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Best Active Directory Management Software in 2026

Managing an Active Directory environment can involve oversight, administration, and routine user tasks. Compare AD auditing and reporting with delegated administration, lifecycle automation, and password self-service to see which responsibilities each product addresses. Deployment options, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing provide additional points for evaluation. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus, Softerra Adaxes, and Blazam are among the entries shown, alongside ManageEngine ADAudit Plus and Specops uReset. Consider which work your team needs to delegate or automate, what it needs to review, and how the listed deployment and pricing details fit your organization's requirements.

  1. 1

    Blazam

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+2

    Blazam combines delegated directory administration with permission controls and rule-based automation at no charge. Its Active Directory and host requirements are important deployment constraints.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Cayosoft Administrator

    Free plan AndroidAPIMac+3

    Cayosoft Administrator combines hybrid Microsoft identity administration, automation, and governance in one control plane. Pricing is by quote, and Premier Support is an additional cost.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    LTB Self Service Password

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    LTB Self Service Password provides user password changes and resets alongside directory attribute updates. Its deployment depends on the listed PHP, mail, sessions, and LDAP prerequisites.

    7.3 Open source Visit site
  4. 4

    PWM

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    PWM covers password changes and recovery across several LDAP directory types, with extensive configuration and REST APIs.

    7.1 Open source Visit site
  5. 5

    ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Choose ADSelfService Plus if your organization wants on-premises password self-service with delegated administration, auditing, and reporting.

    6.6 Free plan · paid from $595/user/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  6. 6

    Active Directory Change Tracker

    Free trial Self-hostedWindows

    Choose Active Directory Change Tracker if your team needs centralized Active Directory change history, event filters, exports, and alerts in an on-premises tool.

    6.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  7. 7

    ManageEngine ADAudit Plus

    Free plan WebWindows

    ADAudit Plus combines auditing, alerts, configuration monitoring, and compliance reports across a broad set of listed platforms.

    6.3 Free plan · paid from $595 · 30-day trial Visit site
  8. 8

    ADreporter

    Free trial Windows

    ADreporter focuses on reporting across Active Directory and related Microsoft data, with built-in and custom report options.

    6.1 From $15/yr · 15-day trial Visit site
  9. 9

    AD Reports

    Free trial Windows

    Choose AD Reports if you need a Windows tool for Active Directory, Entra ID, or hybrid identity reporting and scheduled audits.

    6.1 From $299/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
  10. 10

    Ithicos Directory Manager

    Free trial Self-hostedWebWindows

    Choose Ithicos Directory Manager if authorized staff need to manage Active Directory accounts, with Advanced adding onboarding and offboarding workflows.

    6.1 30-day trial Visit site
  11. 11

    ASN Active Directory Manager

    Free trial Windows

    ASN Active Directory Manager combines bulk administration with broad reporting for Windows Active Directory.

    6.0 From $495 · 14-day trial Visit site
  12. 12

    One Identity Active Roles

    Free trial AndroidiPhoneSelf-hosted+2

    Choose Active Roles if your organization needs to govern Active Directory, Entra ID and Microsoft 365 through shared administration, automation and delegated access.

    6.0 Pricing on request Visit site
  13. 13

    ManageEngine AD360

    Free trial WebWindows

    Choose ManageEngine AD360 if you need a suite for identity lifecycle tasks, authentication, auditing, Microsoft 365 administration, and recovery across managed environments.

    5.9 From $595 · 60-day trial Visit site
  14. 14

    Softerra Adaxes

    Free trial MacSelf-hostedWeb+1

    Adaxes combines directory and Microsoft 365 administration with automation, delegation, reporting, and password self-service.

    5.9 30-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    Specops uReset

    Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+3

    Choose Specops uReset if your organization needs password self-service across Active Directory or Entra ID environments, including remote access and configurable identity verification.

    5.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  16. 16

    SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

    Free trial Self-hostedWebWindows

    Access Rights Manager combines access reporting, lifecycle automation and delegated permissions, with the Full edition adding remediation and risk management.

    5.7 From $1,200 · 30-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    Dovestones AD Reporting

    Free trial Windows

    AD Reporting combines directory reporting with scheduled bulk actions and multiple output options. Check the listed Windows and .NET requirements, and note that installation adds a background service.

  18. 18

    INGOS Active Directory Manager

    Paid Windows

    INGOS Active Directory Manager brings account administration, policy controls, cleanup, and reporting into a Windows-focused tool.

    5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  19. 19

    JiJi AD Manager

    Paid Web

    JiJi AD Manager combines bulk user administration with configurable request approvals. Organizations should confirm product availability and obtain a quote before proceeding.

    5.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  20. 20

    ManageEngine ADManager Plus Access Certification

    Paid WebWindows

    Pick this add-on if your organization runs Professional Edition and needs access reviews tied to identity risk, entitlement visibility, and Active Directory auditing.

    4.6 From $495/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  21. 21
    4.5 Pricing on request · 15-day trial Visit site
  22. 22
  23. 23

    Netwrix Directory Manager

    Paid WebWindows
    4.3 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  24. 24
    4.1 Pricing on request Visit site
  25. 25
    3.9 30-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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