Alternatives to Univention Corporate Server

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

  • Zentyal

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

    PaidProprietaryLinuxSelf-hosted

    Zentyal is an Ubuntu-based server offering an Active Directory compatible domain controller plus mail and network services, but it requires a paid licence after the trial.

  • FreeIPA

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWebSelf-hostedCommand line

    FreeIPA is free open source identity management combining LDAP, Kerberos, DNS and certificates for Linux hosts, with Active Directory trusts, but it is Linux-centric.

  • Samba

    Open-source SMB file and print server that can also run as an Active Directory domain controller.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Samba can run as an Active Directory domain controller and file server on Linux under GPL-3.0, but configuration is complex and there is no bundled management interface.

  • JumpCloud

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

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidWeb

    JumpCloud moves identity to a hosted cloud directory with device management, SSO, MFA and RADIUS, replacing on-premises servers with a paid service.

  • 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 a paid cloud-only identity service with single sign-on, tied to Microsoft's platform rather than running on your own servers.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Univention Corporate Server 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

    Univention Corporate Server delivers identity management as a full Linux server OS with VM images, so it needs a dedicated machine or VM.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.