Compare AD Query vs. ManageEngine ADAudit Plus

A completely free tool designed for Active Directory allows users to search for specific users or computer objects and access schema attributes that are typically difficult to read. This utility is incredibly useful for examining and comparing schema data, requiring no installation—simply run the executable file. Perfect for use in Active Directory domains, it enables users to search individual domain accounts and computer entities while presenting object Schema and LDAP data in a straightforward interface. The tool also converts binary Schema data into a more understandable format, facilitating easy lookups of information such as email aliases and last login dates. Additionally, search results can be exported to an XML file for convenient viewing in Excel. With a small program size and rapid execution, this Active Directory query software is an invaluable time-saving resource for busy administrators. Overall, AD Query stands out as a free and efficient option for quickly auditing user accounts and computer objects in Active Directory, offering a level of detail beyond what the standard Users and Computers MMC provides by revealing all populated schema, LDAP, and Exchange mail-enabled attributes.

ADAudit Plus enhances the security and compliance of your Windows Server environment by delivering comprehensive insights into all operational activities. It offers a detailed overview of modifications made to Active Directory (AD) resources, encompassing AD objects and their respective attributes, group policies, and more. By conducting thorough AD audits, organizations can identify and mitigate insider threats, misuse of privileges, and other signs of potential security breaches, thereby bolstering their overall security framework. The tool enables users to monitor intricate details within AD, including entities such as users, computers, groups, organizational units (OUs), group policy objects (GPOs), schemas, and sites, along with their associated attributes. Furthermore, it tracks user management activities like the creation, deletion, password resets, and alterations in permissions, providing insights into the actions taken, the responsible individuals, the timing, and the originating locations. Additionally, it allows organizations to monitor the addition or removal of users from security and distribution groups, ensuring that access privileges are kept to the necessary minimum, which is critical for maintaining a secure environment. This level of oversight is vital for proactive security management and compliance adherence.