Microsoft Active Directory Alternatives

Microsoft Active Directory is described as 'Active Directory (AD) is a directory service that Microsoft developed for Windows domain networks and included in most Windows Server operating systems as a set of processes and services' and is an app in the network & admin category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Microsoft Active Directory for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Web-based, Windows and Mac apps. The best Microsoft Active Directory alternative is Zentyal. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Samba or Univention Corporate Server (UCS). Other great apps like Microsoft Active Directory are Microsoft Entra ID, FreeIPA, SambaBox and pGina Fork.

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Alternatives list

  1. Zentyal icon

    Zentyal

     55 likes
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    Integrates native Active Directory and all essential network services, including domain, mail, gateway, infrastructure, and security roles, for SMBs, offering web-based management, centralized authentication, file server, VPN, and firewall in a single Linux platform.

    26 Zentyal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Dashboard
     
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    20
    Comments about Zentyal as an Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory
    Arffeh
    Positive
    0

    100% drop-in replacement, tried and tested by yours truely.

    pitou
    Positive
    -2

    It's free and easy to use.

    Microsoft Active Directory Icon
    Zentyal icon

    • Most users think Zentyal is a great Microsoft Active Directory alternative.

    • Zentyal is the most popular Linux alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • Zentyal is the most popular Open Source & commercial alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • Zentyal is Paid and Open SourceMicrosoft Active Directory is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Samba icon

    Samba

     63 likes
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    Samba is the standard Windows interoperability suite of programs for Linux and Unix.

    15 Samba alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    10
    Comments about Samba as an Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Samba's main prupose is usage of SMB protocol on linux computers than managing ones through a LDAP

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It's literally a reimplementation of AD on Linux. Samba has been around for many years and is trusted by thousands of admins to provide seamless Windows interoperability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Active Directory Icon
    Samba icon

    • Most users think Samba is a great Microsoft Active Directory alternative.

    • Samba is the most popular Mac alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • Samba is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • Samba is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Active Directory is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Univention Corporate Server (UCS) icon

    Univention Corporate Server (UCS)

     34 likes
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    UCS is an open platform for central identity & access management, IT management, and active directory, with a web portal for easy access to applications.

    94 Univention Corporate Server (UCS) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Kubernetes
    Univention App Center
     
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    1
    13
    Comments about Univention Corporate Server (UCS) as an Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    it works flawless and it's free as long you don't need commercial support. Companies can get professional support from UCS or UCS Partners. It is the most complete alternative to MS ADS.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Active Directory Icon
    Univention Corporate Server (UCS) icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Univention Corporate Server (UCS) is a great Microsoft Active Directory alternative.

    • Univention Corporate Server (UCS) is the most popular Web-based, SaaS & Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • Univention Corporate Server (UCS) is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft Active Directory is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Zentyal icon
    Zentyal

    Integrates native Active Directory and all essential network services, including domain, mail, gateway, infrastructure, and security roles, for SMBs, offering web-based management, centralized authentication, file server, VPN, an...

    https://zentyal.com
    Learn More
  6. Microsoft Entra ID icon

    Microsoft Entra ID

     3 likes
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    Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a comprehensive identity and access management cloud solution that provides a robust set of capabilities to manage users and groups.

    31 Microsoft Entra ID alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Microsoft Entra ID screenshot 1
     
  7. FreeIPA icon

    FreeIPA

     13 likes
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    FreeIPA is an integrated security information management solution combining Linux (Fedora), 389 Directory Server, MIT Kerberos, NTP, DNS, Dogtag (Certificate System). It consists of a web interface and command-line administration tools.

    19 FreeIPA alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Using the authconfig utility to configure LDAP and Kerberos
     
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    8
    Comments about FreeIPA as an Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory
    soyatam443
    Negative
    0

    They explicitly state that they don't intend to be a drop in replacement for active directory.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    not only completely free its the only one i implimented and joined linux hosts to it. all the rest failed to deliver.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Active Directory Icon
    FreeIPA icon

    • Most users think FreeIPA is a great Microsoft Active Directory alternative.

    • FreeIPA is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Active Directory is Paid and Proprietary
  8. SambaBox icon

    SambaBox

     14 likes
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    SambaBox is an enterprise directory appliance with Web based management interface. SambaBox also offers integrated domain name (DNS), dynamic computer configuration (DHCP), certificate authority (CA), Microsoft Exchange compatible and also supports up to 2016 Functional Level...

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    SambaBox screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about SambaBox as an Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory
    sudo-supe
    Positive
    0

    I like SambaBox as an alternative to Microsoft AD for its robust GPO management and sleek web interface. It excels with secure, extensive API integrations and efficient bulk operations, making it effective for handling large user data and policies.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I tried with demo license. It was worked with my windows and mac enviroment.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    SambaBOX offers more tools than standart Microsoft Active Directory like CA, DHCP, SNMP. Best part is installation takes just minutes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Active Directory Icon
    SambaBox icon
    • SambaBox is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Active Directory is also Paid and Proprietary
    • SambaBox is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Active Directory is not according to our users
  10. pGina Fork icon

    pGina Fork

     3 likes
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    pGina is a replacement for the default Windows Credential Provider. Through plugins, pGina allows you to configure the login process from authentication and authorization through Radius, SSH, Kerberos, POP, IMAP,... remote servers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    pGina Fork screenshot 1
     

    • pGina Fork is the most popular Windows alternative to Microsoft Active Directory.

    • pGina Fork is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Active Directory is Paid and Proprietary
  11. 389 Directory Server icon

    389 Directory Server

     4 likes
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    Enterprise-class open source Linux LDAP server. Hardened by real-world use, full-featured, supports multi-master replication. 389 DS can be downloaded for free and set up in less than an hour using the graphical console.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • CentOS
    • Fedora
     
  12. OpenLDAP icon

    OpenLDAP

     9 likes
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    OpenLDAP Software is an open source implementation of the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

    15 OpenLDAP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    OpenLDAP screenshot 1
     
  13. JumpCloud icon

    JumpCloud

     5 likes
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    Cloud-based directory services. Alternative to Microsoft Active Directory. Provides LDAP-as-a-Service, RADIUS-as-a-Service. Authenticates, authorizes, and manages employees, their devices and IT applications.

    22 JumpCloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    JumpCloud screenshot 1
     
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    7
  14. GLAuth icon

    GLAuth

     1 like
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    Go-lang LDAP Authentication (GLAuth) is a secure, easy-to-use, LDAP server with configurable backends.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  15. RazDC icon

    RazDC

     1 like
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    It's an active directory replacement built on CentOS + Samaba4. Includes support for Directory, DNS, DCHP, and NTP type services.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    Color Pallet
     
12 of 20 Microsoft Active Directory alternatives