Keycloak vs Auth0: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Keycloak and Auth0 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution
- • It provides SSO, social login, and user federation for applications and services
Auth0
Identity platform for developers
Best for you if:
- • Industry-leading identity platform
- • Authentication and authorization as a service
| At a Glance |  Auth0 | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Keycloak or Auth0?
Choose Keycloak if
Open-source identity and access management
- Open source identity
- Self-hostable
- Feature rich
- You want a fully free tool (Auth0 requires payment)
Choose Auth0 if
Identity platform for developers
- Easy integration
- Many features
- Great docs
| Feature | Keycloak | Auth0 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 101 reviews | ★4.5/5 420 reviews |
| Categories | Identity & AccessSecurity | Identity & AccessDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Keycloak's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free as an open-source solution.
Watch out
Infrastructure hosting costs (servers, networking)
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
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
Pricing: Keycloak vs Auth0
| Plan | Keycloak | Auth0 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | 0 forever Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 35 /month Essentials |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 240 /month Professional |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom /month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Keycloak pricing and Auth0 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keycloak is free. Auth0 is freemium.
Go with: Keycloak
Want the highest-rated option?
Keycloak: 4.3/5 (101 reviews). Auth0: 4.5/5 (420 reviews).
Go with: Auth0
Value user reviews?
Keycloak: 101 reviews (4.3/5). Auth0: 420 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Auth0
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Keycloak is free. Auth0 is freemium. 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 higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Auth0
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (420 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Keycloak is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keycloak or Auth0 better?
Keycloak is rated in our evaluation. Keycloak is free and Auth0 is freemium.
What are Keycloak and Auth0 used for?
Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management. Auth0: Identity platform for developers.
What does Keycloak cost vs Auth0?
Keycloak is completely free. Auth0 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.