Choosing the right Identity and Access Management (IAM) platform can make or break your project. I’ve worked with both Auth0 and Keycloak extensively, and I know firsthand how each handles different scenarios. This guide will help you decide which one fits your needs best.

The Problem

You need a robust IAM solution that scales with your business. You want something that simplifies user management, secures your applications, and integrates seamlessly with your tech stack. But with options like Auth0 and Keycloak, it’s hard to know which one to pick. Let’s dive into the details.

Pricing

Pricing is often the first thing people look at, and both Auth0 and Keycloak offer different models.

Auth0 Pricing

Auth0 offers a freemium model with a generous free tier. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Developer: Free tier, limited to 7,000 active users and 25,000 monthly active logins.
  • Developer Pro: $15/month, includes 100,000 monthly active logins and 100,000 database connections.
  • Team: $90/month, includes 500,000 monthly active logins and 500,000 database connections.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing, includes support, SLAs, and additional features.

Keycloak Pricing

Keycloak is open source, so there’s no licensing cost. However, Red Hat, the company behind Keycloak, offers commercial support and training:

  • Red Hat Single Sign-On: Starts at $1,000/year per server, includes support and maintenance.
  • Red Hat Single Sign-On for OpenShift: Starts at $1,000/year per node, includes support and maintenance.

Which One is Better?

If you’re a small team or startup, the free tier of Auth0 might be enough. But if you’re looking for open source flexibility, Keycloak is the way to go. For larger enterprises, Red Hat’s commercial offering provides the support and guarantees you might need.

Features

Both platforms offer a wide range of features, but they have different strengths.

Auth0 Features

  • Universal Login: A customizable login page that supports multiple identity providers.
  • Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Supports SMS, email, and third-party MFA providers.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Fine-grained permissions for different roles.
  • API Management: Secure APIs with OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect.
  • Custom Hooks: Extend functionality with custom JavaScript code.
  • Analytics: Track user activity and engagement.

Keycloak Features

  • Open Source: Fully open source with a strong community.
  • Single Sign-On (SSO): Supports SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect.
  • User Federation: Integrate with LDAP, Active Directory, and other identity providers.
  • Client Adapters: Available for various technologies like Java, Node.js, .NET, etc.
  • Themes and Branding: Customize the look and feel of the login pages.
  • Audit Logs: Track all changes and activities.

Which One is Better?

If you need a turnkey solution with minimal setup, Auth0 is great. But if you prefer open source and have the resources to manage it, Keycloak offers more control and flexibility.

Performance

Performance is crucial, especially as your user base grows.

Auth0 Performance

Auth0 is known for its high performance and scalability. It handles millions of transactions daily without breaking a sweat. Here are some benchmarks:

  • Latency: Typically under 100 ms for login requests.
  • Throughput: Can handle up to 10,000 requests per second per tenant.
  • Scalability: Automatically scales with demand.

Keycloak Performance

Keycloak also performs well, but it requires careful configuration, especially for large-scale deployments:

  • Latency: Varies based on server load and configuration.
  • Throughput: Can handle thousands of requests per second with proper tuning.
  • Scalability: Requires clustering and load balancing for high availability.

Which One is Better?

For most applications, Auth0’s managed service will provide better out-of-the-box performance. If you’re comfortable managing infrastructure, Keycloak can perform just as well.

Use Cases

Understanding the use cases helps determine which platform suits your needs best.

Auth0 Use Cases

  • Startup: Quick setup with minimal configuration.
  • SaaS Applications: Securely authenticate users across multiple applications.
  • Mobile Apps: Easy integration with mobile SDKs.
  • Microservices: Secure communication between services using OAuth 2.0.
  • B2B Solutions: Manage access for partners and customers.

Keycloak Use Cases

  • On-Premises Deployments: Full control over the deployment environment.
  • Large Enterprises: Customizable and scalable for enterprise-level security.
  • Hybrid Cloud: Integrate with both on-premises and cloud resources.
  • Custom Workflows: Implement unique authentication flows with custom themes and hooks.
  • Legacy Systems: Integrate with existing identity providers and systems.

Which One is Better?

If you’re building a SaaS product or a mobile app, Auth0 is likely the better choice. For large enterprises or on-premises deployments, Keycloak offers more customization and control.

Integration

Integration capabilities are key to choosing the right IAM platform.

Auth0 Integration

Auth0 supports a wide range of integrations:

  • Identity Providers: Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
  • Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.
  • Protocols: OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, etc.
  • SDKs: JavaScript, Android, iOS, .NET, etc.

