Keycloak vs Magic: 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 Keycloak and Magic 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:
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Magic requires payment)
Magic
Passwordless authentication SDK
Best for you if:
- • You want passwordless auth
| At a Glance | Magic | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $199/mo, billed monthly Auth Plus plan |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Identity & Access Developer Tools |
Rating | n/a | 4.0/5 G2 4.0 10 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Keycloak or Magic?
Choose Keycloak if
- You want a fully free tool (Magic requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
Choose Magic if
- You want passwordless auth
- You want easy integration
In-Depth Analysis
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
Magic
Passwordless authentication SDK
Magic's pricing starts generously with a free tier for 1000 MAUs, making it accessible for small projects.
Strengths
- Pro: Passwordless auth
- Pro: Easy integration
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Web3 support
- Pro: Developer friendly
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-user pricing
- Con: Can get expensive
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Keycloak vs Magic
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keycloak |
| keycloak.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Magic |
| magic.link/pricing read Oct 15, 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 Keycloak pricing and Magic pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Choose if you want open-source identity and access management
Magic
- Choose if you want passwordless authentication SDK
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.
- Only Magic has a published user rating (4.0/5 from 10 reviews); Keycloak has none we can show.
- Magic starts at $199/mo, billed monthly; Keycloak 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 Keycloak and Magic 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. Only Magic has a published user rating (4.0/5 from 10 reviews); Keycloak has none we can show. Magic starts at $199/mo, billed monthly; Keycloak has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Keycloak and Magic used for?
Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management. Magic: Passwordless authentication SDK.
What does Keycloak cost vs Magic?
Keycloak is free. Magic's cheapest paid plan is Auth Plus at $199/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between Keycloak and Magic?
Keycloak's main strength: open source identity. Magic's main strength: passwordless auth.