# 2 Best Open Source Alternatives for Azure AD

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/azure-ad
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Looking for the best open source alternative for Azure AD? Compare 2 verified free and open source alternatives to Azure AD (Keycloak, Authgear) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs.

## Azure AD Overview & Subscription Cost
- **Product**: Azure AD
- **Category**: [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security)
- **Paid Subscription Price**: $6/month per seat
- **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $72/year
- **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $360/year
- **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $720/year
- **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)
- **Rebuild Verdict**: Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Azure AD or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Keycloak.

## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives

| Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Keycloak](https://caniforkit.com/fork/keycloak) | Open Source | Apache-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 37.7k | [Compare vs Azure AD](https://caniforkit.com/vs/azure-ad-vs-keycloak) |
| [Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/fork/authgear) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 2.1k | [Compare vs Azure AD](https://caniforkit.com/vs/azure-ad-vs-authgear) |

## In-Depth Alternative Profiles

### Keycloak
- **Fork Page**: [Keycloak Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/keycloak)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Azure AD vs Keycloak](https://caniforkit.com/vs/azure-ad-vs-keycloak)
- **Official Website**: https://www.keycloak.org/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak
- **License**: Apache-2.0
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 37.7k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Comprehensive open source identity management solution offering single sign-on, social login, and fine-grained authorization for applications and services.
- **The Catch vs Azure AD**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Authgear
- **Fork Page**: [Authgear Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/authgear)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Azure AD vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/azure-ad-vs-authgear)
- **Official Website**: https://www.authgear.com/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/authgear/authgear-server
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 2.1k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Authgear is a managed IAM platform handling authentication, SSO, and user management for B2C and B2B apps, with biometrics, MFA, and zero-trust support.
- **The Catch vs Azure AD**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Azure AD.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/authgear/authgear-server or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the best free alternative to Azure AD?
The top free alternative to Azure AD is Keycloak (open source, Apache-2.0). