Permit.io vs Keycloak: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Permit.io 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Permit.io
End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
Best for you if:
- • You need identity & access features specifically
- • Provides an end-to-end authorization platform with no-code and policy-as-code options.
- • Supports RBAC, ABAC, and ReBAC models, generating policies based on OPA Rego or AWS Cedar.
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need password managers features specifically
- • Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution
- • It provides SSO, social login, and user federation for applications and services
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Identity & Access | Password Managers |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Permit.io | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Identity & Access | Password ManagersIdentity & Access |
How Permit.io and Keycloak Compare
Permit.io
End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.
Free tier available
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Free · 88/100 score
Permit.io is a identity & access tool. Keycloak is in password managers.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keycloak is free. Permit.io is freemium.
Go with: Keycloak
Want the highest-rated option?
Keycloak scores 88/100. Permit.io is unrated.
Go with: Keycloak
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Keycloak
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Permit.io is freemium. Keycloak is free. Go with Keycloak if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Permit.io is a identity & access tool. Keycloak is in password managers. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Permit.io
- Better fit for identity & access
The Bottom Line
Keycloak (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Permit.io or Keycloak better?
Keycloak scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Permit.io is freemium and Keycloak is free.
What are Permit.io and Keycloak used for?
Permit.io: End-to-end authorization platform for the AI era, with no-code policy editing and GitOps.. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does Permit.io cost vs Keycloak?
Permit.io is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Keycloak is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.