Active Directory stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find and use. Active Directory uses a structured data store as the basis for a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Active Directory | 3.3% |
| Microsoft Entra ID | 24.5% |
| Okta Workforce Identity | 10.4% |
| Other | 61.8% |
| Type | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Single Sign-On (SSO) | Aug 27, 2025 | Download |
| Product | Reviews, tips, and advice from real users | Aug 27, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Active Directory vs Microsoft Entra ID | Aug 27, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Active Directory vs Okta Workforce Identity | Aug 27, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Active Directory vs Ping Identity Platform | Aug 27, 2025 | Download |
| Title | Rating | Mindshare | Recommending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Entra ID | 4.3 | 24.5% | 95% | 235 interviewsAdd to research |
| Fortinet FortiAuthenticator | 4.0 | 6.9% | 87% | 62 interviewsAdd to research |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 16 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 6 |
| Large Enterprise | 19 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 68 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 39 |
| Large Enterprise | 170 |
This data store, also known as the directory, contains information about Active Directory objects. These objects typically include shared resources such as servers, volumes, printers, and the network user and computer accounts.
Security is integrated with Active Directory through logon authentication and access control to objects in the directory. With a single network logon, administrators can manage directory data and organization throughout their network, and authorized network users can access resources anywhere on the network. Policy-based administration eases the management of even the most complex network.
| Author info | Rating | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|
| senior consutant at HCLSoftware | 4.5 | Active Directory provides centralized identity and access management and integrates well with Microsoft products like Windows and Office 365. Its valuable features streamline user management, though improved group management and report generation are needed due to current UI limitations. |
| Technical Specialist at Infosys | 4.5 | No summary available |
| Network Security Administrator at a retailer with 51-200 employees | 3.5 | We use Microsoft Active Directory to efficiently manage users and computers with over 200 employees. Its features, such as OUs and groups, integrate well with Microsoft products, though improvements are needed in Group Policy functionality. We utilize Microsoft Azure. |
| Network & Security Section Head/Digital Transformation at City Edge | 4.5 | I’ve used Microsoft Active Directory for three years and find it stable, scalable, and easy to set up, though ADFS is complex on-premises. Group Policies are especially helpful, despite high cloud costs and no direct ROI. |
| Infrastructure Senior Specialist at IVG | 4.5 | I find Microsoft Active Directory valuable for its authentication feature. However, it could improve by adapting its infrastructure to current security changes. I haven't considered other solutions and haven't specified a deployment or cloud provider. |
| Regional IT Infrastructure Manager at a retailer with 5,001-10,000 employees | 4.0 | We use Microsoft Active Directory in a hybrid environment with Azure Directory on-premises. Its group policies are valuable for setting password policies, but migrating fully to the cloud poses technical and cost challenges, especially due to missing features and subscription fees. |
| Information Technology Specialist at stelios@biolandenergy.com | 4.5 | I find Microsoft Active Directory enhances tools effectively, allowing control over devices through centralized group policies. While useful with noticeable ROI, the synchronization could be simpler, and improvements are needed in usability and update frequency. Previously, I used Spitterest. |
| Senior Systems Engineer at Virtual IT Group - Australia | 5.0 | No summary available |
