# Cakewalk vs Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Cakewalk](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cakewalk) is a commercial [identity governance and administration](https://cybersectools.com/categories/iga) solution by [Cakewalk](https://cybersectools.com/companies/cakewalk). [Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software](https://cybersectools.com/tools/netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software) is a commercial [identity governance and administration](https://cybersectools.com/categories/iga) solution by [Netwrix](https://cybersectools.com/companies/netwrix). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Cakewalk | Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Identity Governance and Administration | Identity Governance and Administration |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Cakewalk | Netwrix |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Cakewalk | Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software |
|---|---|---|
| RBAC | Yes | – |
| Non-Human Identity | Yes | – |
| Agentic AI Security | Yes | – |
| SSO | Yes | – |
| Shadow AI | Yes | – |
| Least Privilege | Yes | – |
| Permissions | Yes | – |
| Workflow | Yes | – |
| Visibility | Yes | – |
| AI Governance | Yes | – |
| Active Directory | – | Yes |
| Azure | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Cakewalk**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software**

6 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Cakewalk**

39 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software**

2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Cakewalk](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cakewalk) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software](https://cybersectools.com/tools/netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.

## Cakewalk vs Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software FAQ

Common questions when comparing Cakewalk vs Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software for identity governance and administration.

### What is the difference between Cakewalk and Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software?

**Cakewalk**: Agentic access mgmt platform for human & AI identity governance, built by Cakewalk.

**Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software**: Automates user/group lifecycle mgmt across directories with delegation & self-service, built by Netwrix.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Cakewalk and Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software?

**Cakewalk** is made by Cakewalk. **Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software** is made by Netwrix. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Cakewalk a good alternative to Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software?

Often, yes. Cakewalk and Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software are both Identity Governance and Administration products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Cakewalk vs Lumos Autonomous Identity Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cakewalk-vs-lumos-autonomous-identity-platform)
- [Cakewalk vs Opti Risk Mitigation](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cakewalk-vs-opti-risk-mitigation)
- [Cakewalk vs YeshID](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cakewalk-vs-yeshid)
- [Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software vs Lumos Autonomous Identity Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/lumos-autonomous-identity-platform-vs-netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software)
- [Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software vs Opti Risk Mitigation](https://cybersectools.com/compare/netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software-vs-opti-risk-mitigation)
- [Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software vs YeshID](https://cybersectools.com/compare/netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software-vs-yeshid)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Cakewalk alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/cakewalk)
- [See all Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/cakewalk-vs-netwrix-directory-manager-entra-id-and-active-directory-management-software

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/cakewalk.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Cakewalk and Netwrix Directory Manager: Entra ID & Active Directory Management Software: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md
