AWS Directory Service Reviews

Name: AWS Directory Service
Brand: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Rating: 4.3 (14 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

14 reviews
92% willing to recommend

What is AWS Directory Service?

AWS Directory Service lets you run Microsoft Active Directory (AD) as a managed service. AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory, also referred to as AWS Managed Microsoft AD, is powered by Windows Server 2012 R2. When you select and launch this directory type, it is created as a highly available pair of domain controllers connected to your virtual private cloud (VPC). The domain controllers run in different Availability Zones in a region of your choice. Host monitoring and recovery, data replication, snapshots, and software updates are automatically configured and managed for you.

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AWS Directory Service is the #16 ranked solution in top Identity and Access Management as a Service providers. PeerSpot users give AWS Directory Service an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. AWS Directory Service is most commonly compared to Microsoft Entra ID: AWS Directory Service vs Microsoft Entra ID. AWS Directory Service is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 57% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)

March 2025

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Featured AWS Directory Service reviews

Basa Saiteja

Consultant at Infosys

The solution is scalable, and we can scale according to our needs. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten. In our organization, our access to our AWS comes from IAM. We use AWS consoles using our credentials and don't have route access, so each person will log in through our IAM programmatic access, and everyone on our team can work on cloud. Over 10,000 people in our organization utilize the solution.

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MassimilianoCollavo

Computer Area Instructor of the Municipality of Asolo at Comune di asolo

I've been working with AWS Directory Service as part of a broader solution for moving our infrastructure to a hybrid cloud model. Initially, the goal was to replicate our on-premises server to the cloud and then eventually shut down the on-premises server entirely. My work with AWS Directory Service is focused on migrating to the cloud and finding a suitable document management system that allows for online editing, document sharing, and workflow management. I rate it an eight out of ten.

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VamsiMohan

CTO at Huber

The initial setup can be simple. Most of our Active Directories, as well as previous engagements, have been straightforward with other Active Directories, but some of the directories are not directly straightforward when we bring this to AWS. It is straightforward if we use AWS identity services. However, it is somewhat critical in the case of migration. It took one week to complete the installation. We have a core team of four who maintain and support this solution.

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AWS Directory Service mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of AWS Directory Service in the Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) category stands at 1.8%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS)

Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

AWS Directory Service offers manageability, ease of use, and high redundancy. Users appreciate the cloud-based infrastructure, eliminating hardware costs, with features like disaster recovery and security. It integrates well with other tools, offering two-step authentication and access management. The system's manageability and performance with good availability and minimal downtime are praised, along with cost-cutting capabilities. The graphic-based interface eases integration, enhancing the flexibility and usability of AWS Directory Service.

"The pricing is very good because it is low and there is no management cost."
"The AD Connector is very good and easy to implement."
"The solution integrates well with other tools, particularly through single sign-on, allowing users to connect to various applications using just one password, including email."

Room for Improvement

AWS Directory Service needs enhanced integration with business solutions, support for Exchange servers, and more domain controller features. Improving group policy, memory monitoring, and on-premises access through IAM is also important. Users seek better consistency in the Northeast region, a simplified instance migration process, and clearer security protocols. Cost of support and integration with Cisco and Exchange services need attention. More resources and bandwidth are needed to ease regional overload, especially in the Northeast.

"Currently, there is no option to integrate our on-premises Cisco AWS Directory Service, requiring some manual configuration. If AWS Active Directory Service provided additional domain controller functionalities, like other on-premises Active Directory, it would be very helpful."
"Currently, there is no option to integrate our on-premises Cisco AWS Directory Service, requiring some manual configuration."
"I've encountered challenges, particularly with Amazon WorkDocs, which is being deprecated. This has made it necessary to find an alternative document management solution that can handle editing, sharing, and workflow management for documents like Word files and PDFs."

Pricing

AWS Directory Service pricing is perceived as reasonable with no extra licensing fees, offering monthly or annual payment options. While its cost structure can appear convoluted, AWS provides tools for estimating expenses based on usage. Upfront payments offer savings, and there are no hidden fees post-purchase. Users appreciate not having management costs due to the service’s integration. Overall, opinions vary, primarily depending on organizational needs, usage patterns, and internal cost understanding.

"We pay an annual subscription fee."
"AWS' pricing is fair, and costs can be cut if you look carefully at when you're using it."
"The pricing depends because with AWS there are two types of directory objects: 30,000 and 500,000. It varies. AWS provides the pricing calculators so we can get an estimate from there as per the company requirement of how many users and objects that we need to create. So we can go to that portal, put in the data, and get the quotation.There are no extra licensing fees. It's all included."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize AWS Directory Service for authenticating domain access, managing user credentials, and securing cloud infrastructure connections, including MFA. It's used extensively for managing permissions, interacting with cloud resources, and integrating services like IAM. Additionally, it's implemented for server hosting, policy configuration, and financial service security. AWS Directory Service facilitates Windows machine authentication and domain joining, enhancing security layers for user management and resource accessibility across multiple accounts and applications.

Service and Support

AWS Directory Service customer service and support receive mixed responses. Some find the technical support excellent, rating it highly. It is described as knowledgeable, helpful, and available 24/7 through email or phone. The cost of support is noted to be high. Several users manage without contacting support, opting for self-support instead. Others affirm quick and direct responses when assistance is sought, implying prompt and effective service.

Deployment

AWS Directory Service's initial setup tends to be straightforward, often quick for knowledgeable users. Many find the process easy, aided by comprehensive documentation. Some report rapid deployment, while others take longer due to complexities like migrations. Instances are often created with JSON scripts. Teams of various sizes manage these setups, indicating the process's accessibility. Initial issues may arise, but users generally rate the setup highly, emphasizing its user-friendly nature.

Scalability

AWS Directory Service is considered highly scalable by multiple users. Various organizations plan to expand their usage, and the service accommodates substantial directory objects, offering flexibility for growing needs. Users appreciate its capacity, with some facing challenges in instance scaling. The service enables easy connection with existing infrastructure and is regarded as maintenance-free. Many employ the service for access management, highlighting its adaptability for thousands of users, while others leverage its capabilities with minimal personnel involved.

Stability

Users find AWS Directory Service stable with a 99.99% uptime, efficiently performing with minimal CPU usage. Challenges include schema uploads during migrations, but AWS support resolves these effectively. It's more stable in containerized environments, though cloud-based setups face occasional security threats. Continuous maintenance like server patching ensures smooth operation. Receiving high ratings, users recommend understanding the system for optimal use and appreciate its reliability across multiple availability zones. Stability ratings vary up to nine out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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