BoxyHQ vs Zitadel: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between BoxyHQ and Zitadel 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: Zitadel wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick BoxyHQ if you need a free tier to start with.
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:
BoxyHQ
Modern, modular, and scalable Identity & Access Management for all your applications and agents.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly flexible and modular architecture allows for custom solutions
Zitadel
Open-source identity management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source IAM
| At a Glance | BoxyHQ | Zitadel |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free Free plan |
Category | Security Identity & Access | Security Developer Tools |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for aDAU, M2M Tokens, Permission Checks | n/a |
Choose BoxyHQ or Zitadel?
Choose BoxyHQ if
- You want highly flexible and modular architecture allows for custom solutions
- You want scalable to handle high volumes of API requests and users
Choose Zitadel if
- You want open source IAM
- You want self-hostable
In-Depth Analysis
BoxyHQ
Modern, modular, and scalable Identity & Access Management for all your applications and agents.
The Production tier at $70/month is fair, but the jump to Growth at $9,350/year (or $779.17/month) is substantial, indicating a clear focus on scaling businesses.
Watch out
Overage fees for aDAU, M2M Tokens, Permission Checks
Strengths
- Pro: Highly flexible and modular architecture allows for custom solutions.
- Pro: Scalable to handle high volumes of API requests and users.
- Pro: Offers various deployment options including open-source, self-hosted, and managed SaaS.
- Pro: Provides granular control over permissions and access.
- Pro: Supports identity for diverse entities: customers, partners, machines, and employees.
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing can become complex with usage-based models for larger deployments.
- Con: B2B SSO is limited to OIDC only in Growth plan, potentially requiring Enterprise for broader support.
Key features
Zitadel
Open-source identity management
Zitadel's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust open-source offering at $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source IAM
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Cloud option
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Documentation improving
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Still maturing
Key features
Pricing: BoxyHQ vs Zitadel
| Plan | BoxyHQ | Zitadel |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Developer | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $70 / month Production | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $9,350 / year Growth | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on BoxyHQ pricing and Zitadel pricing.
Key Takeaways
Zitadel
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
BoxyHQ
- Choose if you want modern, modular, and scalable Identity & Access Management for all your applications and agents
The Bottom Line
Zitadel wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BoxyHQ or Zitadel better in 2026?
Zitadel wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick BoxyHQ for security workflows (main strength: highly flexible and modular architecture allows for custom solutions). Pick Zitadel for security workflows (main strength: open source IAM).
What are BoxyHQ and Zitadel used for?
BoxyHQ: Modern, modular, and scalable Identity & Access Management for all your applications and agents. Zitadel: Open-source identity management.
What does BoxyHQ cost vs Zitadel?
BoxyHQ's paid plans start at Free (Production). Zitadel pricing is on their site.
What's the main difference between BoxyHQ and Zitadel?
BoxyHQ's main strength: highly flexible and modular architecture allows for custom solutions. Zitadel's main strength: open source IAM.