Authelia vs Keycloak: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Authelia 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: Keycloak 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
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You want open source SSO
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source identity
| At a Glance | Authelia | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Identity & Access Security |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Authelia or Keycloak?
Choose Authelia if
- You want open source SSO
- You want self-hostable
Choose Keycloak if
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
In-Depth Analysis
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Authelia offers an incredibly generous pricing model as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source SSO
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: 2FA support
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Privacy focused
Weaknesses
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Self-managed only
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Maintenance needed
Key features
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Keycloak's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free as an open-source solution.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source identity
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Feature rich
- Pro: No per-user cost
- Pro: Enterprise ready
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex to set up
- Con: Requires maintenance
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Java-based
- Con: UI dated
Key features
Pricing: Authelia vs Keycloak
| Plan | Authelia | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Authelia pricing and Keycloak pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Authelia
- Choose if you want open-source authentication and authorization server
The Bottom Line
Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Authelia or Keycloak better in 2026?
Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick Authelia for identity & access workflows (main strength: open source SSO). Pick Keycloak for identity & access workflows (main strength: open source identity).
What are Authelia and Keycloak used for?
Authelia: Open-source authentication and authorization server. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does Authelia cost vs Keycloak?
Authelia is free. Keycloak is free.
What's the main difference between Authelia and Keycloak?
Authelia's main strength: open source SSO. Keycloak's main strength: open source identity.