Head-to-head · Active Directory Management Software
Netwrix Directory Manager vs ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
Netwrix Directory Manager leads on 1 check, ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreNetwrix Directory Manager · 7.7/10
- Free planonly ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
- Most featuresNetwrix Directory Manager · 5 of 5
Netwrix Directory Manager scores higher on our rubric for active directory management software: 7.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus offers free plan; Netwrix Directory Manager doesn't. Netwrix Directory Manager offers lifecycle automation; ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus doesn't publish it.
Netwrix Directory Manager is the better fit for automated multi-directory administration. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus is the better fit for password self-service across many platforms.
- Netwrix Directory Manager fits best
Automated multi-directory administration
- ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus fits best
Password self-service across many platforms
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Side by side
| Feature | Netwrix Directory Manager 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus 7.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.1 |
| Ranking | #4 in Active Directory Management Software | #7 in Active Directory Management Software |
| Best for | Automated multi-directory administration | Password self-service across many platforms |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Free trial length | 30 days | 30 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs | Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 11 integrations | 15 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Netwrix Directory Manager 5/5 · ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus 4/5 | ||
| Delegated administration | ✓ | ✓ |
| AD auditing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lifecycle automation | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Password self-service | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment | On_premises | On_premises |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Netwrix Directory Manager manages users, groups, entitlements and passwords across Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID and other connected directories. It is designed for IT and identity teams that need to automate routine administration… Read the review → |
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus is an Active Directory and Microsoft Entra identity security product for organizations that want password self-service without limiting workflows to a single directory. It covers password resets, account… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Netwrix Directory Manager — where it wins
- Automates provisioning, deprovisioning and group lifecycle tasks
- Connects AD, Entra ID, Google Workspace, LDAP and SCIM
- Combines delegated workflows, auditing and password self-service
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is quote-based rather than published by plan
- Deployment is on-premises
- There is no free product plan
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus — where it wins
- Free Edition includes most Standard Edition features
- Supports password reset, unlocks, synchronization, MFA, and SSO
- Integrates with directories, ITSM, SIEM, IAM, and business applications
Where it doesn't
- Paid editions start at USD 595 per 500 users annually
- Free Edition limits Standard Endpoint MFA to 10 users
- Narrower than a full Active Directory management platform
- Netwrix Directory Manager7.7/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial
A broad directory administration suite for teams managing identities across connected systems.
Visit NetwrixFull verdict → - ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus7.1/10 · Free plan · paid from $595/user/yr · 30-day trial
A focused choice for password self-service, MFA, SSO, and synchronization across enterprise platforms.
Visit ManageEngineFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update