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Microsoft cloud identity and access management

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Reviews onG2Capterra
940 reviews tracked·1 press mention

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

Microsoft integration

Biggest con

Complex pricing

TL;DR - Azure AD

  • Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is a cloud identity and access management (IAM) solution for securing access to applications and resources.
  • It offers features like strong authentication (MFA, passwordless), single sign-on (SSO), conditional access, identity protection, and privileged identity management.
  • Microsoft Entra Domain Services provides managed domain services (Windows Domain Join, group policy, LDAP, Kerberos) for Azure VMs and legacy applications without managing domain controllers.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
4.6/5 across review platforms

What is Azure AD?

Editorial review
Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID) is Microsoft cloud-based identity and access management service. Provides SSO, MFA, conditional access, and identity protection for Microsoft and third-party apps.

Available on: Web

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Microsoft integration
  • Enterprise-grade
  • Comprehensive features

Cons

  • Complex pricing
  • Microsoft ecosystem bias

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(940 reviews)

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Single sign-onMulti-factor authenticationConditional accessIdentity protectionApp managementB2B/B2C

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Jul 8, 2026

Free

Free

  • SSO unlimited apps
  • MFA
  • Basic reports
  • User management
Most Popular

P1

$6/user/month

  • Conditional access
  • Dynamic groups
  • Self-service password reset
  • Advanced reports

P2

$9/user/month

  • Identity protection
  • Privileged identity
  • Access reviews
  • Entitlement management

How Azure AD's pricing compares

At $6/mo, Azure AD is mid-range of its 3 direct competitors ($3 to $240/mo across the set).

Azure AD
$6
$240

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jul 8, 2026.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 940 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra

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Best Azure AD Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Azure AD FAQ

How does Azure AD facilitate secure access to applications?

Azure AD provides secure access through features like single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and conditional access policies. These capabilities help ensure that only authorized users can access both Microsoft and third-party applications. It also includes identity protection features to safeguard user accounts.

Which teams benefit most from using Azure AD?

Azure AD is ideal for IT and security teams within organizations that require robust identity and access management. Its comprehensive features and enterprise-grade capabilities support large-scale deployments and complex security requirements. It is particularly beneficial for organizations already using Microsoft services due to its strong integration.

How is Azure AD priced?

Azure AD offers a free tier for basic identity and access management needs. For organizations requiring more extensive usage and advanced features, paid plans are available. The pricing structure can be complex, scaling with additional functionalities and user numbers.

Can Azure AD integrate with non-Microsoft applications?

Yes, Azure AD is designed to provide identity and access management for both Microsoft and third-party applications. It supports single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access across a wide range of software. This allows for centralized identity management beyond the Microsoft ecosystem.

What kind of trade-offs should organizations consider when adopting Azure AD?

Organizations should be aware of Azure AD's complex pricing structure, which can require careful planning to manage costs effectively. Additionally, while it supports third-party apps, there can be a bias towards the Microsoft ecosystem in its design and integrations. This might require additional configuration for non-Microsoft environments.

How does Azure AD compare to Okta for identity management?

Azure AD, like Okta, offers comprehensive identity and access management services including SSO and MFA. A key differentiator for Azure AD is its deep integration with other Microsoft services, making it a strong choice for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Both provide enterprise-grade security features.

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