AWS Directory Service vs Workspace ONE UEM comparison

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Omnissa are both solutions in the Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) category. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ranked #18 with an average rating of 8.3, while Omnissa is ranked #16 with an average rating of 8.0. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 1.0% mindshare in IAMS, compared to Omnissa’s 1.8% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Amazon Web Services (AWS) users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 84% of Omnissa users who would recommend it.

AWS Directory Service

Read 16 AWS Directory Service reviews

1,473 Views
1,399 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Workspace ONE UEM

Read 102 Workspace ONE UEM reviews

14,351 Views
1,722 Comparison Views

84% willing to recommend

AWS Directory Service

Workspace ONE UEM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 2, 2024

Workspace ONE UEM and AWS Directory Service are key players in enterprise management, with Workspace ONE UEM having the upper hand in mobile device management features and AWS Directory Service offering cost-effectiveness and seamless integration capabilities.

Features: Workspace ONE UEM provides a comprehensive suite of mobile device management features, including shared device mode, REST API integration, and secure email gateway. AWS Directory Service offers identity management functionalities, secure access protocols, and integration with AWS resources, although its mobile management features are limited.

Room for Improvement: Workspace ONE UEM could enhance its reporting capabilities, BYOD solutions, and Apple device support. AWS Directory Service needs better security protocol clarity and expanded integration options with traditional directory services, along with improvements in cloud watch service configuration.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Workspace ONE UEM allows flexible deployment across various cloud configurations, with a generally responsive customer support system. AWS Directory Service is primarily cloud-focused with mixed reviews on support, highlighting inconsistencies in entry-level assistance.

Pricing and ROI: Workspace ONE UEM is often seen as expensive, particularly for SMBs, whereas AWS Directory Service is viewed as cost-effective, offering efficient pricing management. AWS shows a quicker ROI for identity tasks, while Workspace ONE UEM provides long-term savings in secured environments.

To learn more, read our detailed AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM

August 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 909,725 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

AWS Directory Service

Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)

18th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Workspace ONE UEM

Ranking in Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)

16th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

102

Ranking in other categories

Remote Access (13th), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (8th), Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) (4th), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) category, the mindshare of AWS Directory Service is 1.0%, down from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Workspace ONE UEM is 1.8%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Workspace ONE UEM	1.8%
AWS Directory Service	1.0%
Other	97.2%

Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)

Featured Reviews

Akram Zaki

IT Specialist at FlairsTech

Hybrid directory service has streamlined global server access and supported reliable daily operations

Some features in AWS Directory Service are not automated and are not scriptable, so they require manual work. In today's world where everything is pretty much automated and scriptable using AI, this is a downside. The price is another concern. AWS is really expensive. They provide an awesome service in general, but it's still expensive, very expensive. AD Connector is an application which connects my own Active Directory to AWS Directory Service or AWS infrastructure. There is a bit of latency which is bound by the AD Connector availability. If the AD Connector is having issues, there is a bit of latency, but in general, it's way better than Microsoft Azure. Still, it could be better. The migration was a bit challenging and required intensive planning and migration time. That is always a hassle. No matter which cloud environment you're moving into, the migration is sensitive because you're generally moving from on-premise to a cloud environment, so there is downtime and there are unexpected issues and errors. It needs very careful planning before doing the migration itself. AWS Directory Service is lacking a few things which could be better. Single sign-on federation is missing. SCIM provisioning is not available. In my company, we use other services for SSO federation, SCIM provisioning, and authentication because of these gaps. I would like AWS Directory Service to enroll a multi-factor authentication method. I would like to have an SSO federation where users, if we're hosting applications in AWS, would not need to log in to each application. Single sign-on would log in the user to their account and from there they can open all their applications without requiring a login each time. One of the other cons in AWS is that directories cannot span multiple regions because it's a region-bound architecture. This requires several directories for multi-region deployment. This is the case on my end because my company has several branches all over the world, so it requires several deployments.

