19 Best Active Directory Tools [Free & Paid]

Choosing the right Active Directory tool can be challenging, considering the abundance of available options in the market.

Plus, the internet is full of run-of-the-mill lists of random Active Directory tools. To ensure you know about the best solutions, I’ve thoroughly researched, tried product demos, read product documents, and availed free trials. I also verified vendors’ claims from multiple sources.

Here are 10 out of 19 Active Directory tools that I’ve reviewed for this post. I’ve shortlisted them based on their key features, pricing, and best use cases.

• 1. ManageEngine ADManager Plus – All-in-One AD Management Solution
• 2. Stellar Repair for Active Directory – Best for AD Repair
• 3. SolarWinds Access Rights Manager – Streamline User Access & Permissions
• 4. One Identity Active Roles – Simplify AD Administration & Security
• 5. Netwrix Auditor – Best for Real-Time AD Change Auditing
• 6. Quest Migrator Pro – Robust AD Migration
• 7. SystemTools Hyena – Supports Bulk Import and Updating
• 8. Paessler Active Directory Monitoring – Best for Performance Monitoring & Alerting
• 9. Lepide Data Security Platform – Secure AD from Insider Threats
• 10. Adaxes – Automate AD Tasks & Improve Security
• Show moreShow less

Best Active Directory Tools Comparison

I’ve compiled a quick comparison table for AD tools, highlighting their key features, starting prices, and free trial options. You can use it as a handy reference.

1. ManageEngine ADManager Plus

ManageEngine ADManager Plus is an all-in-one solution for all your Active Directory management requirements. It helps you manage your Active Directory, receive detailed reports, delegate helpdesk tasks, automate various AD tasks, and perform backup and recovery.

For on-the-go Active Directory user management, it offers native mobile apps for resetting passwords and account management tasks, such as enabling, disabling, and deleting user accounts. You can access ADManager Plus on your Android and iOS devices.

ADManager Plus Features

I downloaded its free trial and attended an online demo. After exploring its various features, I found the following ones quite helpful:

• Active Directory password management
• Group management
• Around 150 comprehensive reports
• Active Directory task delegation
• Automation for Active Directory tasks
• Backup and recovery for Active Directory and Google Workspace

Why I Picked ADManager Plus

I chose ADManager Plus for its robust Active Directory management, detailed reporting, and powerful automation features.

Its Active Directory management has all the essential features your organization needs for efficient AD management. Features like bulk user management, cleanup, group management, computer management, and password management make it easy to streamline AD management operations.

It provides various reports, including user reports, password reports, group reports, security reports, and more. I like that its compliance reports can help you meet leading compliance requirements, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), GDPR, SOX, etc.

The automation capabilities I like most are automated user creation and provisioning, AD cleanup, and setting limits for group members.

ADManager Plus Pricing

ADManager Plus pricing starts at $595/year. A 30-day free trial is available to explore its premium features.

Try ADManager Plus

2. Stellar Repair for Active Directory

Stellar Repair for Active Directory, as the name suggests, repairs the Active Directory database and fixes the AD failure issue. It can also repair users, groups, computers, and their properties. Moreover, it aids in recovering objects like MsMq, InetOrgPerson, Contacts, and printers.

Stellar Repair for Active Directory Features

I downloaded Stellar Repair on my PC for testing and found the following features worth mentioning:

• Repairs corrupt Active Directory databases
• Restores Active Directory objects and their properties
• Sets random or default passwords to user accounts
• Creates log reports for repair tasks

Why I Picked Stellar Repair for Active Directory

I included Stellar Active Directory Repair in my list because due to its ease of use. I liked its password-setting feature, which lets you reset all user account passwords to a random or default password.

It also allows you to force users to change their passwords when they log in, which is useful for enforcing strong passwords.

Another feature I liked is its ability to generate log reports for completed repair tasks. You can check a log report for each repair task, which helps you review the repair process later.

