→ Download Now: Checklist for Enterprise Passwordless Adoption
While Keycloak delivers solid open-source identity and access management capabilities, it comes with notable limitations — including complex server deployment, steep learning curves, and often incomplete or outdated documentation. These factors can slow down implementation and increase operational overhead, particularly for organizations without a dedicated DevOps team.
Fortunately, several powerful alternatives may better suit your organization’s specific needs. The most effective Keycloak alternatives include Auth0, Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Zluri, WSO2, and OneLogin — each offering distinct advantages in authentication protocols, user provisioning, deployment flexibility, and overall access management.
At Hideez, we offer a lean identity and access managment solution tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. It can function as a standalone identity provider or integrate with existing IAM infrastructure to extend passwordless authentication across physical and digital environments based on the highest security standards.
In this article, we’ll compare the leading Keycloak alternatives in depth — evaluating their approach to security, scalability, usability, and multi-factor authentication. You’ll also learn how each solution aligns with modern compliance needs and what sets them apart in today’s identity-first security landscape.
Understanding Keycloak's Limitations and Why You Might Need an Alternative
Keycloak is widely respected as a feature-rich, open-source identity and access management (IAM) platform. It supports identity federation, custom roles and groups, and fine-grained access control — all through a centralized user directory. But despite its robust capabilities, many organizations find themselves searching for more streamlined, scalable alternatives.
One of the most common pain points is deployment complexity. Keycloak’s setup process isn’t turnkey — it often demands manual configuration, Java-specific expertise, and strong DevOps support. For smaller teams or resource-constrained environments, this setup overhead can significantly delay implementation.
Documentation is another persistent challenge. While Keycloak offers powerful features, its official resources are frequently outdated or incomplete. This can lead to trial-and-error debugging, particularly during advanced integrations or custom workflows.
Keycloak also lacks native support for phishing-resistant authentication methods such as passkeys (WebAuthn) and FIDO2 hardware tokens like YubiKeys or Hideez Keys. As passwordless, hardware-backed MFA becomes the new security baseline, this shortcoming is increasingly difficult to ignore — especially for organizations aligning with frameworks like NIST or CISA Zero Trust.
Scalability is another area where users report friction. Managing large user directories and maintaining high-performance under concurrent session loads can strain Keycloak deployments, especially without careful tuning and monitoring.
Ultimately, for enterprises seeking modern authentication options, simplified operations, and out-of-the-box phishing-resistant MFA, Keycloak’s architectural complexity and usability gaps may outweigh its open-source advantages.
Key Features to Look for in a Keycloak Alternative
When evaluating alternatives to Keycloak, several critical features and capabilities should guide your decision-making process:
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Authentication Protocols and Standards form the foundation of any identity management solution. Look for support for industry standards including OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and SAML 2.0 to ensure compatibility with your existing authentication infrastructure. The solution should provide flexibility to implement various authentication flows based on your specific requirements.
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User Management Capabilities are essential for effective identity governance. Prioritize solutions offering centralized user repository management with comprehensive lifecycle management from provisioning to deactivation. Role-based access control with fine-grained permissions and user federation with existing directories like LDAP and Active Directory will streamline administration.
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Security Features should include strong multi-factor authentication options to verify user identities through multiple channels. Risk-based adaptive authentication that adjusts security requirements based on contextual factors enhances protection without sacrificing user experience. Advanced session management controls and configurable password policies further strengthen your security posture.
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Integration Capabilities determine how well the solution will work within your technology ecosystem. Ensure the platform provides accessible APIs and developer tools for custom integrations, pre-built connectors for popular applications, and support for identity federation with external providers like social logins.
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Deployment Flexibility is crucial for adapting to your infrastructure needs. The solution should support on-premises, cloud, or hybrid deployment options with containerization support for modern environments. Scalability to accommodate growth without performance degradation is also essential.
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Administration and Monitoring tools simplify ongoing management. Look for intuitive management interfaces, comprehensive audit logging for security analysis, detailed access analytics and reporting capabilities, and tools to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
The ideal alternative will excel in the areas most important to your organization's specific identity and access management needs while addressing the particular limitations of Keycloak that impact your operations.
