Alternatives to Samba

Open-source SMB file and print server that can also run as an Active Directory domain controller. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Samba.

  • Zentyal

    An Ubuntu-based Linux server with Active Directory compatibility, mail and network services for small offices.

    PaidProprietaryLinuxSelf-hosted

    Zentyal is a paid Ubuntu-based server with an Active Directory compatible domain controller plus mail and network services in one interface.

  • Univention Corporate Server

    A Linux-based server system providing open-source identity and access management for on-premises networks.

    FreemiumOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Univention Corporate Server is a full Linux server OS for on-premises identity management, needing a dedicated machine or VM.

  • FreeIPA

    Open-source identity management for Linux users and hosts, combining LDAP, Kerberos, DNS and certificates.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWebSelf-hostedCommand line

    FreeIPA provides Linux-centric identity management with LDAP, Kerberos, DNS and certificates and can trust Active Directory, but does not serve files and printers.

  • OpenLDAP

    Open-source implementation of LDAP, with a directory server, a load balancer, client libraries and tools.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    OpenLDAP is a standards-based LDAP directory with command-line tools and no graphical interface, and it does not provide Active Directory or file sharing.

  • Microsoft Entra ID

    Microsoft's cloud identity and access management service, formerly Azure Active Directory, with single sign-on support.

    PaidProprietaryWeb

    Microsoft Entra ID is Microsoft's paid cloud directory with single sign-on, replacing an on-premises domain controller with a hosted identity service.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Samba as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • 389 Directory Server

    An open-source LDAP directory server for Linux with multi-supplier replication.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Samba replaces a plain LDAP directory with an Active Directory domain controller on Linux, which suits Windows clients but can be complex to configure.

  • JumpCloud

    A cloud directory platform for managing user identities, access and devices across several operating systems.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidWeb

    Samba runs a self-hosted Active Directory domain controller on Linux, free and open source, without JumpCloud's cloud SSO and MFA.

  • LLDAP

    A lightweight LDAP server for managing users and groups through a simple web interface.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Samba can run as an Active Directory domain controller that also serves files and printers, though configuring its AD roles can be complex.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.