FusionAuth vs Keycloak: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between FusionAuth 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. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane. Pick FusionAuth if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
FusionAuth
Customer identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want self-hosted auth
- • You want good features
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (FusionAuth requires payment)
- • You want open source identity
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | FusionAuth | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | 4.6/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose FusionAuth or Keycloak?
Choose FusionAuth if
Customer identity and access management
- You want self-hosted auth
- You want good features
Choose Keycloak if
Open-source identity and access management
- You want a fully free tool (FusionAuth requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | FusionAuth | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 161 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Identity & AccessSecurity | Identity & AccessSecurity |
In-Depth Analysis
FusionAuth
Customer identity and access management
FusionAuth offers a generous free Community tier, making it highly accessible.
Watch out
Potential for MAU overage fees (not specified)
Strengths
- +Self-hosted auth
- +Good features
- +SSO support
- +Fair pricing
- +Good documentation
Weaknesses
- -Self-hosting complexity
- -Learning curve
- -Enterprise expensive
- -Smaller than Auth0
- -Community smaller
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: FusionAuth vs Keycloak
| Plan | FusionAuth | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Community | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $125 Starter | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $850 Essentials | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $3300 Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on FusionAuth pricing and Keycloak pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keycloak is free. FusionAuth is freemium.
Go with: Keycloak
Want the highest-rated option?
FusionAuth is rated 4.6/5. Keycloak has no ratings yet.
Go with: FusionAuth
Value user reviews?
FusionAuth: 161 reviews (4.6/5). Keycloak: no ratings yet.
Go with: FusionAuth
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
FusionAuth 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?
FusionAuth is rated 4.6/5; Keycloak has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
FusionAuth
- Choose if you want customer identity and access management
The Bottom Line
Keycloak wins this matchup. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FusionAuth or Keycloak better?
Keycloak is rated in our evaluation. FusionAuth is freemium and Keycloak is free.
What are FusionAuth and Keycloak used for?
FusionAuth: Customer identity and access management. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does FusionAuth cost vs Keycloak?
FusionAuth is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Keycloak is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.