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keycloak vs WorkOS

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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keycloak
keycloakOpen-source identity and access management for modern applications
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WorkOS
WorkOSEnterprise-ready auth, SSO and SCIM APIs for B2B SaaS
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Overview
Description

Keycloak provides single sign‑on (SSO) and identity brokering for web, mobile, and API‑based applications. It supports standard protocols like OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, allowing seamless integration with existing user stores. The platform includes an admin console, user self‑service, and fine‑grained authorization policies, all available under an Apache 2.0 license. It can be deployed on‑premises or used as a managed service, making it suitable for both startups and large enterprises.

WorkOS delivers a set of APIs that let B2B SaaS companies add enterprise authentication, single sign‑on (SSO) and user provisioning quickly without building the infrastructure from scratch. It abstracts protocols like SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect and SCIM into simple REST endpoints. Developers can integrate with popular identity providers such as Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace and more, while gaining audit logs and security controls needed for enterprise compliance. The platform is cloud‑hosted, scalable, and comes with SDKs for major languages.

Pricing
Free
Freemium
Category
Identity & SSO
Identity & SSO
Best for
Enterprises and developers
B2B SaaS product teams
Specifications
deployment
Self-hosted
Cloud/SaaS
open source
Yes
No
github stars
36,057
—
api available
Yes
Yes
support options
Community forum, GitHub issues, Red Hat support
Email, Live Chat, Documentation
key integrations
LDAP, Active Directory, Kubernetes, Docker, Spring Boot
Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack
primary language
Java
—
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Fully open source with no licensing fees
  • Supports all major authentication standards
  • Extensible with custom providers and scripts
  • Strong community and Red Hat enterprise support
  • Fast integration with minimal code
  • Supports all major SSO protocols
  • Scalable cloud service with high availability
  • Comprehensive SDKs and docs
Cons
  • Initial setup can be complex for beginners
  • Admin UI may feel dated compared to newer SaaS solutions
  • Self‑hosted scaling requires operational expertise
  • Limited on‑premises deployment options
  • Pricing beyond free tier can be high for large volumes
  • Core platform is not open source
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Keycloak is a free, self‑hosted open‑source IAM platform requiring more setup effort, while WorkOS offers a ready‑to‑use cloud SaaS with faster integration but paid beyond the free tier.

Key differences

  • •Deployment model: Keycloak self‑hosted vs. WorkOS cloud SaaS.
  • •Cost structure: Keycloak free open source vs. WorkOS freemium with potentially high paid usage.
  • •Integration focus: Keycloak emphasizes LDAP/AD federation; WorkOS centers on modern SSO providers and SCIM provisioning.
  • •Support model: Keycloak relies on community/Red Hat; WorkOS provides dedicated email/live‑chat support.
  • •Customization & control: Keycloak allows deep on‑prem customization; WorkOS limits on‑prem options.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

Keycloak is free open source; WorkOS charges beyond its free tier, especially for high volume usage.

keycloak

Ease of use / learning curve

WorkOS offers fast integration with SDKs and docs; Keycloak’s initial setup is complex for beginners.

WorkOS

Features & depth

Both provide SSO, multi‑tenant support, and APIs; Keycloak adds LDAP/AD federation, WorkOS adds SCIM provisioning.

Tie

Integrations & ecosystem

WorkOS includes built‑in directory sync with Azure AD, Okta, Google Workspace; Keycloak focuses on LDAP/AD and generic SAML/OIDC.

WorkOS

Scalability

WorkOS is a managed cloud service with high availability; Keycloak scaling requires self‑managed infrastructure expertise.

WorkOS

Support

WorkOS provides email and live‑chat support; Keycloak relies on community forums and optional Red Hat support.

WorkOS

Security & privacy

Both support major authentication standards; neither provides specific privacy guarantees beyond standard IAM features.

Tie

Choose keycloak if…

Enterprises needing full control, zero licensing cost, and LDAP/AD federation, willing to manage infrastructure.

Choose WorkOS if…

B2B SaaS teams prioritizing rapid SSO/SCIM integration, low ops overhead, and willing to pay for cloud service.

Common questions

Can I avoid licensing fees with either product?

Keycloak is completely free open source; WorkOS is freemium but charges for usage beyond the free tier.

Which solution is easier to integrate with existing SAML/OIDC providers?

Both support SAML/OIDC, but WorkOS offers ready‑made SDKs and docs for faster integration.

What are the deployment options if I need on‑premise control?

Keycloak can be self‑hosted on‑premise; WorkOS is cloud‑only with no on‑premise deployment.