Auth0 vs Authelia: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Auth0 and Authelia comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Auth0 wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick Authelia if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Auth0
Identity platform for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want easy integration
- • You want many features
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Auth0 requires payment)
- • You want open source SSO
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Auth0 | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | 4.5/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Auth0 or Authelia?
Choose Auth0 if
Identity platform for developers
- You want easy integration
- You want many features
Choose Authelia if
Open-source authentication and authorization server
- You want a fully free tool (Auth0 requires payment)
- You want open source SSO
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | Auth0 | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 424 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Identity & AccessDeveloper Tools | Identity & AccessSecurity |
In-Depth Analysis
Auth0
Identity platform for developers
Auth0's free tier at 25,000 MAUs is the most generous in the identity space, far ahead of Firebase Auth (free at 50K MAUs but with fewer features) and Clerk (500 MAUs free).
Watch out
Overage pricing at $0.07/MAU applies per user beyond the base limit.
Strengths
- +Easy integration
- +Many features
- +Great docs
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -Complex pricing
Key features
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Authelia offers an incredibly generous pricing model as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +Open source SSO
- +Self-hostable
- +2FA support
- +Good documentation
- +Privacy focused
Weaknesses
- -Setup complexity
- -Self-managed only
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Maintenance needed
Key features
Pricing: Auth0 vs Authelia
| Plan | Auth0 | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 forever Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | 35 /month Essentials | N/A |
| Tier 3 | 240 /month Professional | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom /month Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Auth0 pricing and Authelia pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Authelia is free. Auth0 is freemium.
Go with: Authelia
Want the highest-rated option?
Auth0 is rated 4.5/5. Authelia has no ratings yet.
Go with: Auth0
Value user reviews?
Auth0: 424 reviews (4.5/5). Authelia: no ratings yet.
Go with: Auth0
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Auth0 is freemium. Authelia is free. Go with Authelia if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are identity & access tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Auth0 is rated 4.5/5; Authelia has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Auth0
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Authelia
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Auth0 wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. That said, Authelia is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auth0 or Authelia better?
Auth0 is rated in our evaluation. Auth0 is freemium and Authelia is free.
What are Auth0 and Authelia used for?
Auth0: Identity platform for developers. Authelia: Open-source authentication and authorization server.
What does Auth0 cost vs Authelia?
Auth0 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Authelia is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.