How many users should be in your network before you can justify using Active Directory?

You can typically justify using Active Directory (AD) when your network has around 50 to 100 users. At this scale, the benefits of centralized management, security, and user authentication become more apparent. However, organizations with fewer users may still benefit from AD if they expect growth or require specific features like Group Policy or integration with other Microsoft services. Ultimately, the decision should also consider the complexity of the IT environment and specific organizational needs.