Top Commercial Keycloak Alternatives for Enterprise Needs
If you're seeking a commercial alternative to Keycloak that balances enterprise-grade security with ease of deployment, Hideez Workforce Identity is an ideal starting point — especially for small and medium-sized organizations. Hideez delivers passwordless, phishing-resistant IAM with flexible deployment options (on-premises or cloud-based) and supports modern authentication tools such as passkeys, mobile authenticators, and FIDO2 security keys. Unlike many enterprise IAM solutions, Hideez offers a free, fully supported implementation for smaller teams, making it uniquely accessible without sacrificing functionality. It’s particularly well-suited for hybrid workforces needing secure access to both digital systems and physical infrastructure.
For organizations with more complex application ecosystems, Auth0 remains a leading choice. It provides a robust identity platform with strong security, deep integration options, and a developer-centric model. Auth0’s strengths include simplified single sign-on across platforms, custom domains, and API authentication with major databases. Its extensive provider support and excellent documentation make it a favorite among engineering teams handling sophisticated identity flows. That said, custom login experiences can require additional expertise, and enterprise-level use cases often demand significant configuration and carry a higher price tag compared to emerging alternatives.
Okta stands out as a longtime industry leader in identity and access management, offering a vendor-neutral identity platform that connects users to the right technologies with minimal friction. Its strengths include a universal directory for centralized identity lifecycle management, a vast catalog of pre-integrated applications, strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) capabilities, and robust API access control. However, lifecycle management can be complex to configure, integrations with custom apps may be time-intensive, and costs can scale quickly for organizations with large user bases.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) delivers a tightly integrated IAM solution for enterprises embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers seamless interoperability with Microsoft 365, Azure services, and thousands of third-party SaaS applications. Entra ID also excels in identity governance, user activity monitoring, and role management for regulatory compliance. Still, non-Microsoft environments may face a steeper learning curve, and larger deployments often encounter support delays and escalating licensing costs.
Zluri differentiates itself with a SaaS-first approach, placing strong emphasis on automated provisioning and deprovisioning workflows. It shines in zero-touch onboarding, secure offboarding, and contractor/third-party access control — making it ideal for managing dynamic workforces. Zluri also supports direct API integrations beyond standard SCIM, and offers a self-service access portal for end users. However, it’s a newer platform, and its focus on SaaS may not fully meet broader enterprise IAM needs.
WSO2 Identity Server is another open-source-based commercial solution with advanced IAM capabilities, including adaptive authentication, identity federation, and strong protocol support. It’s especially attractive to enterprises with specific regulatory or integration needs. Yet, like Keycloak, WSO2 can present steep configuration demands and may require significant in-house expertise to deploy and maintain effectively.
OneLogin, now part of One Identity, offers a user-friendly cloud IAM platform with strong security and access control features. It supports SSO, MFA, directory integrations, and user provisioning, with a strong emphasis on ease of use. However, some users report limitations in customization and scalability, particularly in highly complex or multi-tenant environments.
Leading Open-Source Alternatives to Keycloak
For organizations that prefer open-source solutions but need alternatives to Keycloak, several IAM platforms offer comparable capabilities with distinct strengths and trade-offs. These tools combine standards-based security with varying degrees of scalability, extensibility, and developer friendliness — ideal for teams looking to maintain control over their authentication stack.
WSO2 Identity Server
WSO2 is a mature open-source IAM platform that offers enterprise-grade features with a strong focus on scalability and extensibility. It supports federated identity, multi-protocol authentication, and advanced API security — making it a compelling option for large organizations with complex access requirements.
Key strengths include:
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A highly customizable platform tailored to specific business logic
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Broad support for federated identity providers and authentication methods
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AI-driven IAM capabilities aimed at customer experience and fraud prevention
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Tight integration with API management tools
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An open-source codebase backed by commercial support options
Potential drawbacks include complex installation and configuration for large-scale deployments, limited built-in identity governance features compared to commercial IAM vendors, and a steeper learning curve for teams without strong DevOps expertise.
Gluu Server
Gluu is another open-source IAM platform with strong standards compliance and flexible deployment models. It’s well-suited for organizations that need to run their authentication stack in tightly controlled environments — such as regulated industries or government entities.
Key strengths include:
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Comprehensive support for SAML, OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SCIM
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On-premises, cloud-native, and hybrid deployment flexibility
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Strong community involvement and documentation
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Full-featured identity management with directory synchronization and attribute mapping
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Standards-based architecture for seamless interoperability
Potential drawbacks include a more complex setup process that requires experienced system administrators, a user interface that feels dated compared to newer solutions, and high system resource demands for large-scale deployments.
Specialized IAM Solutions for Specific Use Cases
While Keycloak offers broad IAM functionality, some alternatives specialize in specific environments or use cases — providing more targeted solutions that may align better with unique organizational needs. These platforms often trade breadth for depth, excelling in particular areas like Linux integration, lightweight web SSO, or simplified administration for SMBs.
