Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) reviews, pricing and features 2025

reviewer2093676

Cybersecurity Engineer at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees

Apr 18, 2025

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Enhance security with granular identity controls and conditional access policies

Pros and Cons

"The best feature of Microsoft Entra ID is that it provides more granular control over user identities."

"In terms of improvement, we face issues with latency and responsiveness. Changes take some time to reflect across all users, sometimes up to twenty-four hours, which can be challenging when we need to implement drastic changes."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Microsoft Entra ID for multiple purposes, such as managing all authentications and changing passwords online. Previously, we relied on an on-premise network, which required us to be on-site to change passwords. With Microsoft Entra ID, we can synchronize it from anywhere on the network. We have an Azure AD Premium license and utilize features like conditional access policies to control identities. We use it primarily for managing identities inside the organization.

What is most valuable?

The best feature of Microsoft Entra ID is that it provides more granular control over user identities. The conditional access policy feature is particularly valuable, and it's something we use frequently. Microsoft Entra ID helps us manage identities according to security standards, and it allows us to implement least privilege access effectively. The logging and monitoring capabilities give us insights into activities, offering a single pane of visibility to detect anomalies, ensuring enhanced security.

What needs improvement?

In terms of improvement, we face issues with latency and responsiveness. Changes take some time to reflect across all users, sometimes up to twenty-four hours, which can be challenging when we need to implement drastic changes. Additionally, Microsoft's documentation can be insufficient. Some technical configuration details are missing, requiring us to consult external sources like forums or communities. They need to improve their documentation to ensure all necessary technical information is covered.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Microsoft Entra ID for six to seven years. Before that, we had an on-premises Active Directory environment, and then we transitioned to a hybrid setup with Azure connect. This has been our setup for around six to seven years.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Entra ID is stable. It functions as it is designed, but improvements regarding the responsiveness of the solution are needed. Sometimes, rolling back changes takes longer than expected, affecting our operations.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Entra ID is scalable. It integrates well with third-party tools.

How are customer service and support?

I have experienced mixed results with technical support. Sometimes the support is excellent and technical issues are resolved quickly. However, there are times when complex tickets are assigned to non-technical personnel, which prolongs resolution times. After a delay, we might find out that an issue is out of scope for a particular agent, causing further delays.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used on-premises Active Directory and switched to Microsoft Entra ID to reduce infrastructure. We have a hybrid environment now but maintain some local infrastructure for testing purposes.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft Entra ID is not straightforward; it sits between easy and tough. Implementing features requires vigilance and certainty before making changes due to its complexity. Microsoft's documentation misses some technical details, creating a need to refer to external resources for certain configurations.

What about the implementation team?

Our deployment was done in-house. We did not use an integrator, reseller, or managed service provider.

What was our ROI?

Microsoft Entra ID provides visibility for security, such as tracking identity movements. By not relying on an on-premises solution, our infrastructure management is simplified, which aids in disaster recovery planning. We also integrate security features like risky users policies that enhance our security architecture. This contributes to a good ROI.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft Entra ID at eight to 8.5 out of 10 overall. The solution is mature, with a big community and a strong reputation in the market. It's recommended due to its features and community support, though implementation challenges and documentation issues require attention. Community support and Microsoft's reputation are valuable, but the latency and documentation need improvement.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

Last updated: Apr 18, 2025