Example: Integrating Google Auth with Auth0

// Initialize Auth0 client
const auth0 = new Auth0Client({
  domain: 'YOUR_AUTH0_DOMAIN',
  clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
  authorizationParams: {
    redirect_uri: window.location.origin,
    audience: 'YOUR_AUDIENCE',
    scope: 'openid profile email',
  },
});

// Login function
async function login() {
  await auth0.loginWithRedirect();
}

// Handle callback
auth0.handleRedirectCallback().then(() => {
  console.log('User logged in successfully');
}).catch(error => {
  console.error('Login failed:', error);
});

Keycloak Integration

Keycloak also offers robust integration options:

  • Identity Providers: LDAP, Active Directory, SAML, etc.
  • Protocols: OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, etc.
  • Adapters: Java, Node.js, .NET, etc.
  • Customization: Themes, hooks, and workflows.

Example: Configuring LDAP with Keycloak

<!-- LDAP configuration in standalone.xml -->
<spi name="user-storage">
  <provider name="ldap" enabled="true">
    <properties>
      <property name="vendor" value="ad"/>
      <property name="usernameLDAPAttribute" value="userPrincipalName"/>
      <property name="uuidLDAPAttribute" value="objectGUID"/>
      <property name="rdnLDAPAttribute" value="cn"/>
      <property name="userObjectClasses" value="person, organizationalPerson, user"/>
      <property name="connectionURL" value="ldap://ldap.example.com"/>
      <property name="bindDN" value="CN=admin,CN=Users,DC=example,DC=com"/>
      <property name="bindCredential" value="password"/>
      <property name="usersDn" value="CN=Users,DC=example,DC=com"/>
      <property name="searchScope" value="subtree"/>
    </properties>
  </provider>
</spi>

Which One is Better?

Both platforms offer excellent integration options. If you’re working with modern cloud services, Auth0 might be easier to set up. For legacy systems or on-premises deployments, Keycloak’s extensive integration capabilities shine.

Security

Security is paramount in any IAM solution.

Auth0 Security

Auth0 follows best practices for security:

  • Encryption: Uses TLS 1.2 and above for data in transit.
  • Data Protection: Encrypts sensitive data at rest.
  • Regular Audits: Conducts regular security audits and penetration testing.
  • Compliance: Meets various compliance standards like SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, etc.

Keycloak Security

Keycloak also prioritizes security:

  • Encryption: Supports TLS for data in transit.
  • Data Protection: Encrypts sensitive data at rest.
  • Regular Updates: Regularly updates to patch vulnerabilities.
  • Compliance: Meets compliance standards like SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, etc.

Which One is Better?

Both platforms have strong security measures in place. If you prefer a managed service with guaranteed compliance, Auth0 is a good choice. For open source solutions with community-driven security, Keycloak is solid.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to resolve them.

Auth0 Troubleshooting

Error: Invalid redirect URI

Cause: The redirect URI in your application settings doesn’t match the one specified during login.

Solution: Ensure the redirect URIs in your Auth0 dashboard match those in your application.

// Correct redirect URI in Auth0 settings
const auth0 = new Auth0Client({
  domain: 'YOUR_AUTH0_DOMAIN',
  clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
  authorizationParams: {
    redirect_uri: 'https://yourapp.com/callback', // Must match exactly
    audience: 'YOUR_AUDIENCE',
    scope: 'openid profile email',
  },
});

Keycloak Troubleshooting

Error: Could not find client

Cause: The client ID in your application settings doesn’t match the one configured in Keycloak.

Solution: Verify the client ID in Keycloak matches your application settings.

<!-- Correct client ID in Keycloak configuration -->
<client>
  <clientId>your-client-id</clientId>
  <name>Your Client</name>
  <rootUrl>http://yourapp.com</rootUrl>
  <baseUrl>/</baseUrl>
  <adminUrl/>
  <standardFlowEnabled>true</standardFlowEnabled>
  <implicitFlowEnabled>false</implicitFlowEnabled>
  <directAccessGrantsEnabled>true</directAccessGrantsEnabled>
  <serviceAccountsEnabled>false</serviceAccountsEnabled>
  <publicClient>true</publicClient>
  <frontchannelLogout>false</frontchannelLogout>
  <protocol>openid-connect</protocol>
  <attributes/>
  <authenticationFlowBindingOverrides/>
  <fullScopeAllowed>true</fullScopeAllowed>
  <nodeReRegistrationTimeout>-1</nodeReRegistrationTimeout>
  <defaultClientScopes>
    <scope>web-origins</scope>
    <scope>role_list</scope>
    <scope>profile</scope>
    <scope>email</scope>
    <scope>offline_access</scope>
    <scope>address</scope>
    <scope>phone</scope>
  </defaultClientScopes>
  <optionalClientScopes/>
  <redirectUris>
    <redirectUri>http://yourapp.com/*</redirectUri>
  </redirectUris>
  <webOrigins>
    <webOrigin>+</webOrigin>
  </webOrigins>
</client>

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Auth0 and Keycloak depends on your specific needs. If you need a managed service with ease of use, Auth0 is the way to go. For open source flexibility and control, Keycloak is the better option. Evaluate your requirements, budget, and technical expertise before making a decision.

That’s it. Simple, secure, works.