OpenFGA vs Keycloak: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between OpenFGA and Keycloak 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.
Bottom line: Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick OpenFGA if you need security.
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:
OpenFGA
Fine-grained authorization inspired by Google's Zanzibar, built for scalability and flexibility.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly scalable and performant for authorization checks
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source identity
| At a Glance | OpenFGA | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Security Developer Tools | Identity & Access Security |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose OpenFGA or Keycloak?
Choose OpenFGA if
- You want highly scalable and performant for authorization checks
- You want flexible modeling language supports various access control paradigms
- You work in security, not identity & access
Choose Keycloak if
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
- You work in identity & access, not security
In-Depth Analysis
OpenFGA
Fine-grained authorization inspired by Google's Zanzibar, built for scalability and flexibility.
OpenFGA's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly scalable and performant for authorization checks.
- Pro: Flexible modeling language supports various access control paradigms.
- Pro: Open-source and backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF).
- Pro: Easy integration with existing applications via SDKs.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires Docker for quick local setup, which might be an initial barrier for some.
- Con: New users may need to learn the specific modeling language and concepts.
Key features
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
Pricing: OpenFGA vs Keycloak
| Plan | OpenFGA | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free OpenFGA | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on OpenFGA pricing and Keycloak pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
OpenFGA
- Better fit for security
The Bottom Line
Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenFGA or Keycloak better in 2026?
Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick OpenFGA for security workflows (main strength: highly scalable and performant for authorization checks). Pick Keycloak for identity & access workflows (main strength: open source identity).
What are OpenFGA and Keycloak used for?
OpenFGA: Fine-grained authorization inspired by Google's Zanzibar, built for scalability and flexibility. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does OpenFGA cost vs Keycloak?
OpenFGA is free. Keycloak is free.
What's the main difference between OpenFGA and Keycloak?
OpenFGA's main strength: highly scalable and performant for authorization checks. Keycloak's main strength: open source identity.