One Login
OneLogin provides a cloud-based IAM solution designed to simplify user access while maintaining strong security controls. Known for its user-friendly interface and ease of deployment, it’s especially appealing to mid-sized businesses looking for fast implementation without sacrificing functionality.
Key strengths include:
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Centralized application repository for full visibility across user access points
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AI-powered SmartFactor Authentication for risk-adaptive login decisions
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Streamlined identity lifecycle management tools
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Sandbox environments for safe testing and change management
Potential drawbacks include a user interface that some teams find non-intuitive without training, higher initial setup costs for small businesses, and more limited customization options compared to open-source or developer-centric platforms.
FreeIPA
FreeIPA is a specialized IAM platform designed specifically for Linux environments. It integrates tightly with Linux-based systems and is best suited for managing secure internal infrastructure, especially in government, education, or research sectors.
Key strengths include:
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Deep integration with native Linux security mechanisms
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Built-in Kerberos and LDAP support for secure, standards-based authentication
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Automated account and policy management to reduce administrative workload
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Fine-grained access control designed for Unix/Linux systems
Potential drawbacks include limited usability outside of Linux-centric environments, a steep learning curve for teams unfamiliar with Unix-based identity management, and minimal support for modern web app authentication workflows.
Comparing Keycloak Alternatives: How to Make the Right Choice
When evaluating alternatives to Keycloak, consider these comparison factors to guide your decision:
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Project scale and complexity should be your starting point. If you're managing a small application with basic authentication needs, a lightweight solution like LemonLDAP::NG might be more than sufficient — helping you avoid the overhead that comes with larger platforms. On the other hand, enterprise environments with complex security policies, multiple identity sources, and high scalability demands are better served by feature-rich platforms like Auth0, or Okta.
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Deployment environment plays a critical role in narrowing down your options. If you're cloud-native, solutions like Auth0 and Zluri are designed to minimize infrastructure management and accelerate deployment. For organizations with strict data control or compliance needs, on-premises platforms like FreeIPA, Gluu Server, and WSO2 Identity Server offer deeper control. Hybrid environments benefit from flexible platforms such as Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Hideez, or Keycloak — all of which support both local and cloud deployments.
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Technical requirements should align closely with your existing stack and planned architecture. Ensure the solution you choose supports essential authentication protocols like OpenID Connect, SAML, and SCIM. Check for available connectors or SDKs that integrate with your current infrastructure. Platforms like WSO2 Identity Server stand out here, offering strong protocol support and customization flexibility for complex integration workflows.
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Team expertise is another important consideration. If your internal team has limited experience with IAM systems, you'll benefit from platforms like Hideez, which prioritize ease of use and provide detailed documentation. Conversely, if your team has strong DevOps or system administration skills, more advanced platforms like Auth0 or WSO2 Identity Server can offer greater control — but at the cost of increased configuration effort.
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Budget constraints should be assessed not just in terms of licensing, but in total cost of ownership. Open-source solutions like WSO2, and Gluu can help reduce licensing expenses but may require more internal resources for implementation and long-term maintenance. Commercial platforms like Auth0 and Okta offer polished experiences, vendor support, and rapid deployment — but often at a significantly higher subscription cost. Be sure to factor in the hidden costs of implementation, training, support, and scaling.
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Functional requirements should ultimately drive your decision. All platforms support multi-factor authentication (MFA), but their methods vary — from TOTP and push-based approvals to modern passkeys and hardware tokens. Platforms like Zluri and Okta excel in user lifecycle automation and provisioning. If you need deep application integration, Auth0 and Microsoft Entra ID are top contenders.
Implementation and Migration Strategies When Switching from Keycloak
Transitioning from Keycloak to a new identity platform isn’t just a technical shift — it’s a process that requires strategic planning, clear communication, and careful execution to avoid disruption and security risks. The following implementation strategies will help guide your migration to a more suitable IAM solution.
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Start with a thorough assessment and planning phase. Inventory every component of your current Keycloak setup — including connected applications, identity providers, custom flows, and user stores. Document all configurations, integrations, and any custom code in use. This baseline will help ensure no critical dependencies are missed. Define your migration objectives based on what Keycloak limitations you’re aiming to overcome, and set clear success metrics. Build a realistic timeline with milestones to keep the process on track.
