Keycloak vs Stytch: 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 Stytch 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 (Stytch requires payment)
Stytch
Authentication infrastructure for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want passwordless auth
| At a Glance | Stytch | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Identity & Access Developer Tools |
Rating | n/a | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 37 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | No explicit mention of overage fees beyond MAU |
Choose Keycloak or Stytch?
Choose Keycloak if
- You want a fully free tool (Stytch requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
Choose Stytch if
- You want passwordless auth
- You want good documentation
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
Stytch
Authentication infrastructure for developers
Stytch's pricing is quite fair and generous, especially with a robust free tier offering 5,000 MAUs.
Watch out
No explicit mention of overage fees beyond MAU
Strengths
- Pro: Passwordless auth
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Developer friendly
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-MAU pricing
- Con: Can get expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Keycloak vs Stytch
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keycloak |
| keycloak.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Stytch |
| stytch.com/pricing read Sep 29, 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 Stytch pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Choose if you want open-source identity and access management
Stytch
- Choose if you want authentication infrastructure for developers
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 Stytch has a published user rating (4.8/5 from 37 reviews); Keycloak has none we can show.
- 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 Stytch 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 Stytch has a published user rating (4.8/5 from 37 reviews); Keycloak has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are Keycloak and Stytch used for?
Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management. Stytch: Authentication infrastructure for developers.
What does Keycloak cost vs Stytch?
Keycloak is free. Stytch has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 29, 2026.
What's the main difference between Keycloak and Stytch?
Keycloak's main strength: open source identity. Stytch's main strength: passwordless auth.