires to grow and improve. Talk to key stakeholders to identify pain points, must-have features, and desired outcomes, ensuring the solution you pick delivers real value. 

Scalability is another major factor. Look for a solution that can grow with your organization, whether that means more users, expanded features, or compatibility with new technologies. Choosing a scalable option now can save time and money later. 

Finally, create a clear implementation plan with specific goals and timelines. Include all relevant teams early on to ensure everyone is aligned and adoption goes smoothly. A well-planned approach will help your organization confidently choose a platform that drives better results and keeps you competitive.

The Clear Path Forward: JumpCloud for Comprehensive SaaS Management

While BetterCloud and Lumos offer strong SaaS management solutions for large enterprises and Slack-centric organizations respectively, modern IT demands a more holistic approach. Managing SaaS sprawl, shadow IT, and cost optimization requires a unified platform that combines robust SaaS management with comprehensive identity and access management (IAM).

This is where JumpCloud stands out as the superior choice.

JumpCloud goes beyond SaaS management by unifying your entire IT infrastructure. Its single, open directory platform eliminates the pain points of siloed tools. Transparent pricing makes it more accessible and scalable compared to custom-priced solutions like Lumos or the higher costs of BetterCloud for smaller teams.

JumpCloud simplifies integrations by centralizing user identities and access across all resources, reducing complexity and maintenance. Its multi-layered SaaS discovery, including a browser extension, outperforms BetterCloud and Lumos by uncovering even hard-to-detect shadow IT.

More than just discovery and cost management, JumpCloud excels in security and user experience. Features like conditional access, MFA, and device trust ensure a strong security posture, while its user-friendly interface and extensive support make it easy for IT teams to adopt and scale.

Choosing the right SaaS management platform means finding a solution that solves today’s challenges and prepares you for future growth. JumpCloud delivers the visibility, control, and optimization you need, all within a unified platform that simplifies IT operations and enhances security.

Ready to experience the JumpCloud difference for yourself?

The best way to truly understand how JumpCloud can transform your SaaS management and overall IT operations is to see it in action. We encourage you to:

• Start a free trial today. Explore JumpCloud’s full functionality with zero restrictions and discover how easily you can gain control over your SaaS environment.
• Schedule a personalized demo with a JumpCloud expert. Get a tailored walkthrough of the platform and see how JumpCloud can specifically address your organization’s unique needs and challenges.

Take the next step towards a more secure, efficient, and cost-effective IT environment. JumpCloud is ready to help you unify and simplify.