Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
Infrastructure and Cloud Principle Specialist at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Integrates well with Microsoft products but configuring third-party solutions can be difficult
Pros and Cons
  • "Multi-factor authentication really secures our environments and gives us the flexibility to use location-based policies. Azure AD also gives us a lot of flexibility in our scope of integration."
  • "I would like it to be easier to integrate third-party applications."

What is our primary use case?

We use Azure AD for sign-on security as well as for our customers' Microsoft 365 solutions. We help migrate our customers from the traditional Active Directory, and to use Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams. We use Azure AD to secure their login processes with multi-factor authentication. In some specific cases, where there are specific applications, databases, or Active Directory login information about users, we integrate Azure AD with those elements.

What is most valuable?

Multi-factor authentication really secures our environments and gives us the flexibility to use location-based policies. Azure AD also gives us a lot of flexibility in our scope of integration.

It's easy to configure Microsoft products with Azure AD. It is almost an instant integration. In hybrid installations it is a bit more complex to configure, but not that much. In short, it is good for most Microsoft customers and the products they use.

What needs improvement?

Some of the features related to authentication could be made clearer. In my last organization, I tried to integrate a third-party education solution with Azure AD, but it was a bit difficult to configure. I would like it to be easier to integrate third-party applications.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Azure AD for three or four years.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Entra ID
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Entra ID. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable product. I haven't encountered any problems or bugs.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is very scalable.

How was the initial setup?

In general, there is no problem in configuring Azure AD. It's not hard. But, as I said, configuring third-party, open-source applications with it is a little bit difficult.

We usually set aside one day to configure Azure AD for new organizations. In general, it takes one person to maintain it, perhaps two in some cases.

What other advice do I have?

We have faced a few little problems in our customers' hybrid environments. Backing up the ADFS (Active Directory Federation Services) is very important, but some of our customers didn't do so and they lost their ADFS proxy servers. That is one of the important lessons I have learned. In those cases we had to reconfigure almost everything. It's simple to back up ADFS, so I would advise doing so.

But from the user's point of view, we've faced no problems. It works well.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Anteneh Asnake - PeerSpot reviewer
Modern Data Center and Cloud Engineer II at IE Network Solutions PLC
MSP
Smooth, easy to use, and easy to set up
Pros and Cons
  • "The performance is good."
  • "We would like to see more system updates."

What is our primary use case?

We are using the solution primarily for demo purposes. We use active data cases from Microsoft. You can run different kinds of virtual machines and different kinds of services. We're currently using it in production.

What is most valuable?

It's very smooth and very easy to use. 

The performance is good. 

The product is stable.

It's quite scalable.

The initial setup is not complex.

What needs improvement?

We would like to see more system updates. They should happen more frequently.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for a while. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability has been good. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution can scale if you need it to.

About350 people use the solution in our organization.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is not great when you are using cloud solutions, however, when you are using cloud solutions, it's very smooth and very effective. We haven't had any issues. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I'm not sure if a different solution was used previously.

How was the initial setup?

The installation was not complex. It was pretty simple and pretty straightforward.

The deployment is pretty fast. It takes ten minutes, at a maximum, to set up.

You only need one person for deployment and maintenance. 

What about the implementation team?

I didn't need the help of any third-party integrator or consultant. I was able to handle it myself. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is pretty affordable. Sometimes you can get a Microsoft voucher to get some sort of discount.

What other advice do I have?

I'd rate the solution a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Entra ID
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Entra ID. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1209912 - PeerSpot reviewer
CSO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Reasonably priced, and straightforward
Pros and Cons
  • "It's something we have to deal with every day. It is present. If you're in a domain environment, you'll need it to log in. If you work in a Microsoft-centric environment, you can't avoid it."
  • "Many people believe that the Azure Active Directory is overly complicated and antiquated."

What is our primary use case?

Anyone who moves to Azure must have Azure Active Directory.

Azure Active Directory is identity management.

What is most valuable?

It's something we have to deal with every day. It is present. If you're in a domain environment, you'll need it to log in. If you work in a Microsoft-centric environment, you can't avoid it.

It's in the background and anyone who is a member of a Windows domain must have it.

What needs improvement?

Many people believe that the Azure Active Directory is overly complicated and antiquated.

Active Directory Windows hasn't evolved that much in over 20 years. Azure Active Directory, has a few nuanced elements. It's fairly straightforward.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been dealing with Azure Active Directory for well over 25 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Azure Active Directory is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Azure Active Directory is quite scalable.

How was the initial setup?

When you've been dealing with a piece of technology for 25 years, it's simple, but the public perceives it to be complicated and antiquated.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Active Directory is a Windows component that requires a per-user license. If you're on Azure, it can be free or it's incorporated,  at no extra cost, or it can become extremely complicated.

If there is a cost, it is not expensive, but you have to have it if you are running an Active Directory environment. It's a have to have, not a nice to have.

What other advice do I have?

We are partners with Microsoft.

