Zitadel vs Keycloak: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Zitadel 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 Zitadel 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:
Zitadel
Open-source identity management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source IAM
Keycloak
Open-source identity and access management
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Zitadel requires payment)
| At a Glance | Zitadel | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Security Developer Tools | Identity & Access Security |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Zitadel or Keycloak?
Choose Zitadel if
- You want open source IAM
- You want self-hostable
- You work in security, not identity & access
Choose Keycloak if
- You want a fully free tool (Zitadel requires payment)
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
- You work in identity & access, not security
In-Depth Analysis
Zitadel
Open-source identity management
Zitadel's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust open-source offering at $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source IAM
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Cloud option
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Documentation improving
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Still maturing
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: Zitadel vs Keycloak
| Plan | Zitadel | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Zitadel pricing and Keycloak pricing.
Key Takeaways
Keycloak
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Zitadel
- 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 Zitadel or Keycloak better in 2026?
Keycloak wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick Zitadel for security workflows (main strength: open source IAM). Pick Keycloak for identity & access workflows (main strength: open source identity).
What are Zitadel and Keycloak used for?
Zitadel: Open-source identity management. Keycloak: Open-source identity and access management.
What does Zitadel cost vs Keycloak?
Zitadel pricing is on their site. Keycloak is free.
What's the main difference between Zitadel and Keycloak?
Zitadel's main strength: open source IAM. Keycloak's main strength: open source identity.