To access the log report, click the bottom of the GUI as directed by the arrow in the screenshot below. Ensure the “Log Window” option is checked in the top panel.

I also liked their customer support. They offer a prompt chat support option. When I contacted them, I was connected to a support executive in no time.

The customer support also provided me with an extra 5% discount, which was a nice bonus.

Stellar Active Directory Repair Pricing

Stellar Active Directory Repair costs $199/year.

Stellar Active Directory Repair

3. SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager enables you to monitor the most crucial aspects of user access and receive detailed access reporting. This helps you streamline user access and permissions in your organization.

It lets you investigate and respond to security incidents and fix insecure account configurations. To aid you in satisfying service level agreements (SLAs) and protect user credentials simultaneously, it comes with automated account provisioning and de-provisioning.

Access Rights Manager Features

Here are the key highlights of Access Rights Manager:

• Active Directory auditing, delegation, and group management
• Active Directory reporting and provisioning
• Automated user account management
• File-server auditing
• Data loss prevention
• Cybersecurity policy enforcement with automated secure account provisioning

Why I Picked SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

I selected SolarWinds Access Rights Manager for features like cybersecurity risk assessment and data loss prevention.

It reduces risks with wide visibility. By looking at the Risk Assessment Dashboard, you can quickly get valuable insights, such as:

• Accounts with never-expiring passwords
• Directories with direct access
• Inactive accounts
• Directory with changed access rights

I also found the data loss prevention (DLP) in Access Rights Manager (ARM) to be an important feature for protecting sensitive data. It analyzes user credentials, configurations, and access to help you detect and prevent data at risk.

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager Pricing

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager is available in subscriptions and perpetual licensing. The site hasn’t published any pricing details. You need to contact the company for a custom quote based on your requirements. A 30-day free trial is available.

Try SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

4. One Identity Active Roles

One Identity Active Roles simplifies management of Active Directory administration and security. It offers complete visibility and control over Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Entra ID (Azure AD) from a single interface. You can also automate AD policies, tasks, and group management.

The Change History log in the Active Roles Console tracks all modifications to users and groups. It records what changed, when it happened, and who made the change. For example, if a password reset occurs, the log will show the time and the person responsible, ensuring transparency and security.

One Identity Active Roles Features

• Centralized management of Active Directory, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365 from one interface
• Fine-grained delegation with least privilege access and role-based access control (RBAC)
• Automated user account and group creation, mailboxes, and group population across hybrid environments
• Real-time synchronization with industry-leading connectors like SCIM 2.0, ServiceNow, Workday, and more
• Tracking for user activity and change history
• Identifying stale objects and standing privileges for audit and remediation

Why I Picked One Identity Active Roles

I selected Active Roles because it streamlines user account and group management across hybrid environments by automating account and group creation, mailbox setup, and group population.

Additionally, it ensures real-time updates with top-tier connectors like SCIM 2.0, ServiceNow, Entra ID (Azure AD), Salesforce, and Workday.

One Identity Active Roles Pricing

One Identity Active Roles hasn’t provided pricing details on its website. You need to contact the company for pricing information. You can access a free virtual demo to explore its features.

Get Active Roles

5. Netwrix Auditor

Netwrix Auditor detects all changes in Active Directory and Group Policy, providing deep insights into who made the change, what changed, when, where, and the before-and-after values for full visibility. Its comprehensive auditing capabilities make it one of the best third-party AD tools for Active Directory change auditing.

Plus, Netwrix Auditor can analyze unusual activities in Active Directory Domain Services and other critical systems in the cloud and on-prem settings. As a result, the tool helps you detect compromised accounts and malicious insiders.

You can also enforce the least-privilege principle and strengthen access management through reports on who has access to specific resources in Active Directory and how they received those permissions.

