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Microsoft Active Directory vs Netwrix Auditor comparison

Microsoft and Netwrix are both solutions in the Active Directory Management category. Microsoft is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.7, while Netwrix is ranked #3 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 5.7% mindshare in ADM, compared to Netwrix’s 13.5% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Netwrix users who would recommend it.
Microsoft Active Directory
Read 42 Microsoft Active Directory reviews
  • 363 Views
  • 252 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
Netwrix Auditor
Read 7 Netwrix Auditor reviews
  • 1,574 Views
  • 975 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 9, 2024

Netwrix Auditor and Microsoft Active Directory are major IT solutions. The former excels in detailed auditing features, while the latter offers comprehensive identity and access management, making it a versatile choice.

What features are offered by Netwrix Auditor in comparison to Microsoft Active Directory?

Netwrix Auditor provides granular audit reports, user-friendly insights, and specialized audit functionalities. Microsoft Active Directory offers robust identity and access management, comprehensive integration in one environment, and a consolidated feature set.

What areas of improvement can be found in Netwrix Auditor in comparison to Microsoft Active Directory?

Netwrix Auditor needs improvements in scalability, integration with other systems, and broader system compatibility. Microsoft Active Directory could benefit from reducing complexity, simplifying basic task tools, and enhancing user-friendly features.

How is the ease of deployment and customer service of Netwrix Auditor in comparison to Microsoft Active Directory?

Netwrix Auditor has mixed reviews on deployment complexity but is praised for its responsive support. Microsoft Active Directory’s deployment often requires significant IT expertise but benefits from widespread community support and extensive documentation.

What setup costs and ROI can be seen with Netwrix Auditor in comparison to Microsoft Active Directory?

Netwrix Auditor is seen as cost-effective with a clear return on investment. Microsoft Active Directory is perceived as more expensive but justifiable due to its extensive feature set and integrated solutions.

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To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Active Directory vs. Netwrix Auditor Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory vs. Netwrix Auditor
April 2025
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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

Microsoft Active Directory
Ranking in Active Directory Management
6th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
42
Ranking in other categories
Single Sign-On (SSO) (7th)
Netwrix Auditor
Ranking in Active Directory Management
3rd
Average Rating
9.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
7
Ranking in other categories
GRC (10th), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) (33rd), Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (18th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Active Directory Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Active Directory is 5.7%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Netwrix Auditor is 13.5%, down from 14.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Active Directory Management
 

Featured Reviews

Rajitha Abhisheka - PeerSpot reviewer
A solution that easily merges with cloud-based ADs and provides superior data security
The interface for logs should be user-friendly and allow for enhanced filtering to drill down to incidents. It is time consuming to get a clear picture and review deviations in conditional policies because you have to check each and every log to find information on malicious attacks, a compromised end-user's account, or phishing emails. The logs for sign-ins and auditing should be available for more than a 30-90 day window. Most logs are displayed in UTC but it would be helpful to include time conversions for tenant regions. Currently, we must do time conversions manually before we contact users to share information and troubleshoot issues.
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Mohamed Tantawy - PeerSpot reviewer
Can track every admin action in large environments and includes AI modules to detect and prevent unauthorized changes
The initial setup of Netwrix Auditor was straightforward. Some functions require agents while others are agentless, simplifying implementation. It consumed minimal server and client resources, and the wizard-based console made it simple to deploy with the help of architectural teams. All required ports were in place, and they covered all critical services and databases effectively. I would rate the easiness of the initial setup as a nine out of ten. The deployment of Netwrix Auditor took around three weeks, mainly due to the preparation of the environment and servers. The deployment process involved actions such as preparing virtual servers and building databases. Once deployed, it took only about a week to complete. Third-party consultants assisted us with deployment. Only one or two engineers were needed for deployment and maintenance, which could be handled remotely with minimal complexity.
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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I advise consideration of this solution. The overall product rating is ten out of ten."
"Having active deployment and well-configured systems helps me manage tasks and easily oversee thousands of users."
"The scalability of the solution is high...The initial setup of the solution is easy, and I would rate it an eight or nine out of ten on a scale of one to ten, where one being difficult and ten being easy."
"It is very user-friendly."
"One valuable feature is the centralized creation of IDs."
"Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers."
"I can use Active Directory to block a user's internet access and monitor how an employee is using the internet."
"The Solution's most important feature is that it can merge with a cloud-based active directory via Azure AD Connect."
More Microsoft Active Directory pros
"I am impressed with the tool's reporting feature and notifications."
"What I find the most valuable about Netwrix Auditor is the way it shows risk. The reports are very clear."
"The most valuable feature is the real-time monitoring."
"The most valuable features of Netwrix Auditor are its affordability compared to similar products and its comprehensive monitoring of admin activities."
"Netwrix provides features that no other solution on the market does."
"It maintains audit logs for the duration of time that you wish, as long as you have the storage capacity to do so."
"I have found user behavior analysis and the ability to run risk assessments important features. Additionally, the interface and online documentation are very good."
 

