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Microsoft Active Directory Reviews

Vendor: Microsoft
4.3 out of 5
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What is Microsoft Active Directory?

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.

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Microsoft Active Directory is the #5 ranked solution in top Active Directory Management solutions and #8 ranked solution in top Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Active Directory an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Microsoft Active Directory is most commonly compared to Microsoft Entra ID: Microsoft Active Directory vs Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft Active Directory is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 14% of all views.
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Microsoft Active Directory
August 2025
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Microsoft Active Directory mindshare

Product category:
Single Sign-On (SSO)
As of September 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft Active Directory in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category stands at 3.2%, up from 2.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Single Sign-On (SSO) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft Active Directory3.2%
Microsoft Entra ID19.9%
Okta Workforce Identity8.2%
Other68.7%
Single Sign-On (SSO)

PeerResearch reports based on Microsoft Active Directory reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategorySingle Sign-On (SSO)Sep 10, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersSep 10, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Microsoft Entra IDSep 10, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Okta Workforce IdentitySep 10, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Ping Identity PlatformSep 10, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Microsoft Entra ID4.319.9%95%235 interviewsAdd to research
Fortinet FortiAuthenticator4.05.7%87%62 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Microsoft Active Directory is valued for its user-friendliness, stable domain management, integration with Microsoft products, and robust security protocols. Features include group policies, single sign-on, permission configurations, and Azure AD integration. It supports on-premises and cloud operations, aids in centralized user management, and ensures easy policy implementation. It streamlines tasks, enhances productivity, manages authentication, and is compatible with third-party applications. Organizations appreciate its scalability and flexibility, particularly with Microsoft Office 365 sync.
  • "The features and capabilities of Microsoft Active Directory that I have found the most valuable over the years are that it is a mature technology, it's stable, and it delivers what it promises."
  • "These Group Policies provide enhancement, helping to reduce administrative overhead and enhance productivity."
  • "I've been working with Microsoft Active Directory for over 3 years, and we've had no problems."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Active Directory needs improvements in its interface, particularly for logs and usability. Security features and integration with Mac, iOS, and third-party applications could be enhanced. The synchronization between on-prem and cloud servers, along with initial setup and deployment process, requires simplification. Reporting and automation features are lacking, and the user interface is outdated. Improvements in scalability, technical support, and cost, as well as better support for multi-factor authentication and password management, are also desired.
  • "It's not the tendency of Microsoft to use a standard, but to modify it to their needs. This is catastrophic if you have to integrate other applications that use the same standard."
  • "Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services is very difficult for on-premises solutions, while for the cloud solution, it's very easy."
  • "Sometimes, it can be overly complicated, and when you apply Group Policy in an Active Directory environment, sometimes those settings apply and sometimes they don't."

ROI

Organizations find return on investment with Microsoft Active Directory through enhanced value, time savings, and infrastructure support. Though some do not calculate direct ROI, the use is deemed worth the expenditure. It streamlines user access management, eliminating the need to manually set up users across systems. Permissions are efficiently managed with minimal effort. Some experience cost and time savings without recognizing direct financial returns, highlighting its essential role in a comprehensive infrastructure.

Pricing

Enterprise users find Microsoft Active Directory's pricing model complex and largely tied to Windows Server purchases. Costs vary, with some education sectors benefiting from free licenses via regional programs. Licenses often include server costs and user CALs, with pricing described as moderate to high, rating around 4 to 7 out of 10. For cloud-based solutions, prices are seen as advantageous due to no server costs, appealing to organizations considering migration to services like Azure.
  • "On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a four out of ten."
  • "Microsoft Active Directory is not an expensive solution."
  • "My company makes payments every quarter towards the licensing costs of the product."

Popular Use Cases

Microsoft Active Directory is primarily used for user management, domain creation, and identity authentication. Organizations deploy it as a centralized access management tool, integrating with applications like SharePoint and Office 365 for a seamless experience. Many leverage it for single sign-on, synchronizing passwords with Azure AD. It supports user lifecycle management, including account creation, permission settings, and policy enforcement, while enabling hybrid cloud setups for enhanced security and operational efficiency.

Service and Support

Users find Microsoft Active Directory support inconsistent. Some users report prompt and efficient service when contacting representatives who can diagnose issues effectively. Others experience slow response times and occasionally rely on online resources or local support partners. Premium support is deemed good but costly. Many use forums, documentation, or internal expertise. Feedback varies, with technical support ratings ranging from five to nine out of ten, suggesting mixed experiences with support effectiveness and response.

Deployment

Many users find Microsoft Active Directory's initial setup straightforward, with a typical deployment taking a few hours and rated highly for ease. Some mention increased complexity when dealing with previous versions or environment constraints. Installations benefit from guides and graphical interfaces, yet require some AD knowledge. Deployment time varies with project scope, with complex setups taking longer. Existing directory restructuring is highlighted as challenging, while greenfield implementations are generally less complicated.

Scalability

Microsoft Active Directory scales effectively across various organizational sizes, from small to very large environments. Many entities report high scalability ratings, typically between eight to ten. While some mention occasional issues with extreme scaling, especially with older versions, the capability to manage extensive user bases remains evident. The tool integrates well with additional licensing and setups, enabling seamless scalability. Entities also note the scalability improvement with cloud-based integrations like Azure.

Stability

Microsoft Active Directory is often described as stable, with most users rating its stability between eight and ten out of ten. While some users mention patch and compatibility issues, these are often resolved quickly. Many organizations have not faced significant downtime or performance problems. Design considerations for future growth can impact stability, requiring additional servers for scalability. Feedback suggests a highly reliable directory service, with no major issues regarding stability, crashes, or downtime.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Microsoft Active Directory Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise19
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business69
Midsize Enterprise38
Large Enterprise169
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Retailer
6%
Government
6%
Healthcare Company
6%
Educational Organization
6%
Comms Service Provider
6%
University
3%
Construction Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Transportation Company
2%
Logistics Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Engineering Company
1%
Insurance Company
1%
Media Company
1%
Non Profit
1%
Outsourcing Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm
1%
Marketing Services Firm
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%

Compare Microsoft Active Directory with alternative products

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Learn more about Microsoft Active Directory

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.

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Active Directory Management

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Microsoft Active Directory Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Owner at Syntlogo GmbH4.0I've used Microsoft Active Directory for over 20 years to centralize user management and streamline authorization, though integration with third-party apps and pricing could improve. It's stable and valuable, especially as we move toward hybrid cloud environments.
Senior Consutant at HCLSoftware4.5Active 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 Infosys4.5No summary available
Network Security Administrator at a retailer with 51-200 employees3.5We 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 Edge4.5I’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.
Regional IT Infrastructure Manager at a retailer with 5,001-10,000 employees4.0We 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.com4.5I 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 - Australia5.0No summary available