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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 62% 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 4, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersSep 4, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Microsoft Entra IDSep 4, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Okta Workforce IdentitySep 4, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Active Directory vs Ping Identity PlatformSep 4, 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 excels with features like user-friendly interface, group policies, cloud integration via Azure AD Connect, centralized domain management, access control, and single sign-on. Organizations appreciate its scalability, hybrid management, compartmentalization of access, easy integration with Microsoft and third-party apps, stable operation, and effective security and authentication features. Its ability to manage policies, permission settings, and enhance productivity is highly valued in both on-premises and cloud environments.
  • "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's interface is outdated, and security features like multifactor authentication and filtering need enhancement. It struggles with complex integration, especially with non-Microsoft tools, and lacks robust reporting and group management capabilities. The synchronization process is often cumbersome. Time conversion, log accessibility, and user interface are not user-friendly. Microsoft's support can be inconsistent. Migration to cloud services presents obstacles. Directory infrastructure often requires intricate management, and user flow optimization is necessary for better experience.
  • "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

Many users acknowledge value in Microsoft Active Directory, noting significant time and cost savings. Though some do not calculate specifics, they find it worth the investment. It streamlines processes with efficient user access control and centralized management. Even without a direct financial return, it benefits other infrastructures like Google Directory, emphasizing its importance.

Pricing

Microsoft Active Directory follows a licensing model with costs often bundled with Windows and Office packages. Pricing varies by location and sector, with educational institutions sometimes receiving free licenses. Costs can be considerable, especially for large enterprises, where securing data is critical. Active Directory can be expensive, rated around five to seven out of ten for affordability. Some users pay annually, others have perpetual licenses, and Azure Cloud integration may reduce server costs.
  • "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

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Active Directory for identity and access management. It enables centralized user and device management, supports authentication mechanisms like Kerberos, and facilitates single sign-on integration. Businesses utilize it for managing users, domains, group policies, and provide hybrid environments using Azure AD for password synchronization. Companies employ it for controlling access across multiple platforms and managing directory structures due to mergers, enhancing security and user lifecycle processes.

Service and Support

Microsoft Active Directory customer service and support show inconsistency. Some appreciate proactive, knowledgeable support with prompt problem resolution, while others encounter slow response times and variability in assistance. Users often seek documentation and forums before contacting support. Premium service is considered effective but costly. Many share experiences of supportive representatives, though inexperienced ones may struggle with complex issues. Ratings range from two to nine out of ten, reflecting diverse customer perspectives on the effectiveness of Microsoft Active Directory support.

Deployment

Users report that Microsoft Active Directory's initial setup is generally straightforward and can often be completed in a few hours. Complexity may arise in environments transitioning from older systems or involving restructuring. Setup times vary, with smaller projects taking less time than larger, multi-user deployments. The process benefits from detailed documentation and guidance, and the use of graphical interfaces is appreciated. Familiarity with the system and proper planning are crucial for a smooth setup experience.

Scalability

Microsoft Active Directory scales well for various organizational sizes, with users praising its ability to handle thousands to hundreds of thousands of users. Some encountered past issues with system crashes and complexity, especially in global operations, but many rate its scaling capability highly. While some recommend supplementing it with cloud solutions like Azure for better scalability, others find it adequate for their needs, indicating a range of functional experiences.

Stability

Many users rate Microsoft Active Directory's stability highly, often between eight and ten. Users highlight its continuous performance with no major downtime, although some minor issues with patches and updates exist. Stability can be ensured with multiple domain controllers, and it’s known as highly dependable and scalable. Some users did mention areas for improvement in patch management and encryption, but the service remains a strong directory solution for many organizations.
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 Business68
Midsize Enterprise38
Large Enterprise170
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%
Educational Organization
6%
Healthcare Company
6%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Construction Company
3%
University
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Transportation Company
2%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Engineering Company
1%
Insurance Company
1%
Media Company
1%
Non Profit
1%
Outsourcing Company
1%
Logistics 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

Go!

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
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.
Owner at Syntlogo GmbH4.5I'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.
Infrastructure Senior Specialist at IVG4.5I 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 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.