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Microsoft Entra ID vs Azure AD Comparison

Last updated:

Microsoft Entra ID

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Small Business

Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management platform that controls how employees, customers, and partners authenticate and access applications, devices, and data. It supports single sign-on, multi-…

Azure AD

4.4(83 reviews)

Starting at $6 /User/Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is an identity and access management solution that helps to: keep user identities and access secure, reduce help desk calls by providing self-service capabilities for users, and enhance…

Azure AD leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 83 reviews.

Microsoft Entra ID vs Azure AD — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft Entra IDAzure AD
Rating4.4 / 5
Reviews83
Starting priceContact for pricing$6 /User/Month
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Small Business, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryIdentity and Access Management (IAM) SoftwareIdentity and Access Management (IAM) Software
PlatformsBrowser Based (Cloud), Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobal

Key differences between Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD

  • Pricing: Azure AD starts at $6 /User/Month. Microsoft Entra ID pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Deployment: Microsoft Entra ID supports Browser Based (Cloud), Installed - Windows; Azure AD supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.

Microsoft Entra ID vs Azure AD — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Microsoft Entra ID
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Azure AD - Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft Entra ID

Best for enterprise IAM with deep Microsoft ecosystem integration.

Choose if
  • You need robust identity and access management for 50+ employees.
  • Your organization relies on Microsoft 365 and Azure services.
  • You require scalable, cloud-based security for hybrid workforces.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a very small business with minimal IT infrastructure.
  • Your organization does not use cloud or hybrid environments.

Azure AD

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Microsoft Entra ID typically suits Large Enterprises and Small Business. Azure AD tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management platform that controls how employees, customers, and partners authenticate and access applications, devices, and data. It ... Read More about Microsoft Entra ID

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is an identity and access management solution that helps to: keep user identities and access secure, reduce help desk calls by providing self-service ... Read More about Azure AD

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $6

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

9.0/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.36

(83)

Best Company Size

51-500 employees500+ employees
50 to 10,000 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Azure AD

  • Simplified Identity Management: With Azure AD, we can simplify user identity management across our organization. It allows administrators to easily manage user access to applications and resources, confirming that the right people have the right access at all times.
  • Strong Security Features: Protecting sensitive data requires strong security measures. Azure AD provides multi-factor authentication and conditional access policies that help safeguard systems against unauthorized access while maintaining an easy user experience.
  • Smooth Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: If your organization uses Microsoft services, you'll appreciate how Azure AD integrates smoothly with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Dynamics 365. This builds collaboration and improves productivity without juggling multiple logins.
Best fit

Best fit

Azure AD

  • 50 to 10,000 employees
  • Fintech, SaaS, Consulting, Healthcare, and Education
  • IT Administrators, Security Managers, Compliance Officers, and HR Managers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Azure AD

  • Vendor lock-in concerns — teams prefer solutions with open APIs and multi-platform support
  • Pricing — competitors offer lower per-user costs or consumption-based models for organizations under 500 employees
  • Limited customization — role-based access control rules cannot be modified without Microsoft support intervention

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

Microsoft Entra ID has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

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How do Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $6

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft Entra ID pricing
      Azure AD pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global

      Microsoft Entra ID User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      No reviews available for this product

      55

      21

      4

      3

      1

      Pros and Cons

      • Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem

      • Comprehensive access control and authentication features

      • Cloud-based scalability and reliability

      • Pricing details are not publicly available

      • Potential complexity for smaller teams without dedicated IT staff

      • **Streamlined Identity Management**: With Azure AD, we can simplify user identity management across our organization. It allows administrators to effortlessly manage user access to applications and resources, ensuring that the right people have the right access at all times.

      • **Enhanced Security Features**: We all want to protect our sensitive data, and Azure AD offers advanced security measures like multi-factor authentication and conditional access policies. This means we can confidently safeguard our systems against unauthorized access while maintaining a seamless user experience.

      • **Seamless Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem**: If your organization relies on Microsoft services, you'll appreciate how Azure AD integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Dynamics 365. This fosters collaboration and enhances productivity without the hassle of juggling multiple logins.

      • The sheer abundance of options and features can feel complex and overwhelming.

      • Some advanced reporting capabilities are locked behind Premium pricing tiers.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Microsoft Entra ID or Azure AD? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Avanade

      Avanade

      Grant Thornton

      Grant Thornton

      Derby County Community Trust

      Derby County Community Trust

      monday.com

      monday.com

      BP

      BP

      Uniper

      Uniper

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Apps Dashboard

      1 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Microsoft Entra ID or Azure AD?
      Azure AD edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD offer a free trial?
      Neither Microsoft Entra ID nor Azure AD currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft Entra ID vs Azure AD?
      Microsoft Entra ID starts at Contact for pricing. Azure AD starts at $6 /User/Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Entra ID?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft Entra ID include miniOrange Identity and Access Management, Azure AD, RSA SecurID, JumpCloud, Microsoft Azure AD.
      What are the top alternatives to Azure AD?
      Top alternatives to Azure AD include Okta, Oracle Identity Management, SailPoint IdentityIQ, AWS IAM, One Identity.