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Next, address the user data migration phase with care. Securely transfer all user records, including credentials, roles, and group memberships. Pay special attention to password hashing schemes to ensure compatibility with the new platform. A phased migration — starting with a subset of users — can help validate integrity before a full cutover. Build in validation checkpoints and fallback plans to avoid data loss or authentication errors during transition.
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Approach application integration methodically. Rank applications by criticality and start with those less central to business operations. Reconfigure each app to work with the new identity provider, updating redirect URIs, client credentials, and scopes as needed. Perform end-to-end testing for each application before shifting it into production. For mission-critical systems, consider running both Keycloak and the new provider in parallel for a limited time to reduce risk.
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Don’t overlook user experience considerations. Communicate upcoming changes to users well in advance. Offer clear guidance on what’s changing, how login flows might differ, and whether any user actions — such as password resets or re-enrollment — will be needed. If possible, implement temporary bridges or single sign-on links between systems to minimize user disruption. During the transition, provide live support or FAQs to help users adapt quickly.
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Prioritize testing and validation before full deployment. Build a staging environment that closely mirrors production and use it to test every aspect of the new authentication flows. Validate all standard and edge-case user scenarios, including error states and access restrictions. Run performance tests under expected load to uncover any bottlenecks, and verify that all compliance and security requirements are met.
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After going live, focus on post-migration support. Closely monitor system performance, user login success rates, and any error logs that might indicate hidden issues. Assign dedicated resources to resolve problems quickly, and be ready to adjust configurations or support scripts as needed. Solicit feedback from users and internal stakeholders to improve long-term stability. Lastly, document the new environment thoroughly for future audits, training, and operational consistency.
By following this structured approach, you’ll reduce risk, preserve user trust, and ensure a successful transition from Keycloak to your next IAM platform.
Future Trends in Identity and Access Management Beyond Keycloak
The IAM landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with several emerging trends shaping the future of identity management beyond Keycloak and its alternatives:
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Passwordless Authentication is gaining significant momentum across the industry. The movement toward eliminating passwords entirely is accelerating, with biometrics, security keys, and device-based authentication becoming increasingly prevalent. According to recent data, 30% of consumers have already implemented passwordless authentication methods. Solutions that excel in passwordless options will likely gain market share as organizations seek to enhance both security and user experience simultaneously.
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Decentralized Identity represents a fundamental shift in how identities are managed. Blockchain-based and self-sovereign identity solutions are emerging as potential future standards, giving users greater control over their identity data while potentially reducing organizational liability for identity storage. This approach aligns with growing privacy concerns and regulatory requirements while providing enhanced security through distributed verification.
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Zero Trust Architecture is becoming central to modern security strategies. The principle of "never trust, always verify" is transforming how organizations approach access management, with identity verification becoming continuous rather than session-based. IAM solutions are increasingly incorporating contextual authentication factors like location, device health, and behavior patterns to make real-time access decisions.
- Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) adoption continues to grow rapidly. Cloud-based identity services offer greater scalability and reduced maintenance overhead compared to self-hosted solutions like Keycloak. This model allows organizations to focus on their core business while leaving identity management to specialized providers who can maintain cutting-edge security practices.
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AI-Powered Identity Intelligence is revolutionizing threat detection. Machine learning algorithms are being applied to detect anomalous login patterns, assess risk in real-time, and adapt authentication requirements dynamically based on threat intelligence. These capabilities will become increasingly sophisticated, allowing for more accurate identification of potential breaches before they occur.
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Enhanced Privacy Features are becoming essential components of IAM solutions. With increasing regulatory requirements like GDPR and CCPA, IAM solutions are implementing more sophisticated consent management, data minimization, and privacy controls. Organizations will need to balance robust security with privacy rights as regulations continue to evolve globally.
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IoT Identity Management presents unique challenges as connected devices proliferate. IAM solutions are expanding to address the challenges of authenticating and authorizing non-human identities at scale. This includes managing machine identities, API access, and automated systems that operate without direct human intervention.
Organizations should consider not only their current requirements but also how these emerging trends might affect their identity strategy when selecting a Keycloak alternative, ensuring they build a foundation that can adapt to future needs.
Start Your Transition with Hideez — Free for Small Teams
Looking to simplify your identity stack, adopt phishing-resistant authentication, or replace Keycloak with a modern IAM solution? Hideez offers a secure, passwordless platform with flexible deployment — and a free, fully-supported tier for small teams to help you get started with zero risk. No complex setup. No hidden costs. Just streamlined identity management built for real-world needs.
