Netwrix Directory Manager vs SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

Netwrix Directory Manager8.9Visit SASolarWinds Access Rights Manager7.7Visit

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

SA SolarWinds Access Rights Manager #9 in Active Directory Management Software 7.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit SolarWinds

• Netwrix Directory Manager fits best

  Automated multi-directory administration

• SolarWinds Access Rights Manager fits best

  Access rights and permission governance

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Side by side

Feature	Netwrix Directory Manager 8.9/10 Visit ↗	SASolarWinds Access Rights Manager 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	7.7
Ranking	#3 in Active Directory Management Software	#9 in Active Directory Management Software
Best for	Automated multi-directory administration	Access rights and permission governance
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
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	12 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Netwrix Directory Manager 5/5 · SolarWinds Access Rights Manager 5/5
Delegated administration	✓	✓
AD auditing	✓	✓
Lifecycle automation	✓	✓
Reporting	✓	✓
Password self-service	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	On_premises	Hybrid
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	Combines permission analysis, auditing, risk alerts, and compliance reporting Full Version adds AD and Azure AD provisioning and delegated access Connects with Microsoft, file-server, SAP/R3, and storage platforms
Cons	Pricing is quote-based rather than published by plan Deployment is on-premises There is no free product plan	Starting price is $1,200 with no free plan The broader feature set may exceed smaller teams’ requirements Windows-based installation requirements may limit deployment flexibility
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 →	SolarWinds Access Rights Manager is designed for IT and security teams governing Active Directory, Azure AD, file servers, Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and related permissions. Its scope covers user provisioning and… 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

• SolarWinds Access Rights Manager — where it wins

  • Combines permission analysis, auditing, risk alerts, and compliance reporting
  • Full Version adds AD and Azure AD provisioning and delegated access
  • Connects with Microsoft, file-server, SAP/R3, and storage platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Starting price is $1,200 with no free plan
  • The broader feature set may exceed smaller teams’ requirements
  • Windows-based installation requirements may limit deployment flexibility

• 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 →
• SASolarWinds Access Rights Manager7.7/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad AD governance suite for teams that need permission control, auditing, and provisioning.

  Visit SolarWindsFull verdict →