Keycloak 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 Keycloak 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:
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Permit.io requires payment)
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $5/mo, billed monthly Startup plan |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Security Developer Tools |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Keycloak or Permit.io?
Choose Keycloak if
- You want a fully free tool (Permit.io requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
- You work in identity & access, not security
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
- You work in security, not identity & access
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
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: Keycloak vs Permit.io
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keycloak |
| keycloak.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| 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 Keycloak pricing and Permit.io pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Choose if you want open-source identity and access management
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; 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 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; Keycloak has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Keycloak and Permit.io used for?
Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management. Permit.io: End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
What does Keycloak cost vs Permit.io?
Keycloak 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 Keycloak and Permit.io?
Keycloak's main strength: open source identity. Permit.io's main strength: simplifies complex authorization logic with no-code and policy-as-code options.