Read full review

Vishal Bhatia

Trainer/Consultant at Koenig Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Effective product tracking and monitoring enhances daily operations despite needing documentation improvement

The documentation part of Workspace ONE UEM can be confusing. The documentation is not comprehensive compared to other VMware solutions or Microsoft documentation. Most people struggle to connect the dots when looking at the documentation. Even the training material and PowerPoint slide decks that trainers use are sometimes too confusing or overwhelming, with too much content but not enough clarity. The support side has recently become weaker compared to what it used to be with VMware. This is another area that needs improvement. Since working with Workspace ONE UEM from when it was AirWatch, it has improved significantly over the last five years. However, there are still some gray areas and scope for improvement, especially in documentation and workflow between different aspects of the solution.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Two-step authentication is very useful and important."

"Technical support is very knowledgeable and responds very quickly."

"We can provide specific access to people based on what they need from our accounts."

"The most valuable feature is that because it's all in the cloud, you don't need to manage the infrastructure."

"AWS Directory Service is very useful; it is a role-based mechanism, similar to identity management, and it is one of the most useful AWS features."

"The most valuable feature is ease of use."

"This solution does what we want to achieve."

"It's a pretty good solution in terms of performance with good availability and minimal downtime."

More AWS Directory Service pros

"It has all of the features that we need to use and that we want to use."

"VMware Workspace ONE in the mobile space has been very sustained in terms of how they've been rated and how they've grown over time."

"It has improved the way our organization functions; it provides security, and if an employee loses his or her phone or someone steals it, the data on the phone itself is secured because you can just centrally disable everything, so you only lose the device but not the data."

"The Client Control feature in VMware Workspace ONE is most valuable for managing client devices, including mobile devices and laptops. Another impactful feature is the per-service tooling, allowing access to the data centre on a per-application basis. We use the complete VMware stack, integrating Horizon for application delivery and Carbon Black for endpoint protection. We have outsourced our device management, which streamlines our IT tasks as our supplier handles them competitively."

"The solution has proven to be very stable."

"Workspace One is a product that I strongly recommend."

"The Workspace ONE UEM interface is very easy to understand; there are not many doubts regarding configuration and providing use cases, so it's good."

"The most valuable features in VMware Identity Manager for me are the control groups and rules."

More Workspace ONE UEM pros

Cons

"The group policy can be improved."

"To get CloudWatch to monitor your memory and storage, you have to do some configuration within your server, which sometimes results in errors."

"I've encountered challenges, particularly with Amazon WorkDocs, which is being deprecated. This has made it necessary to find an alternative document management solution that can handle editing, sharing, and workflow management for documents like Word files and PDFs."

"The solution lacks certain features."

"Currently, there is no option to integrate our on-premises Cisco AWS Directory Service, requiring some manual configuration. If AWS Active Directory Service provided additional domain controller functionalities, like other on-premises Active Directory, it would be very helpful."

"AWS could improve the number of regions. Azure has passed them. The ned more consistency, as far as the Northeast is concerned."

"AWS is really expensive. They provide an awesome service in general, but it's still expensive, very expensive."

"I would like to grant partial access to a table contained in a database without having to provide full access to the whole database."

More AWS Directory Service cons

"VMware should develop an integrated platform for their security products to give a singular integrated and holistic view of the devices covered by different security products whether Workspace One or Carbon Black."

"The length of time it takes to deploy an application could improve."

"We'd like more useful support."

"I tried to use the tool on an encrypted disk, but it was inconvenient."

"A room for improvement for this product is its integration with Microsoft. It could be better, though most of it is there."

"In terms of the inventory management side, as in the invoice management, the stock management and the entire inventory of an organization is lagging a bit in comparison to Blackberry or other EMM solutions."

"Pricing is the only challenge right now. The licensing fee should be simplified a little bit. They have kept too many products as add ons. These need to be bundled with the low-cost, standard version. This will help customers in adopting this technology at a faster pace."