Netwrix Auditor Features

• Tracks failed and successful logins, including Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) attempts
• Reports user, group, and GPO configurations in Active Directory in the current state to help you compare them with a known baseline
• Offers built-in reports aligned with compliance standards like PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, GDPR, and more
• Tracks and reports Group Policy changes with full details and before-and-after values
• Offers delegated user access reviews
• Automatically deactivates inactive accounts, alerts users on password expiry, and reports lockout events for quick resolution

Why I Picked Netwrix Auditor

I went through Netwrix Auditor’s online demo to explore its features in detail and found its Behavior Anomalies dashboard quite useful. It gives a single view of abnormal user activity across your entire IT environment.

When you dive deeper into individual users, it offers you detailed insights into why alerts were triggered by those users, including details about their actions and Risk Score.

You also receive detailed user behavior reports to help you detect malicious insiders and compromised accounts.

Netwrix Auditor Pricing

Netwrix Auditor pricing is available on request. The company offers a free launch-in browser demo. Try out their 20-day free trial to access its features.

Get Netwrix Auditor

6. Quest Migrator Pro

Quest Migrator Pro lets you merge, consolidate, and restructure Active Directory environments with security and flexibility. It synchronizes users, devices, and applications across AD forests, even in disconnected or isolated networks.

The tool lets you schedule and automate Active Directory migration operations without affecting end-user productivity. You also get the flexibility to install it on on-prem servers for scenarios where cloud usage may pose security, compliance, or operational risks.

Quest Migrator Pro Features

I read through the Quest Migrator Pro documents and found the following standout features.

• Migration of any objects, settings, and properties across forests, including disconnected or isolated networks
• Execution during business hours without disrupting users’ work or requiring downtime
• Visibility with built-in reports, charts, and diagrams for real-time migration monitoring
• Customization to handle complex scenarios like merging two AD environments without trust relationships
• Security by avoiding Remote Procedure Call (RPC), remote registry access, and requiring zero open inbound firewall ports

Why I Picked Quest Migrator Pro

I picked Migrator Pro because it focuses on security while migrating Active Directory. It offers stronger protection by eliminating RPC and remote registry access, thereby reducing potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, it requires zero open inbound firewall ports during migration operations.

Quest Migrator Pro Pricing

Quest Migrator Pro’s pricing is available on request. You can request the company for a free trial to explore it.

Try Quest Migrator Pro

7. SystemTools Hyena

Hyena from SystemTools lets you perform bulk importing and updating Active Directory without the need for PowerShell scripts. You can mass update and create Active Directory objects from any delimited test file, like CSV files. It supports most AD data types, which include, but are not limited to, numeric, text, multi-valued, and true/false.

You also get easy task-based settings. Once configured, the task settings are automatically saved, so you can run the same task again without reconfiguring it. This improves efficiency and consistency.

Hyena records all logging and performs thorough validation checks before making changes to directory attributes or other settings. This ensures accurate modifications, reduces errors, and improves security before updating the directory.

SystemTools Hyena Features

• Easy-to-use bulk editor to modify Active Directory information
• User management by domain, organizational unit, group membership, or custom filters
• View customization to display specific user attributes
• Fast viewing, sorting, and control of service properties
• Easy access to all directory attributes, including Terminal Services, employee ID, or any other hard-to-reach or custom attribute

Why I Picked SystemTools Hyena

I picked Hyena for its efficiency and flexibility in bulk importing and updating. Its task-based configuration simplifies workflows by automatically saving settings for repeated execution, minimizing manual effort.

It also supports mass group updates, enables modification of various AD attributes, and automates home directory creation, making it the best tool for bulk importing and updating.

If you want a full-fledged Active Directory Management tool, you might like ManageEngine ADManager Plus or SolarWinds Access Rights Manager for a comprehensive feature set.

SystemTools Hyena Pricing

Hyena’s pricing starts at $329 for 1-2 new licenses, including one year of free updates. After the free update period expires, you can upgrade your license starting at $165 for 1-2 licenses, with 2 years of free updates. A 30-day free trial is also available.

