AWS Directory Service Reviews & Product Details

AWS Directory Service is a fully managed service that enables organizations to run Microsoft Active Directory (AD) in the AWS Cloud without the need to deploy and maintain their own infrastructure. It simplifies the integration of AD-dependent applications and services, allowing users to access AWS resources using their existing AD credentials. Key Features and Functionality: - Managed Microsoft Active Directory: AWS Directory Service offers a native Microsoft AD environment, eliminating the need for data synchronization or replication from on-premises directories. - High Availability: The service deploys domain controllers across multiple Availability Zones, ensuring resilience and continuous operation. - Seamless Integration: It integrates with various AWS services, including Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS for SQL Server, and Amazon WorkSpaces, facilitating the deployment of directory-aware workloads. - Security and Compliance: AWS Directory Service provides end-to-end encryption and meets compliance standards such as SOC, PCI, HIPAA, and FedRAMP. - Scalability: The service supports organizations of different sizes, offering Standard, Enterprise, and Hybrid editions to meet varying needs. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: AWS Directory Service addresses the challenges of managing and scaling Active Directory infrastructure by offering a fully managed, secure, and scalable solution in the cloud. It enables organizations to: - Simplify Cloud Migration: Easily migrate AD-dependent workloads to AWS without modifying existing applications or user credentials. - Enhance Security: Leverage AWS's robust security measures to protect directory data and meet regulatory compliance requirements. - Reduce Operational Overhead: Offload routine maintenance tasks such as patching, monitoring, and backups to AWS, allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives. - Ensure High Availability: Benefit from a highly available directory service that spans multiple Availability Zones, providing resilience against failures. By utilizing AWS Directory Service, organizations can seamlessly extend their on-premises AD to the cloud, maintain a consistent user experience, and efficiently manage access to AWS resources.

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Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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AWS Directory Service Community

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User Insights

Average based on 21 real user reviews.

AWS Directory Service Integrations

(5)

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AWS Directory Service Reviews FAQs

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Last updated: Nov 04, 2026

What is AWS Directory Service, and what problem is it built to solve?

AWS Directory Service is used to run or connect directory services in the cloud, helping teams manage identities and centralize authentication for cloud workloads. It can also reduce the operational work involved in maintaining directory infrastructure.

What company sizes and industries is AWS Directory Service the best fit for?

AWS Directory Service is most represented among mid-market and enterprise organizations, with activity also spanning several industries. The clearest industry clusters are:

Company size: Mid-market organizations
Company size: Enterprise organizations
Industry: Utilities
Industry: Computer software
Industry: Financial services

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Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

12/4/2018

Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.

"Active Directory"

4/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

The best part is to have 3 options that helps customers choose the right option that would help their situation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

Its really hard to setup client to access AWS microsoft AD service. At least for the first time when we setup the service, it was hard to find documentation to setup client to access the AD as a service platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Shahbaz Z.

Cloud Manager

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

11/28/2018

Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.

"Managed AD Services"

3.5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

Managed AD services with minimum effort. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

Managed DNS and route 53 need to be aligned. Two way trust between on-prem and managed AD require for most of the AWS services Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Financial Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

11/27/2018

"Review of AWS Directory Service"

4/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

AWS handles the complexity and presents you with just the directory tools that you need to manage your directory. It's extremely quick and simple to get started, whereas deploying an on-premises domain service is very time consuming and complicated. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

Some advanced functionality that exists in a traditional on-prem domain is not available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Insurance

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

11/28/2018

"Great simple AD service"

4/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

We use Simple AD and it was extremely quick and easy to set up and utilize. The deployment takes under 15 minutes and it was up and running. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

I didn't run into any issues with the service. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Defense & Space

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

6/5/2018

"Review"

3.5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

Overall It's a great product. Learned how to use this product from the current company from my boss and it wasn't hard to learn it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

There is a lot of room for customization. That often can be frustrating, especially for the first timers. Although it's not the products fault, when there is a bad Internet connection in the office, it was hard to login to the directory. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering AWS Directory Service:

Every company is different. There are all kinds of products out there. I learned this product after I joined the current firm. While this product seems to be working very well for my company and I have zero complaints. Ultimately, each company has to decide what's good for them. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is AWS Directory Service solving and how is that benefiting you?

Managing the Active Directory on the cloud. For me and my company, it's easy accessibility to the Active Directory from other regions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

10/6/2018

"I've used it in several AWS accounts and regions and had no issues with it so far"

4/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

In my experience working with this, this is stable and reliable. We use it as connectors (AD connector) to link the corporate domains to AWS. One thing I like is it is easy to set up, even the automation is easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

At times, the config file used to set up is sometimes too immature and limited. I wish it would support more defined or customizability when setting up connectors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Utilities

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

11/26/2018

"Works S advertised"

5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

Alerts when issues arise and we’ve had no issues Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

Backups are not very long can’t restore from 30 days ago Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Health, Wellness and Fitness

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

7/24/2018

"Simplify your IT management with AWS Directory Service"

4.5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

Ease of setup and maintenance and the ability to scale Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

Not able to name snapshots so managing them can be challenging Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Networking

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3/21/2018

"AWS review"

5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

Overall experience has been wonderful. Ease of use and availability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

There is a lot of features available, to chose which one you need is cumbersome at times. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Telecommunications

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

6/21/2018

"Great Services for storing files"

4.5/5

What do you like best about AWS Directory Service?

I really like that it is easy to use and very quick. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about AWS Directory Service?

That when using Amazon glacier, there is no sort of GUI for Mac OS. There is a way to do it but it is too complicated. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.