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Head-to-head · Active Directory Management Software

Softerra Adaxes vs ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Softerra Adaxes #3 in Active Directory Management Software 8.2/10 30-day trial ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Adaxes
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus #7 in Active Directory Management Software 7.1/10 Free plan · paid from $595/user/yr · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit ManageEngine

Softerra Adaxes 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 scoreSofterra Adaxes · 8.2/10
  • Free planonly ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
  • Most featuresSofterra Adaxes · 5 of 5

Softerra Adaxes scores higher on our rubric for active directory management software: 8.2 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus offers free plan; Softerra Adaxes doesn't. Softerra Adaxes offers lifecycle automation; ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus doesn't publish it.

Softerra Adaxes is the better fit for policy-driven AD and Entra automation. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus is the better fit for password self-service across many platforms.

  • Softerra Adaxes fits best

    Policy-driven AD and Entra automation

  • ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus fits best

    Password self-service across many platforms

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Softerra Adaxes 8.2/10 Visit ↗ ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.1
Ranking #3 in Active Directory Management Software #7 in Active Directory Management Software
Best for Policy-driven AD and Entra automation 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, macOS Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 15 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Softerra Adaxes 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
Pros
  • 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
  • Free Edition includes most Standard Edition features
  • Supports password reset, unlocks, synchronization, MFA, and SSO
  • Integrates with directories, ITSM, SIEM, IAM, and business applications
Cons
  • 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
  • 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
Our verdict

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 →

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 →
  1. Softerra AdaxesActive Directory Management Software 8.230-day trial
  2. ManageEngine ADSelfService PlusActive Directory Management Software 7.1Free plan · paid from $595/user/yr · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • 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
  • Softerra Adaxes8.2/10 · 30-day trial

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

    Visit AdaxesFull 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 →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update