Open Policy Agent vs Authelia: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Open Policy Agent and Authelia 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:
Open Policy Agent
Unify policy enforcement across your entire software stack with a high-performance policy engine.
Best for you if:
- • Centralized policy engine for consistent enforcement across the stack.
- • Uses Rego, a high-performance declarative language for policy definition.
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Authelia is an open-source authentication server providing SSO and 2FA for applications
- • It works as a reverse proxy companion to protect internal services with access control
| At a Glance |  Open Policy Agent |  Authelia |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | —/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Open Policy Agent | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Identity & AccessCompliance Management | Identity & AccessPassword Managers |
Understanding the Differences
Both Open Policy Agent and Authelia solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Open Policy Agent positions itself as "unify policy enforcement across your entire software stack with a high-performance policy engine." while Autheliafocuses on "open-source authentication and authorization server". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Open Policy Agent
Open Policy Agent makes sense if you're looking for a completely free solution.
When to Choose Authelia
Authelia is worth considering if you need a free tool. Scoring 80/100, it edges ahead in our evaluation.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Open Policy Agent lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Open Policy Agent
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Authelia is built for teams that are leveling up.
We'd pick: Authelia
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Authelia
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Nothing at all? Open Policy Agent is completely free.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Authelia higher (80/100). But the community has upvoted Authelia more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Authelia Does Better
- Higher overall score (80/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Open Policy Agent If
- You need a completely free solution
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Authelia (80/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Authelia scores higher in our analysis, but Open Policy Agent might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open Policy Agent or Authelia better?
Based on our analysis, Authelia scores higher with 80/100. Open Policy Agent isfree while Authelia is free. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Open Policy Agent to Authelia easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Open Policy Agent and Authelia offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Open Policy Agent is completely free.Authelia is completely free. Visit their websites for current trial offers.