Authelia

Name: Authelia
Brand: Authelia

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Open-source authentication and authorization server

Identity & Access Security Password Managers

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Tracked since2025

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The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Open source SSO

Biggest con

Setup complexity

TL;DR - Authelia

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
Completely free and open-source

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Authelia?

Editorial review

Authelia provides authentication, single sign-on, and access control you can self-host. Add 2FA, SSO, and fine-grained permissions to applications that don't have them, all running on your infrastructure. The reverse proxy integration model means existing applications don't need modification. Policies control who can access what based on users, groups, and network conditions. Teams who need enterprise-grade identity features without cloud dependencies deploy Authelia as their authentication layer.

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceauthelia.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Open source SSO
Self-hostable
2FA support
Good documentation
Privacy focused

Cons

Setup complexity
Self-managed only
Learning curve
Smaller community
Maintenance needed

Key Features

SSO2FAAccess controlSelf-hostedLDAP supportOpen source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 28, 2026

Free

Open source

SSO/2FA
Self-hosted
LDAP/AD support
Apache 2.0 license

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Authelia worth the price?

95/100

Authelia offers an incredibly generous pricing model as it is entirely free and open-source.

This makes it an exceptionally fair option compared to proprietary authentication solutions that often charge per user or feature. It's best for organizations and individuals seeking robust, self-hosted authentication without any licensing costs.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Requires self-hosting infrastructure

No dedicated commercial support

Integration effort for custom setups

How Authelia Compares to Competitors

Compared to commercial solutions like Okta, which can cost upwards of $2-$15 per user per month, or Auth0, which has free tiers but quickly escalates to hundreds or thousands of dollars for enterprise features, Authelia stands out by being completely free. This makes it a significantly more cost-effective option for those willing to self-manage.

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Best Authelia Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Authelia FAQ

How does Authelia provide authentication and authorization for existing applications?

Authelia integrates with existing applications through a reverse proxy model, which means applications do not need to be modified to gain authentication, single sign-on, and access control capabilities. It adds features like two-factor authentication and fine-grained permissions to applications that lack them natively. Policies determine access based on users, groups, and network conditions.

Which teams benefit most from deploying Authelia?

Teams that require enterprise-grade identity features without relying on cloud dependencies are the best fit for Authelia. It serves as an authentication layer for organizations that prefer self-hosted solutions for identity and access management.

How is Authelia's pricing structured?

Authelia is free to use, as it is an open-source project and does not require a paid plan. Users can deploy and manage it without any licensing costs.

What kind of trade-offs should users consider before implementing Authelia?

Users should be aware of Authelia's setup complexity and learning curve, as it requires self-management. It also necessitates ongoing maintenance due to its self-hosted nature and has a smaller community compared to some alternatives.

Can Authelia be used to secure access to internal tools and services?

Yes, Authelia can be used to secure access to internal tools and services by adding 2FA, SSO, and fine-grained permissions. It allows organizations to control who can access what based on defined policies, all running on their own infrastructure.

How does Authelia compare to Keycloak for identity and access management?

Authelia offers open-source, self-hostable authentication and authorization with a focus on privacy, similar to Keycloak. However, Authelia emphasizes a reverse proxy integration model for existing applications and is noted for its setup complexity and learning curve, requiring self-management.

Source: authelia.com

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