Keycloak vs WorkOS: 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 WorkOS 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 (WorkOS requires payment)
WorkOS
Enterprise-ready authentication and directory sync
Best for you if:
- • You want enterprise SSO made easy
| At a Glance | WorkOS | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Identity & Access Security |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 15 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Keycloak or WorkOS?
Choose Keycloak if
- You want a fully free tool (WorkOS requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
Choose WorkOS if
- You want enterprise SSO made easy
- You want directory sync
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
WorkOS
Enterprise-ready authentication and directory sync
WorkOS offers a generous freemium model for AuthKit (first 1M users free) and Radar (first 1K checks free), making it very accessible for startups.
Strengths
- Pro: Enterprise SSO made easy
- Pro: Directory sync
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Developer friendly
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-MAO pricing
- Con: Expensive at scale
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Limited to auth features
- Con: Vendor lock-in
Key features
Plans and prices: Keycloak vs WorkOS
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keycloak |
| keycloak.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| WorkOS | No plan prices on file | workos.com/pricing read Oct 21, 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 WorkOS pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Choose if you want open-source identity and access management
WorkOS
- Choose if you want enterprise-ready authentication and directory sync
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 WorkOS has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 15 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 WorkOS 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 WorkOS has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 15 reviews); Keycloak has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are Keycloak and WorkOS used for?
Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management. WorkOS: Enterprise-ready authentication and directory sync.
What does Keycloak cost vs WorkOS?
Keycloak is free. WorkOS has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 21, 2026.
What's the main difference between Keycloak and WorkOS?
Keycloak's main strength: open source identity. WorkOS's main strength: enterprise SSO made easy.