Auth0 costs $35/mo.
These cost $0.
5 free alternatives to Auth0, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Auth0 vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $35/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KeyCloak | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 37.7k | Auth0 vs KeyCloak → |
| Authentik | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 26.2k | Auth0 vs Authentik → |
| Zitadel | open source | cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81 | Self-host | ★ 15.5k | Auth0 vs Zitadel → |
| ORY | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 17.6k | Auth0 vs ORY → |
| Authelia | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 29.5k | Auth0 vs Authelia → |
The picks
5 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
KeyCloak
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host37.7knov 2026Secure applications with minimal effort.
The catch vs Auth0Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 02
Authentik
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host26.2knov 2026Open-source Identity Provider with flexibility.
The catch vs Auth0Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 03
Zitadel
open sourcecm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81Self-host15.5knov 2026Streamline app development with our identity suite.
The catch vs Auth0Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/zitadel/zitadel or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 04
ORY
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host17.6kjul 2026Ory: Modular IAM with unmatched UX.
The catch vs Auth0Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/ory/hydra or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 05
Authelia
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host29.5knov 2026Open-source SSO and MFA server.
The catch vs Auth0Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/authelia/authelia or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Auth0 open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Auth0?+
The top free alternative to Auth0 is KeyCloak (open source, cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7). Secure applications with minimal effort. Other popular Auth0 replacements include Authentik, Zitadel, ORY.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Auth0?+
Yes. Of the 5 free alternatives to Auth0, 5 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: KeyCloak (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Authentik (Open Source), Zitadel (cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81), ORY (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Authelia (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7).
How much does switching from Auth0 to a free alternative save?+
Auth0 starts at $35/month per seat ($420/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like KeyCloak saves $2,100 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Auth0 clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Auth0 is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Auth0 or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 5 battle-tested open-source alternatives like KeyCloak or Authentik.
What is the catch when switching from Auth0 to KeyCloak?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
