Microsoft Active Directory vs SAP Single Sign-On comparison

Microsoft and SAP are both solutions in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category. Microsoft is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.4, while SAP is ranked #15 with an average rating of 10.0. Microsoft holds a 3.3% mindshare in SSO, compared to SAP’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of SAP users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Active Directory

Read 47 Microsoft Active Directory reviews

2,171 Views
1,389 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

SAP Single Sign-On

Read 1 SAP Single Sign-On review

331 Views
321 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Active Directory

SAP Single Sign-On

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Active Directory and SAP Single Sign-On based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Okta, Cisco and others in Single Sign-On (SSO).

To learn more, read our detailed Single Sign-On (SSO) Report (Updated: January 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Single Sign-On (SSO)

January 2026

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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 Single Sign-On (SSO)

9th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Active Directory Management (2nd)

SAP Single Sign-On

Ranking in Single Sign-On (SSO)

15th

Average Rating

10.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Active Directory is 3.3%, up from 3.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP Single Sign-On is 0.9%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Single Sign-On (SSO) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Active Directory	3.3%
SAP Single Sign-On	0.9%
Other	95.8%

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Featured Reviews

Eko Kurniawan

IT Operations & Security at veris

Has simplified credential management and improved secure access control across departments

The features I find most useful in Microsoft Active Directory are especially for the Single Sign-On. This is very useful for users, particularly if they have plenty of applications, such as tablet applications. When they log in to their computer, the application will automatically log in with their credentials. They don't need to remember another user and password to log in to the application because it's already maintained with Microsoft Active Directory using Single Sign-On. To assess the impact of Microsoft Active Directory's centralized domain management on security protocols and access permissions, Microsoft Active Directory itself has constraints with security because when we have a solution such as SSO or Single Sign-On, which makes it easier for users to log in, some parts have security openings. When their computer is compromised with a threat, malware, or other cyber threats, it becomes easier to enter the application without login permission.

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AhmedHaridy

Managing Director at Emkan

A flexible solution that has two-factor authentication feature

The solution has been integrated into our mobile workforce using SAP IAS. This service links all SAP products with a central authentication platform, allowing users to access various systems and functionalities. We can easily integrate this solution with Active Directory or other solutions such as Microsoft or IBM. Additionally, SAP IAS also supports digital authentication, not only for SAP but also for other platforms like Microsoft Azure. Customers can quickly establish user authentication with SAP IAS in just a few minutes, enabling secure access to specific products or systems based on predefined rules. The two-factor authentication feature of SAP Single Sign-On is highly valuable for enhancing security. It allows users to access SAP products using various authentication methods, such as Microsoft user or their authentication service. This ensures secure access to all systems, both SAP and non-SAP, while giving the company control over user access. Additionally, the solution offers location-based access control. We find that it's already quite flexible and doesn't require much customization. It's mainly about configuration, which doesn't demand technical expertise. Customers often delve deeper into the solution's features to understand how to use it more effectively. They ask questions that are already addressed within the platform. This reliance on the solution's features, alongside their internal on-premises systems, has a very positive impact. The tool is compatible with different products.

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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

"One advantage of Active Directory is that you can sync it with Microsoft Office 365, so you can manage on-premise and cloud operations, which can have different requirements. The flexibility of a hybrid management solution is valuable."

"It is an all-in-one solution for cybersecurity and is available at a very low price."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Active Directory is the ability to search for computers and users. While I do not have administrative privileges to reset passwords, I can view user information such as department, and communicate with someone who can make the changes."

"The solution's initial setup is straightforward."

"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."

"Technical support is helpful."

"The ability for a single sign-on for applications."

"We can also have separate domain controllers in different Active Directory sites based on their location."

More Microsoft Active Directory pros

"The solution has been integrated into our mobile workforce using SAP IAS. This service links all SAP products with a central authentication platform, allowing users to access various systems and functionalities. We can easily integrate this solution with Active Directory or other solutions such as Microsoft or IBM. Additionally, SAP IAS also supports digital authentication, not only for SAP but also for other platforms like Microsoft Azure. Customers can quickly establish user authentication with SAP IAS in just a few minutes, enabling secure access to specific products or systems based on predefined rules."

Cons

"We may occasionally experience difficulty integrating some solutions with Microsoft Active Directory, but I am unsure whether the issue lies with Microsoft Active Directory or the other solution."

"The solution needs to be simplified to navigate."

"If you are using the Active Directory, the main concern is that the policy is restricted to the specific local area network."

"Typically, it depends on the customer's situation. If the customer operates in smaller locations where most PCs are in a common location, we usually aim to consolidate the directory infrastructure for easier maintenance. However, for distributed setups spanning multiple countries, configuring multiple sites becomes necessary and more intricate to handle. Our objective is to minimize the number of sites, simplifying operations for IT administrators and reducing errors. Mistakes in Active Directory can be costly for organizations, as disruptions can occur rapidly. Moreover, when it comes to hybrid single sign-on across various applications, Microsoft hasn't put forth significant effort. Single sign-on has become a challenge for many customers who utilize diverse solutions beyond Microsoft products. While implementing single sign-on is relatively straightforward in the Azure cloud, it's considerably more complex when dealing with the local Active Directory. This presents a big challenge for many of our customers."

