Keel vs Permit.io: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Keel and Permit.io side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
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:
Keel
Enforce action-level rules before AI agents execute calls
Best for you if:
- • Teams whose agents take consequential actions (payments, writes, messages) and who must show afterward that each action was authorized
Permit.io
End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
Best for you if:
- • You want simplifies complex authorization logic with no-code and policy-as-code options
| At a Glance | Keel | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $5/mo, billed monthly Startup plan |
Category | Security Identity & Access | Security Developer Tools |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Keel or Permit.io?
Choose Keel if
- Teams whose agents take consequential actions (payments, writes, messages) and who must show afterward that each action was authorized
- You want a fully free tool (Permit.io requires payment)
- You want decides on the specific action and its arguments, not just the agent's identity
- You want a review holds the action until a person approves that exact request
Choose Permit.io if
- You want simplifies complex authorization logic with no-code and policy-as-code options
- You want offers high flexibility with support for RBAC, ABAC, and ReBAC
In-Depth Analysis
Keel
Enforce action-level rules before AI agents execute calls
Keel is currently free with no paid tiers, which is extremely generous compared to competitors that charge per seat or per action.
Strengths
- Pro: Decides on the specific action and its arguments, not just the agent's identity
- Pro: A review holds the action until a person approves that exact request
- Pro: Works alongside your identity provider, gateway and observability tools
- Pro: Open AI Permit specification (Apache-2.0) and MIT-licensed verifier
Weaknesses
- Con: Covers only actions routed through Keel; agents and tools it can't see aren't governed
- Con: Requires integrating Keel's SDK or API; it isn't a drop-in agent
- Con: A product from a small team
Key features
Permit.io
End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
Permit.io offers a very generous free Community tier, making it accessible for developers and small projects.
Strengths
- Pro: Simplifies complex authorization logic with no-code and policy-as-code options.
- Pro: Offers high flexibility with support for RBAC, ABAC, and ReBAC.
- Pro: Ensures data privacy and low latency with its hybrid deployment model.
- Pro: Provides comprehensive compliance features and audit logging.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features and higher usage limits are locked behind paid tiers.
- Con: Requires understanding of authorization models for optimal policy design.
Key features
Plans and prices: Keel vs Permit.io
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keel | No plan prices on file | keelapi.com/pricing |
| Permit.io |
| permit.io/pricing read Oct 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Keel pricing and Permit.io pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keel
- Choose if you want enforce action-level rules before AI agents execute calls
Permit.io
- Choose if you want end-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Permit.io starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Keel has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Keel and Permit.io compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Permit.io starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Keel has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Keel and Permit.io used for?
Keel: Enforce action-level rules before AI agents execute calls. Permit.io: End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
What does Keel cost vs Permit.io?
Keel is free. Permit.io's cheapest paid plan is Startup at $5/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Keel and Permit.io?
Keel's main strength: decides on the specific action and its arguments, not just the agent's identity. Permit.io's main strength: simplifies complex authorization logic with no-code and policy-as-code options.