No more typing reviews! Try our Samantha, our new voice AI agent.

Microsoft Active Directory vs Thales SafeNet Trusted Access comparison

Why PeerSpot?
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 18, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Active Directory
Ranking in Single Sign-On (SSO)
9th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
47
Ranking in other categories
Active Directory Management (3rd)
Thales SafeNet Trusted Access
Ranking in Single Sign-On (SSO)
19th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (24th), Access Management (28th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Active Directory is 2.7%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Thales SafeNet Trusted Access is 1.8%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Single Sign-On (SSO) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Microsoft Active Directory2.7%
Thales SafeNet Trusted Access1.8%
Other95.5%
Single Sign-On (SSO)
 

Featured Reviews

Eko Kurniawan - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Operations & Security at veris
Has simplified credential management and improved secure access control across departments
The features I find most useful in Microsoft Active Directory are especially for the Single Sign-On. This is very useful for users, particularly if they have plenty of applications, such as tablet applications. When they log in to their computer, the application will automatically log in with their credentials. They don't need to remember another user and password to log in to the application because it's already maintained with Microsoft Active Directory using Single Sign-On. To assess the impact of Microsoft Active Directory's centralized domain management on security protocols and access permissions, Microsoft Active Directory itself has constraints with security because when we have a solution such as SSO or Single Sign-On, which makes it easier for users to log in, some parts have security openings. When their computer is compromised with a threat, malware, or other cyber threats, it becomes easier to enter the application without login permission.
reviewer1719510 - PeerSpot reviewer
Regional Sales Manager at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Great validation and integrity features of the endpoint
Our primary use case of Safenet is for cybersecurity incidents, particularly for remote users.  I'm the customer sales leader and a key account manager and we are customers of Thales.  The validation and integrity features of the endpoint are great. Whether you're using a Mac OS or other operating…

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"It is easy to handle, and it gives a hundred percent results with the group policies."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Active Directory is the ability to search for computers and users. While I do not have administrative privileges to reset passwords, I can view user information such as department, and communicate with someone who can make the changes."
"The ability for a single sign-on for applications."
"It is a scalable solution."
"We use the tool for FSMO, policies, and customized user registrations."
"The solution is stable."
"It's useful in bringing order to the system."
"Audit, authentication and authorization are the best features."
"The interface is easy to use."
"Right now, we only have a small use case for the product, however, it has performed well."
"The solution is simple to use."
"I recommend this solution because it protects information."
"The validation and integrity features of the endpoint are great."
 

Cons

"Sometimes, it can be overly complicated, and when you apply Group Policy in an Active Directory environment, sometimes those settings apply and sometimes they don't."
"If Microsoft is going to add anything to the on-prem solution, it should be an updated GUI."
"The technical support team does not give prompt responses."
"Sometimes support takes long to engage and resolve, extending over weeks or even months."
"In my experience, it's difficult to manage Microsoft Active Directory when the server is attacked by a threat or malware."
"The solution should maintain the infrastructure according to the period you are in and the security changes."
"The product's premium support services could be less expensive."
"Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services is very difficult for on-premises solutions, while for the cloud solution, it's very easy."
"There's a dependency on Microsoft Azure."
"SafeNet's reporting and monitoring features could be improved."
"I'd like to see more networking features, such as the ability to integrate network monitoring solutions and authenticate the app users."
"The scalability may not be there."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product's premium support services are expensive."
"The solution is based on a licensing model."
"The license is perpetual and the cost is minimal. If you purchase Microsoft Windows then Microsoft Active Directory comes with the package."
"My company makes payments every quarter towards the licensing costs of the product."
"We purchase the license for the solution on a yearly basis."
"The price of Microsoft Active Directory could improve. We pay annually for the solution."
"I rate the product’s pricing a five out of ten."
"Its price is reasonable."
Information not available
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions are best for your needs.
917,433 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Outsourcing Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
11%
Construction Company
10%
Performing Arts
9%
Legal Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business21
Midsize Enterprise7
Large Enterprise20
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Microsoft Active Directory?
The best way to protect this is to use Microsoft Defender. For Microsoft support for Microsoft Active Directory, I would rate it as eight. If I give it 10, it would be too perfect. Eight is fair. M...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Active Directory?
My main use cases for Microsoft Active Directory are to manage user access and credentials.
What advice do you have for others considering Microsoft Active Directory?
Regarding Microsoft Active Directory's integration with third-party applications, it depends on the requirements. It's not always linked or combined with Microsoft Active Directory. In my experienc...
Ask a question
Earn 20 points
 

Also Known As

No data available
SafeNet Trusted Access, Gemalto SafeNet Trusted Access
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
IBM, Western Union, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Novartis, and AT&T.
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Active Directory vs. Thales SafeNet Trusted Access and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
917,433 professionals have used our research since 2012.