Try SystemTools Hyena

8. Paessler Active Directory Monitoring

Paessler Active Directory monitoring is a feature of PRTG Network Monitor that checks your IT, OT, and IoT infrastructure. It helps you discover and monitor your entire Active Directory domain forest, offering you complete visibility into its domains, users, groups, and policies. As a result, you can easily manage large and complex environments.

Paessler Active Directory monitoring also lets you track inactive group members or users. You can set automatic alerts at different escalation levels to help you keep your AD secure, organized, and error-free.

The software is usable on different devices, whether on the web, desktop, or mobile. Each platform offers a user-friendly interface designed for smooth navigation and efficiency. If you want full control over your data, you can opt for on-prem installation.

Paessler Active Directory Monitoring Features

• Continuously tracks AD performance and security issues in real-time
• Identifies replication errors and unusual activity without manual intervention
• Monitors key AD metrics to ensure smooth Windows Server infrastructure operations
• Flags potential vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them
• Queries AD for logged-out and deactivated users for auditing

Why I Picked Paessler Active Directory Monitoring

I took a 30-day free trial of PRTG Network Monitor to explore its Active Directory Monitoring feature. I found that it gives all the AD stats one needs in one place—from device status to login activity, replication, and user details.

Its real-time alerting ensures you never miss critical issues, and you can set custom thresholds to get notified instantly.

With automated alerts, you can troubleshoot problems quickly and keep your Active Directory running smoothly. All these features make PRTG Network Monitor a good option for Active Directory monitoring.

However, keep in mind that PRTG Network Monitor can be costly if you’re using it only for Active Directory monitoring. If you don’t need its other features, it may not be worth the investment. More affordable alternatives, like ADManager Plus and SystemTools Hyena, offer similar AD monitoring capabilities at a lower cost.

Paessler Active Directory Monitoring Pricing

Paessler Active Directory Monitoring is a part of PRTG Network Monitor—a comprehensive monitoring solution. Its pricing starts at $2,149/year, and you get a fully-featured 30-day free trial.

Try Paessler Active Directory Monitoring

9. Lepide Data Security Platform

Lepide Data Security Platform is a comprehensive solution that can protect your data, identify threats, and meet compliance. There are 4 modules in Lepide Data Security Platform: Lepide Auditor, Lepide Trust, Lepide Detect, and Lepide Identity.

Lepide Auditor for Active Directory tracks configuration and permission changes with detailed audit logs. It answers key security questions—who made changes, what was altered, when, and where.

You get a detailed view of your Active Directory, including users, groups, and organizational units. The software also helps identify security risks like non-expiring passwords and inactive accounts, ensuring compliance requirements.

With state-in-time reporting, you can track changes, troubleshoot issues, and restore configurations when needed.

Lepide Data Security Platform Features

I explored the Lepide Data Security Platform online demo and identified these key features.

• Provides hundreds of pre-defined reports, tracking all AD changes and events for easy investigations
• Audits, tracks, and reverses Active Directory permission changes to enforce the least privilege policy
• Reduces downtime by automating password resets, account lockouts, object restoration, and other common IT tasks
• Offers complete visibility into AD access levels, making it easier to track and secure permissions

Why I Picked Lepide Data Security Platform

I selected Lepide Auditor because of its comprehensive logon auditing and real-time security monitoring ability. It tracks user logins and logouts, monitors failed login attempts, and detects concurrent logon sessions for better access control.

Lepide’s real-time alerts notify you about unusual behavior, like login attempts outside business hours. This helps you identify security threats, such as insider threats or brute force attacks, before they become serious issues.

Lepide Data Security Platform Pricing

Lepide Data Security Platform follows custom pricing. Contact the company to get a pricing quote. A free in-browser demo is available.

Explore Lepide Data Security Platform

10. Adaxes

Adaxes offers unified management of Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Entra ID with powerful automation capabilities to reduce workload and increase security. It lets you implement delegation, automate custom workflow, enable corporate standard enforcement, deploy role-based access control, and more.

