Auth0 vs Keycloak: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Auth0 and Keycloak 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. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane. Pick Keycloak 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
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Auth0 requires payment)
- • You want open source identity
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Auth0 | |
|---|---|---|
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 Keycloak?
Choose Auth0 if
Identity platform for developers
- You want easy integration
- You want many features
Choose Keycloak if
Open-source identity and access management
- You want a fully free tool (Auth0 requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | Auth0 | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 420 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. This was increased 300% from the previous $0.023/MAU rate, a 50,000-MAU B2C app on Essentials pays ~$3,500/month, not $35.
Strengths
- +Easy integration
- +Many features
- +Great docs
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -Complex pricing
Key features
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Keycloak's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free as an open-source solution.
Strengths
- +Open source identity
- +Self-hostable
- +Feature rich
- +No per-user cost
- +Enterprise ready
Weaknesses
- -Complex to set up
- -Requires maintenance
- -Learning curve
- -Java-based
- -UI dated
Key features
Pricing: Auth0 vs Keycloak
| Plan | Auth0 | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 forever Free | Free Open Source |
| 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 Keycloak pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keycloak is free. Auth0 is freemium.
Go with: Keycloak
Want the highest-rated option?
Auth0 is rated 4.5/5. Keycloak has no ratings yet.
Go with: Auth0
Value user reviews?
Auth0: 420 reviews (4.5/5). Keycloak: no ratings yet.
Go with: Auth0
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Auth0 is freemium. Keycloak is free. Go with Keycloak 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; Keycloak has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Auth0
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Keycloak
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Auth0 wins this matchup. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane. That said, Keycloak is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auth0 or Keycloak better?
Auth0 is rated in our evaluation. Auth0 is freemium and Keycloak is free.
What are Auth0 and Keycloak used for?
Auth0: Identity platform for developers. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does Auth0 cost vs Keycloak?
Auth0 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Keycloak is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.