"It could be more scalable. We still need another software solution to monitor the network in addition to Active Directory and OpManager, our domain controller. We use SolarWinds."

"There has been a change in the layout of the user information. Previously, I had to go to properties to view the information, but now it is displayed directly below the search results. It takes some time to get used to."

"The challenges everyone now has in mind is how to really migrate fully to the cloud. Many companies face both technical and cost-related challenges when moving from on-premise Active Directory to Microsoft Intra."

"I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms."

More Microsoft Active Directory cons

"The only improvement I suggest for SAP Single Sign-On concerns employees without emails. We addressed this by allowing users to set up security questions themselves. However, to further enhance this, integrating with mobile SMS for password resets could be beneficial."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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 product's premium support services are expensive."

"I rate the product’s pricing a five out of ten."

"It's not overly expensive. It's considered a base function by Microsoft."

"We have to purchase a license for the solution."

"Active Directory is an expensive solution, primarily due to Microsoft's licensing model. This licensing approach includes paying for server licenses as well as for each computer that connects to it. However, when working with the Azure cloud, there is no cost for the server. This is profitable and one of the main reasons why Azure Cloud and other cloud-based solutions are being used more."

"The price of Microsoft Active Directory could improve. We pay annually for the solution."

"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."

More Microsoft Active Directory pricing and cost advice

"The tool is free of cost."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Healthcare Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	20

No data available

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?

The best way to protect this is to use Microsoft Defender. For Microsoft support for Microsoft Active Directory, I would rate it as eight. If I give it 10, it would be too perfect. Eight is fair. M...

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What is your primary use case for Microsoft Active Directory?

My main use cases for Microsoft Active Directory are to manage user access and credentials.

See all answers

What do you like most about SAP Single Sign-On?

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAP Single Sign-On?

The tool is free of cost.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP Single Sign-On?

The only improvement I suggest for SAP Single Sign-On concerns employees without emails. We addressed this by allowing users to set up security questions themselves. However, to further enhance thi...

See all answers

Comparisons

Ping Identity Platform vs Microsoft Active Directory

Compared 17% of the time

ManageEngine ADManager Plus vs Microsoft Active Directory

Compared 10% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs Microsoft Active Directory

Compared 8% of the time

JumpCloud vs Microsoft Active Directory

Compared 8% of the time

IBM Security Verify Access vs Microsoft Active Directory

Compared 3% of the time

More Microsoft Active Directory Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Active Directory

January 2026

Download Microsoft Active Directory product report

Buyer's Guide

Single Sign-On (SSO)

January 2026

Download SAP Single Sign-On 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

SAP Single Sign-On streamlines user authentication processes by enabling secure access to multiple applications with one set of login credentials. It's designed to enhance security and operational efficiency across organizations.

With SAP Single Sign-On, enterprises can ensure maximum security while enhancing user productivity. By providing centralized user authentication, it reduces password management complexities. This solution aligns with advanced security standards, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking robust authentication methods.

What features stand out in SAP Single Sign-On?

Centralized Authentication: Offers one login for multiple applications, enhancing user experience.
Enhanced Security: Implements sophisticated encryption and access control.
Multi-Factor Authentication: Adds security with biometric and smartcard options.
Simplified Integration: Seamlessly connects with existing systems.
Audit Capabilities: Provides comprehensive logging for better security compliance.

What benefits and ROI can be expected?

Increased Productivity: Minimizes login time and streamlines access.
Reduced IT Costs: Decreases password reset requests, saving resources.
Improved Security: Protects sensitive data with robust protocols.
Regulatory Compliance: Simplifies adherence to industry standards.

In industries like healthcare and finance, SAP Single Sign-On is pivotal for secure and efficient data management. In healthcare, it supports compliance with patient privacy regulations. In finance, it ensures secure access to critical systems, safeguarding sensitive financial data. These sectors benefit from the enhanced security and streamlined operations that SAP Single Sign-On provides, contributing to operational efficiency and data protection.

SAP

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

1. Adidas 2. Aetna 3. Airbus 4. Allianz 5. American Express 6. AstraZeneca 7. Audi 8.Bayer 9. BMW 10. Boeing 11. Cisco 12. Coca-Cola 13. Colgate-Palmolive 14. Dell 15. Eni 16. Ericsson 17. ExxonMobil 18. Ford 19. General Electric 20. Google 21. Hewlett Packard 22. Honeywell 23. IBM 24. Intel 25. Johnson & Johnson 26. JPMorgan Chase 27. Kellogg's 28. L'Oreal 29. Merck 30. Nestle 31. Nike 32. PG

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Okta, Cisco and others in Single Sign-On (SSO). Updated: January 2026.

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