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Samba vs SSSD: catalog facts
Samba	SSSD
Free Free and open source under the GNU GPL.	Free Free and open source.
Linux, Self-hosted	Linux
Serves files and printers to Windows, macOS and Linux clients Can run as an Active Directory domain controller	Joins Linux machines to Active Directory, FreeIPA or LDAP Uses remote identities and domain policies for login
Configuration can be complex, especially for AD roles Runs on Linux and Unix-like systems only	Linux only Requires an existing directory or identity domain to connect to
Downloadable app, Self-hosted	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.