I would rate Azure Active Directory an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1404414 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Functional Analyst at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Scalable, reliable, and easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "Azure Active Directory has been very useful for our company, it is not difficult to use."
  • "Azure Active Directory could improve the two-factor authentication."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Azure Active Directory in our company at a group level.

What is most valuable?

Azure Active Directory has been very useful for our company, it is not difficult to use.

What needs improvement?

Azure Active Directory could improve the two-factor authentication.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Azure Active Directory for approximately four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Azure Active Directory is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Azure Active Directory is scalable.

We have approximately 1,000 users using this solution. Not everyone is using Azure Active Directory but the ones involved in the cloud are.

How are customer service and support?

I have not used technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very easy for Azure Active Directory.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to others is if they're going to move to the Azure Cloud Platform, this could be a highly valuable add-on, in order to take care of authentication matters in general. It's a very useful tool and not difficult to use.

I rate Azure Active Directory an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Mathew Clarke - PeerSpot reviewer
Presales at Quest Software
MSP
The best solution you can implement for your identity protection
Pros and Cons
  • "Don't delay implementing this solution, it's the best thing you can do for your identity protection."
  • "It would be an improvement if Authenticator made it easier to recover the app if you reboot your cellphone and lose access."

What is our primary use case?

I use Authenticator across my company for controlling access to our platforms and data.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the prompt for a number so that you're sure what you're seeing is what you're agreeing to.

What needs improvement?

It would be an improvement if Authenticator made it easier to recover the app if you reboot your cellphone and lose access.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Authenticator is stable.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What other advice do I have?

Don't delay implementing this solution, it's the best thing you can do for your identity protection. I would rate Authenticator as nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1781802 - PeerSpot reviewer
Infrastructure Manager at a consumer goods company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Improved stability and straightforward to set up but licensing is confusing
Pros and Cons
  • "Azure is the leading market solution because of its history, features, and maturity."
  • "The technical support can be confusing - if you're looking for something very specific, it can be hard to get the right answer or a solution."

What is our primary use case?

My main use is for directory services, including identity access, management policies, access control, authentication features, and endpoint management.

What needs improvement?

The licensing model makes it difficult to understand the real cost of the solution, especially because it changes all the time.  

For how long have I used the solution?

I have fifteen years of experience with Active Directory.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability has improved from a couple of years ago. From time to time, there are service interruptions, but they're not a problem.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This solution is easily scalable.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support can be confusing - if you're looking for something very specific, it can be hard to get the right answer or a solution. Google Workspace's support is stronger - it's fast and easy, and they go the extra mile without asking.

How was the initial setup?

Active Directory is straightforward to set up.

What other advice do I have?

Azure is the leading market solution because of its history, features, and maturity. I'd rate this solution seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1559979 - PeerSpot reviewer
Service Architect at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Adds a valuable extra layer to data security; very functional
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution adds an extra layer of security."
  • "Lacks integration between applications and phones."

What is our primary use case?

My primary use case is to access our company resources. I'm a solution architect and we are customers of Authenticator.

What is most valuable?

I use this solution on a daily basis and it's a very functional app. that adds an extra layer when it comes to securing the data owned by my company. It's quite easy to deploy. 

What needs improvement?

I'd like to see integration between applications and phones included in the solution. It would also be helpful to have support for the kind of integration you see between Facebook and Google, support with protocols from one application on the internet or SaaS to another one. I've seen several kinds of applications in the area of risky behavior that are a little better in other solutions.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for a year. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution always works, it's stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable, we have around 40,000 users in our company. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have previously used other products but Authenticator is included in the Microsoft license suite package so the decision to go with it was commercial. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution is connected with Intune in the cloud so implementation is very easy and took me less than five minutes. Everything is updated via Microsoft cloud delivery.

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution eight out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
NASSER ALY - PeerSpot reviewer
Computer Chief Specialist Engineer at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Cloud accessible, overall functions well, and simple deployment
Pros and Cons
  • "Overall the solution functions very well, such as the ability to access it from the cloud."

    What is our primary use case?

    The solution is being used at Kuwait University for different things, such as email systems.

    What is most valuable?

    Overall the solution functions very well, such as the ability to access it from the cloud.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Azure Active Directory for approximately eight years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The stability of Azure Active Directory is good.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Azure Active Directory has been scalable.

    How are customer service and support?

    If we have any problems we contact the local reseller, and if we need to contact Microsoft, we do it directly.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We were previously using Microsoft Active Directory which was not on the cloud. Having Azure Active Directory on the cloud is a benefit.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is simple. There is not a need to do any installation or configuration, you only make a subscription and you run it.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    There is a subscription model that is used for Azure Active Directory.

    The subscription should be categorized by business size. For example, small companies should have a discounted price, this would help small companies and the organization to be automated.

    What other advice do I have?

    I recommend this solution to others.

    I rate Azure Active Directory a ten out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Entra ID Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: August 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Entra ID Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.