Netwrix Directory Manager vs Softerra Adaxes

Netwrix Directory Manager8.9Visit Softerra Adaxes8.7Visit

Higher score Netwrix Directory Manager #3 in Active Directory Management Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Netwrix

vs

Softerra Adaxes #4 in Active Directory Management Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Adaxes

• Netwrix Directory Manager fits best

  Automated multi-directory administration

• Softerra Adaxes fits best

  Policy-driven AD and Entra automation

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Side by side

Feature	Netwrix Directory Manager 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Softerra Adaxes 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Active Directory Management Software	#4 in Active Directory Management Software
Best for	Automated multi-directory administration	Policy-driven AD and Entra automation
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	30 days
Free trial length	30 days	30 days
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows	Web, Windows, macOS
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Netwrix Directory Manager 5/5 · Softerra Adaxes 5/5
Delegated administration	✓	✓
AD auditing	✓	✓
Lifecycle automation	✓	✓
Reporting	✓	✓
Password self-service	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	On_premises	On_premises
Our review
Pros	Automates provisioning, deprovisioning and group lifecycle tasks Connects AD, Entra ID, Google Workspace, LDAP and SCIM Combines delegated workflows, auditing and password self-service	Automates identity lifecycles, approvals, scheduled tasks, and directory rules Unifies Active Directory, Entra ID, Exchange, and Microsoft 365 management Includes delegated administration, reporting, and password self-service
Cons	Pricing is quote-based rather than published by plan Deployment is on-premises There is no free product plan	No free plan is available Uses package-based account tiers rather than per-user monthly billing Deployment is on premises, which may not suit cloud-only teams
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 →	Softerra Adaxes is an Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID management platform for organizations managing on-premises, hybrid, or cloud directory configurations. It is aimed at teams that need role-based delegated administration,… 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

• Softerra Adaxes — where it wins

  • Automates identity lifecycles, approvals, scheduled tasks, and directory rules
  • Unifies Active Directory, Entra ID, Exchange, and Microsoft 365 management
  • Includes delegated administration, reporting, and password self-service

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Uses package-based account tiers rather than per-user monthly billing
  • Deployment is on premises, which may not suit cloud-only teams

• Netwrix Directory Manager8.9/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A broad directory administration suite for teams managing identities across connected systems.

  Visit NetwrixFull verdict →
• Softerra Adaxes8.7/10 · 30-day trial

  Policy-driven automation for delegated administration across AD, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365.

  Visit AdaxesFull verdict →