Stack Auth vs Authelia: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Stack Auth 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.
Bottom line: Authelia is our overall pick for identity & access workflows. Pick Stack Auth if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Stack Auth
Open-source authentication and user management for developers, designed for rapid integration and flexibility.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source authentication and user management suite.
- • Offers features like RBAC, organizations, and 3rd-party OAuth.
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • 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 |  Stack Auth |  Authelia |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Stack Auth or Authelia?
Choose Stack Auth if
Open-source authentication and user management for developers, designed for rapid integration and flexibility.
- Open-source, offering flexibility and control
- Quick and easy setup, replacing existing auth solutions in hours
- Comprehensive feature set for B2B and complex user management
Choose Authelia if
Open-source authentication and authorization server
- Open source SSO
- Self-hostable
- 2FA support
- You want a fully free tool (Stack Auth requires payment)
| Feature | Stack Auth | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Identity & AccessDeveloper Tools | Identity & AccessSecurity |
In-Depth Analysis
Stack Auth
Open-source authentication and user management for developers, designed for rapid integration and flexibility.
Strengths
- +Open-source, offering flexibility and control
- +Quick and easy setup, replacing existing auth solutions in hours
- +Comprehensive feature set for B2B and complex user management
- +Manages JWTs and access tokens automatically
- +Developer-friendly with client/server APIs and UI components
Weaknesses
- -Specific details on self-hosting are not immediately clear from the provided content
- -Limited SAML SSO connections in lower-tier paid plans
Key features
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Strengths
- +Open source SSO
- +Self-hostable
- +2FA support
- +Good documentation
- +Privacy focused
Weaknesses
- -Setup complexity
- -Self-managed only
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Maintenance needed
Key features
Pricing: Stack Auth vs Authelia
| Plan | Stack Auth | Authelia |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $49 / mo Team | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $299 / mo Growth | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Stack Auth pricing and Authelia pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Authelia is free. Stack Auth is freemium.
Go with: Authelia
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Stack Auth is freemium. Authelia is free. Go with Authelia if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are identity & access tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Authelia
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Stack Auth
- Choose if you want open-source authentication and user management for developers, designed for rapid integration and flexibility
The Bottom Line
Authelia is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stack Auth or Authelia better?
Authelia is rated in our evaluation. Stack Auth is freemium and Authelia is free.
What are Stack Auth and Authelia used for?
Stack Auth: Open-source authentication and user management for developers, designed for rapid integration and flexibility.. Authelia: Open-source authentication and authorization server.
What does Stack Auth cost vs Authelia?
Stack Auth is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Authelia is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.