Authentik alternatives: top competitors compared
Named alongside Authentik
Microsoft Entra ID100% of Authentik answersKeycloakBest forTeams that want to self-host standards-based single sign-on and identity brokering for their applications75% of Authentik answersJumpCloudBest forIT teams, from startups to enterprises and MSPs, that manage mixed-OS device fleets and want identity and device management in one platform.50% of Authentik answersMicrosoft Entra External IDBest forOrganizations building customer-facing or partner-facing sign-in on Microsoft's cloud, including new projects that would previously have used Azure AD B2C.50% of Authentik answers
Data from SlateIndex weekly runs
Authentik has a visibility score of 2.7 in Identity & Access Management, #24 of 37. AI answers that name Authentik most often also name these 4.
What AI answers fault Authentik for
you must manage hosting, updates, backups, and security yourself
Raised in 1 collected answer.
Quick reference
| Alternative | Best for | Starting price | Visibility | Key differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Entra ID | — | — | 66% | Every Microsoft 365 tenant includes an Entra ID instance, so it is the built-in identity layer for Microsoft cloud services. |
| Keycloak | Teams that want to self-host standards-based single sign-on and identity brokering for their applications | — | 5.6% | Free, open source CNCF project with a commercially supported Red Hat build |
| JumpCloud | IT teams, from startups to enterprises and MSPs, that manage mixed-OS device fleets and want identity and device management in one platform. | $9 per seat / mo | 25.8% | Combines a cloud directory, SSO/MFA, and cross-platform device management in a single platform. |
| Microsoft Entra External ID | Organizations building customer-facing or partner-facing sign-in on Microsoft's cloud, including new projects that would previously have used Azure AD B2C. | — | 4.9% | Its core offering is free for the first 50,000 monthly active users. |
Alternative 1
Microsoft Entra ID vs Authentik →Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID is ranked #1 in Identity & Access Management.
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 66% visibility score · #1 in Identity & Access Management
Key features
- Microsoft Entra ID Free — Entry tier of the Entra ID identity service.
- Microsoft Entra ID P1 — Core IAM capabilities including single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and Conditional Access.
- Microsoft Entra ID P2 — Everything in P1 plus ID Protection, Privileged Identity Management and identity governance such as access reviews.
- Microsoft Entra Connect — Synchronizes on-premises Active Directory with Entra ID (formerly Azure AD Connect).
Microsoft Entra ID vs Authentik
| Dimension | Microsoft Entra ID | Authentik |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 66% | 2.7% |
| Pricing model | — | Per seat |
| Entry price | — | Free; paid from $5 per seat / mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Trial | — | Free plan available |
Pros
- Native integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure ecosystems
- Cost-effective fit for organizations already paying for Microsoft 365
- Strong workforce IAM with SSO, MFA and passwordless access
- Top-ranked and recognised as a Leader among IAM providers
- Strong for enterprise identity governance and hybrid environments
Cons
- Advanced add-ons carry extra yearly paid subscription costs
- Advanced features such as Conditional Access require paid tiers
Alternative 2
Keycloak vs Authentik →Keycloak
Keycloak suits teams that want to self-host standards-based single sign-on and identity brokering for their applications.
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 5.6% visibility score · #15 in Identity & Access Management
Key features
- Keycloak Server — IAM server providing single sign-on, single sign-out, identity brokering and user federation.
- Admin Console — Central management of users, sessions, applications, identity brokering, federation and authorization policies.
- Account Management Console — Self-service profile, password, two-factor and session management for users.
- Authorization Services — Fine-grained permission and policy management beyond role-based authorization.
Keycloak vs Authentik
| Dimension | Keycloak | Authentik |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 5.6% | 2.7% |
| Pricing model | — | Per seat |
| Entry price | — | Free; paid from $5 per seat / mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Trial | — | Free plan available |
Pros
- Free and open-source software
- Strong flexibility and customization for technical teams
- Top pick as a self-hosted option
- Backed by Red Hat and community; popular open-source IAM tool
- Supports SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect
Cons
- Team must handle hosting, upgrades, backups, and security
- Less operational simplicity than managed alternatives
Alternative 3
JumpCloud vs Authentik →JumpCloud
JumpCloud suits iT teams, from startups to enterprises and MSPs, that manage mixed-OS device fleets and want identity and device management in one platform..
Quick facts
- $9 per seat / mo · per seat
- 30-day free trial
- 25.8% visibility score · #3 in Identity & Access Management
Key features
- Cloud Directory — Cloud-based user directory replacing on-premises Active Directory.
- Single Sign-On (SSO) — Single set of credentials for web and on-premises applications.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) — Additional verification for access to resources.
- JumpCloud Go — Passwordless authentication.
JumpCloud vs Authentik
| Dimension | JumpCloud | Authentik |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 25.8% | 2.7% |
| Pricing model | Per seat | Per seat |
| Entry price | $9 per seat / mo | Free; paid from $5 per seat / mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Trial | 30-day free trial | Free plan available |
Pros
- unified identity, access, and device management
- transparent, published per-user pricing and annual savings
- cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- free tier and free trial for small teams
- well suited to small and mid-sized businesses
Cons
Microsoft Entra External ID suits organizations building customer-facing or partner-facing sign-in on Microsoft's cloud, including new projects that would previously have used Azure AD B2C..
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 4.9% visibility score · #20 in Identity & Access Management
Key features
- External ID (customer tenants) — Customer identity and access management in a separate external tenant.
- B2B guest collaboration — Gives external partners and guests access to an organization's resources.
- Go-Local add-on — Keeps tenant data in a selected geography.
Microsoft Entra External ID vs Authentik
| Dimension | Microsoft Entra External ID | Authentik |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 4.9% | 2.7% |
| Pricing model | — | Per seat |
| Entry price | — | Free; paid from $5 per seat / mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Trial | — | Free plan available |
Pros
- Customer and external-user identity integrated with Microsoft's ecosystem
Cons
How to choose
Match the pricing model to your cost driver: headcount, usage or features.
| Platform | Pricing model | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Authentik | Per seat | Free; paid from $5 per seat / mo |
| Microsoft Entra ID | — | — |
| Keycloak | — | — |
| JumpCloud | Per seat | $9 per seat / mo |
| Microsoft Entra External ID | — | — |
More alternatives
Ranked by how often AI answers name them alongside Authentik in the latest weekly run.