Head-to-head · Active Directory Management Software
Softerra Adaxes vs ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
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
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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 | ||
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| 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 → |
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 →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





