Microsoft Azure · Security

Microsoft Entra Domain Services

Microsoft Entra Domain Services provides managed domain services on Azure, handling the heavy lifting of Active Directory infrastructure. It delivers core capabilities like domain joining, group policy management, and LDAP queries without requiring you to deploy, manage, or patch domain controllers. This shifts the operational burden to Microsoft, offering a streamlined alternative to self-hosted AD environments for identity management tasks.

This service targets teams needing standard AD features without the maintenance overhead of traditional domain controllers. The main trade-off is the lack of a free tier, meaning costs start immediately under a pay-as-you-go model. You pay for the managed service from day one, which contrasts with some Azure offerings that offer initial free allowances, making budget planning essential for smaller projects.

• Free tier No
• Pricing Pay as you go
• Regions 12 · 6 continents
• SLA uptime 99.99%
• Compliance 13 certifications
• Provider health A