ManageEngine ADAudit Plus vs PA File Sight

ManageEngine ADAudit Plus is an on-premises auditing and monitoring tool for Active Directory environments. It provides real-time alerts, configuration monitoring, compliance reports, and agentless monitoring. Listed platforms include Windows Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, AWS Managed Microsoft AD, AD FS, Azure, AWS, GCP, Windows Server, Windows and macOS workstations, Windows file servers, Windows failover clusters, and supported NAS devices. The product is available for web and Windows. Its free edition covers 25 workstations. The 30-day trial lists limits of five domain controllers, two file servers, one NetApp or EMC file server, ten member servers, and 100 workstations. Standard costs $595 a year and lists two domain controllers; Professional costs $945 a year and also lists two domain controllers. ManageEngine was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, United States.

PA File Sight monitors file integrity, helps protect against ransomware, prevents data loss, and audits file access. It records who creates, reads, changes, moves, or deletes files and folders, with usernames, IP addresses, and computer names. For network-based ransomware, it uses honeypots, heuristics, and executable allow rules to detect and stop attacks. Real-time rules can identify file copying and block access to cloud folders or external drives. Lite and Ultra editions are available; Ultra adds historical reports and advanced alerts for copying activity or information leaks. The product is on-premises, keeping settings, databases, and network information on customer servers. An embedded database is the default, with Microsoft SQL Server as an alternative. Communications use SSL/TLS by default, while stored credentials are encrypted with Microsoft's CryptProtectData function. The central server and Satellite software require 64-bit Windows. The download includes a fully functional 30-day trial without a credit card or purchase. Listed prices include a 30.00 USD monthly Ultra subscription and perpetual licenses.