ManageEngine ADAudit Plus review
A broad Windows auditing platform with useful free coverage and paid compliance depth.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus is an on-premises auditing and monitoring platform for organizations managing Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Windows servers, workstations, file servers, and supported NAS devices. Its scope extends beyond file integrity monitoring to directory, logon, permission, configuration, and security events. Windows-centered IT teams can use it to track file and folder changes, Active Directory activity, and system configuration changes from one platform.
The published plans show a permanent Free edition that audits up to 25 workstations and generates reports from collected evaluation or licensed-period event data. A 30-day Trial provides all Professional Edition features. The Standard edition starts at $595 annually for 2 domain controllers and adds 200+ preconfigured audit reports, real-time Active Directory auditing, file create, modify, delete, access, and permission auditing, plus compliance-specific reports. The Professional edition is $945 annually for 2 domain controllers and adds Group Policy, Active Directory permission, DNS, schema, contacts, and configuration auditing. Perpetual-license options are also listed for Standard and Professional editions.
Its standout strength is breadth within Windows and identity auditing. ADAudit Plus combines file integrity monitoring with registry, service, scheduled-task, system configuration, Group Policy, and Active Directory auditing. Real-time alerts cover critical file, directory, and Active Directory changes, while reports are mapped to PCI DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, FISMA, GLBA, and ISO 27001. Splunk, ArcSight, Syslog, ServiceNow, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Zendesk, Freshservice, Jira, and Kayako integrations extend its ecosystem. File integrity monitoring is an add-on for Windows servers and workstations, and file-server real-time collection requires the client-side agent. It suits teams seeking broad Windows and Active Directory oversight; organizations needing a narrower, standalone file-monitoring focus may prefer a simpler tool.
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Monitors files, permissions, registry, services, tasks, and configurations
- Includes preconfigured reports for PCI DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, and more
- Connects with SIEM platforms and ITSM tools for alerts and tickets
- Where it doesn't
- File integrity monitoring is an add-on for Windows servers and workstations
- File-server real-time collection requires the client-side agent
- Paid plans start at $595 annually for 2 domain controllers
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus fact sheet, pricing and score →
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