Understanding the Difference Between Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and 2

Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform that provides a range of services for businesses, including Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and 2. When it comes to choosing the right plan for your business, it is important to understand the difference between the two plans. In this write up, we will discuss what makes each plan unique, how you can tell which plan you have, cost comparisons, and more. 

What is the Difference between Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 and 2? 

The main difference between these two plans is their features and functionality. For example, with Azure Active Directory (AAD) Premium Plan 1 you get access to advanced identity protection features such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR), identity protection policies, conditional access policies, and more.  

With Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 2 you get access to all of those features plus additional ones such as application proxy services, security reporting, integration with on-premises resources, and more. 

Is Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 Free? 

No. While there are free versions of Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 available through Microsoft’s Office 365 plan and other subscription packages for small businesses, Azure Active Directory Premium Plans are not free. However, if you are already an Office 365 user then some of the premium features will be included in your subscription package. 

How do I Know If I Have Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 or 2? 

If you are an Office 365 user, then log into your account to check your subscription details to know if you have either of these plans or not. If you don’t have an Office 365 account, then contact your IT department or service provider for assistance in identifying which plan you currently have access to. 

To determine whether you have Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 or 2, you can log into your Azure portal and view your subscription details. Navigate to the Azure Active Directory page and select ‘Subscription’ in the left pane. From there, you should be able to see what type of plan you are subscribed to under the ‘Current Subscription Plan’ section. If it states, ‘Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1’, then that indicates that you have that particular plan, and likewise for Premium Plan 2. Additionally, if you are unsure which features are associated with each plan, you can view the Microsoft documentation which outlines all the features associated with each of these plans. 

What are the Costs of Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and Plan 2? 

Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and Plan 2 are both subscription-based services that offer a variety of features to secure your cloud environment, such as identity and access management, Single Sign-On (SSO), password protection, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and much more. Both plans have an annual fee with a one-time setup cost. 

Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1’s cost is per user per month, with a one-time setup fee. There is also a free version of Azure AD available if you don’t need the additional features provided by the premium plan. 

Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 2 on the other hand is cost per user per month and has no setup cost. This plan includes all the benefits of Plan 1 plus additional security features such as identity protection and information protection. It also gives users access to advanced reporting capabilities and other advanced functions like Azure AD Connect Health. 

Both plans offer discounts for larger organizations if well negotiated during purchase. The pricing for these discounts varies depending on the number of licenses purchased. 

Do Users Need a License for Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and 2? 

Yes – all users need a license to access Azure Active Directory Premium features regardless of whether they are an employee or contractor associated with the organization that purchased the license(s).    

What are the Available Subscription Plans for Microsoft’s Cloud Platform? 

In addition to AAD premium plans there are also Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) plans available for larger organizations and Dynamics 365 Business Central plans available for smaller businesses looking for cloud solutions tailored specifically towards their needs and requirements.     

Knowing the features of other Azure Active Directory Premium Plans 1 and Plan 2 and what they offer is not enough to decide on which to purchase. You will also need to understand compliance terms and what to do during the period of use.  

Reading, understanding and scouting for which software to use can interfere in your busy day to day activity and this we want to take off your mind so you can be more productive. Allow our team of experts who have years of experience to conduct the necessary in-house investigation on your behalf and advise accordingly which of the plans will best suit your business demands. 

Infact anything On-Premises or Cloud is our area of expertise and we will assist you immediately. Contact us today.

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