Microsoft Active Directory

What Microsoft Active Directory is

Microsoft Active Directory is Windows software for directory-based identity and access management in Windows Server environments. It supports single sign-on through Kerberos and NTLM protocols and lists smart cards as a multifactor authentication method. The software is offered through Windows Server 2025 licensing choices. Windows Server 2025 Standard is designed for physical or minimally virtualized environments and is listed at $1,176 a month, billed at the suggested MSRP. Windows Server 2025 Datacenter targets highly virtualized datacenters and cloud environments and is listed at $6,771 a month. A Windows Server pay-as-you-go option is transacted through Azure Arc and costs $33.58 a month, with the page also showing $0.046 per hour. Pricing is shown in USD and may vary by country. Licensing is core-based and requires a Windows Server CAL. Active Directory runs on Windows. Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States. The listed starting price is $1,176, and there is no free plan.

Who it suits

Active Directory suits organizations running Windows Server that need directory-based identity and access management, Kerberos or NTLM single sign-on, and smart-card multifactor authentication. The licensing options also address physical, minimally virtualized, highly virtualized, cloud, and usage-based deployments.

Limits

There is no free plan. Windows Server licensing is core-based and requires a Windows Server CAL; listed monthly prices are 1176.00 USD for Standard, 6771.00 USD for Datacenter, and 33.58 USD for pay-as-you-go.

Getting started

1. Open Microsoft’s Active Directory Domain Services overview
2. Choose a Windows Server licensing option
3. Select Standard for physical or minimally virtualized use
4. Select Datacenter for highly virtualized datacenters or cloud environments
5. Use Azure Arc for the pay-as-you-go option
6. License the deployment with core-based licensing and required Windows Server CALs

Verdict

Pick Microsoft Active Directory when your identity and access environment is built around Windows Server and requires its listed SSO and smart-card MFA methods. Consider another option if you need a free plan or licensing without Windows Server CAL and core-based requirements.