"Cost of licensing is quite high."

More Workspace ONE UEM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"AWS' pricing is fair, and costs can be cut if you look carefully at when you're using it."

"The pricing is reasonable."

"We pay an annual subscription fee."

"The pricing depends because with AWS there are two types of directory objects: 30,000 and 500,000. It varies. AWS provides the pricing calculators so we can get an estimate from there as per the company requirement of how many users and objects that we need to create. So we can go to that portal, put in the data, and get the quotation. There are no extra licensing fees. It's all included."

"In terms of pricing, this solution is definitely much more expensive compared to other solutions, like MobileIron or MaaS360 or any other product in the market. This solution is more expensive by 30 or 40 percent."

"We've purchased various licenses for VMware Workspace ONE, including premium and gold tiers. These licenses include security measures and support for managing telecom expenses like data and voice usage."

"It is quite expensive, but I think large companies have agreements with these organizations that provide remote monitoring for phones, and they get massive discounts. The public price does not reflect what they pay. You won't get the same pricing if you're buying for 10 employees versus 1,000 employees. On the public price, you get perhaps a 10% discount, but if you're buying 1,000, the discount could be really massive, especially if you signed a contract for a number of years."

"The tool is expensive."

"AirWatch would benefit from reducing the license pricing per user per month. Microsoft bundles everything, and then that bundling makes the product free for the customers."

"The cost is a little bit high."

"It's an expensive tool."

"The license is paid annually."

More Workspace ONE UEM pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

909,725 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Performing Arts

Government

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	40
Midsize Enterprise	22
Large Enterprise	60

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for AWS Directory Service?

The pricing is very good because it is low and there is no management cost. You do not need to hire any system administrator to manage your Active Directory.

See all answers

What needs improvement with AWS Directory Service?

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering AWS Directory Service?

I would like AWS Directory Service to enroll a multi-factor authentication method. I would like to have an SSO federation where users, if we're hosting applications in AWS, would not need to log in...

See all answers

How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

Microsoft Intune is a great tool for managing a mobile device fleet while keeping access control. The solution makes it easy to control security and manage the usage of mobile apps when you have a ...

See all answers

How does VMware Workspace One compare with VMware Horizon 7?

VMware Workspace One has a powerful set of helpful features. The solution offers very good documentation, the initial setup is easy, and the product is very stable and reliable. I think the fact th...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware Horizon Air?

I don't deal with the pricing side, so I don't have any insight about it. That's what the organization would have already handled in their environment or maybe they are comparing it with products s...

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Entra ID vs AWS Directory Service

Compared 27% of the time

Okta Platform vs AWS Directory Service

Compared 21% of the time

Google Cloud Identity vs AWS Directory Service

Compared 11% of the time

SailPoint Identity Security Cloud vs AWS Directory Service

Compared 9% of the time

Omada Identity vs AWS Directory Service

Compared 7% of the time

More AWS Directory Service Competitors

Microsoft Intune vs Workspace ONE UEM

Compared 12% of the time

Jamf Pro vs Workspace ONE UEM

Compared 5% of the time

IBM MaaS360 vs Workspace ONE UEM

Compared 4% of the time

SOTI MobiControl vs Workspace ONE UEM

Compared 4% of the time

Horizon 8 vs Workspace ONE UEM

Compared 3% of the time

More Workspace ONE UEM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

AWS Directory Service

August 2026

Download AWS Directory Service product report

Buyer's Guide

Workspace ONE UEM

July 2026

Download Workspace ONE UEM product report

Also Known As

AWS Managed Microsoft AD

VMware Workspace ONE, VMware AirWatch, Workspace ONE Assist, VMware Identity Manager, Workspace ONE Access, VMware Horizon Air

Overview

AWS Directory Service offers a cloud-based infrastructure for managing secure access, allowing seamless integration with other services and reducing hardware costs. It enhances reliability and access management for enterprises.

