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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Microsoft Active Directory alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Zentyal icon
     55 likes

    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

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
  2. Samba icon
     63 likes

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

    16 Samba alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    2
  3. UCS is an open platform for central identity & access management, IT management, and active directory, with a web portal for easy access to applications.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Kubernetes
     
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    1
  4. 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.

    35 Microsoft Entra ID alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  5. FreeIPA icon
     13 likes

    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
     
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    2
  6. SambaBox icon
     14 likes

    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...

    16 SambaBox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
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    3
  7. pGina Fork icon
     3 likes

    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.

    4 pGina Fork alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  8. 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
     
  9. OpenLDAP icon
     9 likes

    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
     
  10. JumpCloud icon
     5 likes

    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.

    26 JumpCloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  11. GLAuth icon
     1 like

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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. RazDC icon
     1 like

    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
     
12 of 20 Microsoft Active Directory alternatives