Best SolarWinds Access Rights Manager Alternatives in 2026
The top SolarWinds Access Rights Manager alternatives are Cayosoft Administrator, ManageEngine AD360 and Netwrix Directory Manager: 15 active directory management software our editors would look at instead of SolarWinds Access Rights Manager, in our ranking order.
SolarWinds Access Rights Manager: A broad AD governance suite for teams that need permission control, auditing, and provisioning. Where it falls short: starting price is $1,200 with no free plan.
Switching from SolarWinds Access Rights Manager? For most active directory management software buyers the best SolarWinds Access Rights Manager alternative is Cayosoft Administrator, built for hybrid AD and Microsoft 365 administration.
Why People Look for a SolarWinds Access Rights Manager Alternative
- 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
- No free plan — 4 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCayosoft Administrator9.3
Hybrid AD and Microsoft 365 administration
Visit Cayosoft Administrator - Best free optionCayosoft Administrator9.3
Has a free plan (SolarWinds Access Rights Manager has none)
Visit Cayosoft Administrator
All 15 SolarWinds Access Rights Manager Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forHybrid AD and Microsoft 365 administration
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.7
A broad hybrid AD and Microsoft 365 administration platform with automation and self-service.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Cayosoft -
Best forLarge hybrid identity management programs
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.7
A broad hybrid identity suite for organizations that need modular AD management and governance.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
9.1/10★★★★★Visit ManageEngine -
Best forAutomated multi-directory administration
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.7
A broad directory administration suite for teams managing identities across connected systems.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Netwrix -
Best forPolicy-driven AD and Entra automation
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.7
Policy-driven automation for delegated administration across AD, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Adaxes -
Best forEnterprise delegated AD administration
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.7
A broad enterprise platform for delegated administration, lifecycle control, and auditing.
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
- AD auditing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit One Identity -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing broad AD control
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.7
A free, open-source option for broad Active Directory administration on Windows or Linux.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Blazam -
Best forAD auditing and compliance monitoring
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.7
A broad AD auditing platform with strong compliance coverage and a free plan.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ManageEngine -
Best forDelegated user and group administration
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.7
A focused on-premises tool for delegating Active Directory administration with audit controls.
- Delegated administration
- Lifecycle automation
- AD auditing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Ithicos -
Best forBulk AD administration on Windows
A capable Windows tool for bulk AD work, with broad reporting but a high entry price.
- Reporting
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forPassword self-service across many platforms
- Better than SolarWinds Access Rights Manager:
- Free plan
A focused choice for password self-service, MFA, SSO, and synchronization across enterprise platforms.
- Password self-service
- Delegated administration
- AD auditing
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ManageEngine -
Best forOrganizations centered on AD reporting
A Windows-based reporting suite for teams that need broad AD visibility and scheduled audits.
- AD auditing
- Reporting
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit AD Reports -
Best forHybrid AD reporting and administration
A focused Windows tool for hybrid directory reporting, administration, and cleanup.
- Lifecycle automation
- AD auditing
- Reporting
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Dovestones -
Best forLow-cost, high-volume AD reporting
A low-cost, high-volume reporting tool for Windows-based AD administration.
- Reporting
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit ADreporter -
Best forAutomated bulk user provisioning
A focused Windows utility for scheduled, multi-source Active Directory administration.
- Lifecycle automation
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Dovestones -
Best forReal-time AD change auditing and response
A focused choice for real-time Active Directory auditing, threat detection, and rollback.
- AD auditing
- Reporting
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Quest
SolarWinds Access Rights Manager Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to SolarWinds Access Rights Manager?
Cayosoft Administrator: #1 in our Active Directory Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad hybrid AD and Microsoft 365 administration platform with automation and self-service.
Is there a free alternative to SolarWinds Access Rights Manager?
Yes. Cayosoft Administrator, Blazam, ManageEngine ADAudit Plus and ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for SolarWinds Access Rights Manager alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from SolarWinds Access Rights Manager?
Export your data from SolarWinds Access Rights Manager (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel SolarWinds Access Rights Manager.
How to Switch from SolarWinds Access Rights Manager
- Export your data from SolarWinds Access Rights Manager (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel SolarWinds Access Rights Manager.
SolarWinds Access Rights Manager vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Delegated administration | AD auditing | Lifecycle automation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | SolarWinds Access Rights Manager | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 1 | Cayosoft Administrator | Yes | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | ManageEngine AD360 | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Netwrix Directory Manager | No | On_premises | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | Softerra Adaxes | No | On_premises | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 5 | One Identity Active Roles | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Blazam | Yes | Free | On_premises | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 7 | ManageEngine ADAudit Plus | Yes | $595/yr | On_premises | 7.9 | |||
| 8 | Ithicos Directory Manager | No | On_premises | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 9 | ASN Active Directory Manager | No | $495 one-time | On_premises | 7.7 | |||
| 10 | ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus | Yes | $595/user/yr | On_premises | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 11 | AD Reports | No | $299/user/yr | On_premises | No | Yes | No | 7.4 |
| 12 | Dovestones AD Reporting | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 13 | ADreporter | No | $15/user/yr | On_premises | 7.2 | |||
| 14 | Dovestones AD Bulk Users | Hybrid | Yes | 7.1 | ||||
| 15 | Quest Change Auditor for Active Directory | Hybrid | Yes | 7.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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