Cons

"The solution needs to be simplified to navigate."
"The technical support team does not give prompt responses."
"There could be enough material to learn about the product."
"I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms."
"The product must provide remote password reset features."
"I did not have a good experience with the product's tech support. First-level support takes a lot of time since they ask many questions."
"The solution's price could be better."
"There is room for improvement."
More Microsoft Active Directory cons
"When there are issues I would like remediation to be in one place."
"The Linux compatibility of this solution could be improved."
"The solution lacks self-service on password reset. It also needs to improve its scalability."
"An improvement would be if there was an another way to manage the logs besides email because it's not so practical."
"There is room for improvements when it comes to the licensing."
"If you buy direct, there is a minimum of 150 licenses that must be procured. The price point and barrier of entry is a little bit higher than it would be if you purchased the solution from an authorized reseller partner, rather than buying it and managing yourself."
"I expect usability features to become more refined over time. I'm interested to see how it evolves and continues to improve."
"There is room for improvement with the introduction of AI functionality."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Active Directory is built-in into Microsoft Windows 10. I'm not an administrator and would not be involved in purchasing decisions for new versions of the software. I have only used the client portion of it, I do not know if there is a cost to using the solution."
"Its price is reasonable."
"Microsoft Active Directory is not an expensive solution."
"The pricing is not very expensive. I rate the pricing a five out of ten."
"The product's premium support services are expensive."
"I'm unsure about the cost of the solution, as I was never involved in that aspect. However, I don't think it would be expensive. It might be average, around four or five out of ten."
"The price of Microsoft Active Directory could improve. We pay annually for the solution."
"It's not overly expensive. It's considered a base function by Microsoft."
More Microsoft Active Directory pricing and cost advice
"This solution is reasonably priced. I would rate it a nine out of ten."
"There is a license for this solution and we are on an annual license. The price is reasonable."
"The tool's price is fair."
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850,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
17%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Educational Organization
8%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Computer Software Company
9%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft Active Directory?
The solution is easy to install and has good reliability.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Microsoft Active Directory?
Technology is evolving. AI is offering solutions. However, short-term fixes are like band-aids.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Active Directory?
I utilize it in almost every scenario. I use the Hazer database and meet daily needs across every industry, every time.
See all answers
What do you like most about Netwrix Auditor?
The most valuable features of Netwrix Auditor are its affordability compared to similar products and its comprehensive monitoring of admin activities.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Netwrix Auditor?
The pricing of Netwrix Auditor varies based on the number of users and devices in our environment, but it is generally very cost-effective compared to other solutions. We don't pay for licenses sep...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Netwrix Auditor?
The solution currently meets my needs, but there is room for improvement with the introduction of AI functionality as suggested by the vendor. Additionally, expanding capabilities like database act...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 17% of the time
CyberArk Identity vs Microsoft Active Directory Logo
CyberArk Identity vs Microsoft Active Directory
Compared 11% of the time
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Fortinet FortiAuthenticator vs Microsoft Active Directory
Compared 8% of the time
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Compared 20% of the time
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus vs Netwrix Auditor Logo
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus vs Netwrix Auditor
Compared 13% of the time
SolarWinds Access Rights Manager vs Netwrix Auditor Logo
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Compared 13% of the time
Lepide vs Netwrix Auditor Logo
Lepide vs Netwrix Auditor
Compared 12% of the time
Tenable Identity Exposure vs Netwrix Auditor Logo
Tenable Identity Exposure vs Netwrix Auditor
Compared 8% of the time
More Netwrix Auditor Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory
April 2025
Microsoft Active Directory reportDownload Microsoft Active Directory product report
Buyer's Guide
Netwrix Auditor
April 2025
Netwrix Auditor reportDownload Netwrix Auditor product report
 

Overview

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.

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.

Microsoft
Netwrix Auditor is a security-focused solution that monitors IT environments by tracking changes, ensuring compliance, and enhancing visibility into user activities. It offers detailed auditing, real-time alerts, and robust reporting tools. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features boost efficiency, productivity, and organizational growth.
Netwrix
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
AT&T, SanDisk, Siemens, Verizon, Electrolux, Allianz, Societe Generale
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory vs. Netwrix Auditor
April 2025
Free Report: Microsoft Active Directory vs. Netwrix Auditor
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