With Adaxes, you can help your new hires start quickly. It automates user lifecycles by handling onboarding, management, and offboarding. The tool also creates workflows that provision accounts in Active Directory, Exchange, and Microsoft 365.

You can easily automate actions, such as adding to groups, creating a mailbox, sending a welcome email, creating a home folder, and more, to save time and improve efficiency.

Adaxes offers a powerful reporting feature that provides real-time insights into your directory environment.

Users can generate, customize, and schedule reports to monitor activities, such as newly created accounts, inactive users, or security risks. The web interface allows sorting, filtering, grouping, and exporting reports.

Adaxes Features

I read Adaxes’ documents and watched demo videos to explore its features. Here are the key features I found worth mentioning.

• Automates user onboarding by assigning group memberships, creating Exchange mailboxes, configuring Microsoft 365 licenses, etc.
• Provides a customizable web interface for managing Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange, and Microsoft 365 from any device
• Enables self-service features, allowing users to reset passwords, update personal details, and manage group memberships securely
• Supports approval-based workflows, ensuring controlled execution of tasks like user creation and privilege changes with multi-step approvals
• Automates scheduled tasks like de-provisioning inactive accounts or importing user changes from the HR system

Why I Picked Adaxes

I chose Adaxes for its powerful automation features that simplify IT management. It streamlines user provisioning, group management, and Microsoft 365 license assignments, reducing manual work and errors.

With rule-based workflows, tasks like onboarding, offboarding, and approvals happen automatically. Plus, the self-service portal lets users reset passwords, update details, and manage groups without IT help. All these features make Adaxes the best tool to automate AD tasks and improve security.

Adaxes Pricing

Adaxes’ perpetual license starts at $1,600, with an additional $480 annual fee for maintenance and support for up to 100 user accounts. It also offers a free 30-day trial.

Try Adaxes

More Active Directory Tools

Here are a few more Active Directory tools I explored that didn’t make the top 10 but are still worth checking out. I’ve also divided them into paid and free tools.

Paid Active Directory Tools

The tools listed below offer only paid plans.

Active Directory Tool	Best For
11. JumpCloud	Best to Modernize AD Infrastructure
12. Cygna Auditor	Best for AD Auditing & Compliance
13. Specops Password Auditor	Strengthen AD Password Security
14. MaxPowerSoft	AD Management & Reporting Solutions
15. Active Directory Pro	Expert AD Consulting & Support

Free Active Directory Tools

Here are free AD tools for your consideration.

Active Directory Tool	Best For
16. ManageEngine Free AD Tools	Free Tools for Basic AD Tasks
17. Microsoft AD Explorer	Free Tool for AD Exploration
18. Windows Active Directory	Free AD Tools & Resources
19. Cayosoft Free Tools	Free Tools for AD Password Management

How To Choose the Right Active Directory Tool

Now that you know about the best Active Directory tools, the next aspect is picking the right AD tool to meet your requirements.

Here are some tips that can help:

• Understand Your Requirements: Each organization’s Active Directory requirements differ. So, before starting your search for an AD tool, you must first assess your requirements regarding user, group management, auditing, and reporting. Then, start exploring options.
• Look for Automation: Always look for an Active Directory tool that can automate routine AD tasks, such as user provisioning, deprovisioning, and password resetting, to save time.
• Test Security and Compliance Assistance: Based on your industry and the nature and location of your business, you might be liable to follow regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. So, pick an active directory tool that offers compliance reporting to help meet applicable laws.
• Check Integration and Scalability: Look for an AD tool that easily integrates with your existing tech stack and scales quickly as your business grows.
• Look for Ease of Use and Support: You don’t want your system administrator to spend hours figuring out the functionality of an AD tool. Choose a solution that offers ease of use and prompt customer support to resolve queries.

Of course, you cannot ignore the cost. So, find a solution that fits your budget. There is no point in spending a hefty amount on a powerful AD tool whose many features you might never use.

I recommend trying free trials and demos of the Active Directory tools I’ve discussed here to find the one that best fits your budget and requirements.