AWS Directory Service is integrated with Amazon services such as EC2 and RDS, providing high availability, quick replication, and seamless disaster recovery. Its cloud-based nature eliminates the need for hardware management, delivering cost efficiency and robust secure access management. Users benefit from its role-based mechanisms, redundancy, scalability, and low downtime, addressing diverse access and management needs. Despite its strengths, difficulties with integration, automation, and user interface have been noted. The lack of single sign-on and multi-factor authentication, along with challenges in migration and configuration, highlight areas for improvement. Users also desire expanded regional coverage and better integration with CloudWatch.

What are the key features of AWS Directory Service?

Cloud Infrastructure: Provides a cloud-based directory eliminating the need for physical hardware.
Secure Access Management: Ensures managed access and hybrid operations across networks.
Integration with EC2 and RDS: Supports seamless integration with Amazon EC2 and RDS.
High Availability: Offers robust and reliable directory service with minimal downtime.
Role-Based Mechanisms: Allows precise control over permissions and access levels.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Cost Efficiency: Saves expenses related to hardware and its maintenance.
Scalability: Adapts to increasing company needs effortlessly.
Performance: Delivers consistent directory performance without disruptions.
Redundancy: Provides exceptional backup solutions to prevent data loss.

AWS Directory Service is predominantly leveraged in industries requiring secure data management and integration with Microsoft Active Directory. It's widely used for domain authentication and policy implementation in sectors such as banking, where centralized data processing and enhanced security layers are crucial. Its role in managing ACL permissions and IAM for special access is critical, especially in environments handling sensitive information.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Workspace ONE UEM is a comprehensive platform for centralized device management offering advanced security and seamless integration. It's ideal for managing mobile and IoT devices, providing centralized administration capabilities for businesses.

Workspace ONE UEM stands out due to its user-friendly interface and extensive multi-platform support. It provides policy-driven device control, advanced application and content management, and secure remote access. Its excellent third-party integration and strong security measures make it particularly beneficial for managing devices across different platforms. The platform is tailored for businesses looking for scalable solutions that support BYOD policies, application deployment, and user authentication. While praised for stability and comprehensive features like email management, there are calls for improved integration with Active Directory and better pricing strategies.

What are the most important features?

Easy-to-use interface: Simplifies device management for diverse platforms.
Policy-driven control: Enables automated compliance and security enforcement.
Multi-platform support: Manages iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices efficiently.
Advanced app and content management: Facilitates smooth deployment and regulation of applications.
Secure remote access: Ensures security for remote device management.
Single sign-on: Simplifies authentication processes.
Third-party tool integration: Expands functionality with external tools.

What key ROI factors to consider?

Device security: Protects sensitive data on mobile devices.
Centralized management: Streamlines operations for device monitoring and compliance.
Scalability: Supports growing business needs with ease.
User experience: Offers intuitive management tools for minimal training requirements.

Organizations across industries implement Workspace ONE UEM for its sophisticated management strategies, critical in sectors like healthcare for secure patient data management, finance for compliance, and education for supporting diverse device policies. Its integration capabilities make it essential for sectors requiring stringent security and seamless operational workflows.

Omnissa

Sample Customers

Expedia, Intuit, Royal Dutch Shell, Brooks Brothers

Australian Sports Commission, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Lomond School, Merck, United Bank, Medical College of Wisconsin, Latymer Upper School, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Dowling Aaron Inc., Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Harrogate Grammar School, Duke University Football, Delta Air Lines, Adventist Health System, Giochi Preziosi, Cramlington Learning Village, Intermountain Healthcare, Safexpress, TAG Aviation

Buyer's Guide

AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM

August 2026

Free Report: AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM

Find out what your peers are saying about AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM and other solutions. Updated: August 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

909,725 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our AWS Directory Service vs. Workspace ONE UEM report.

See our list of best Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) vendors.

We monitor all Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.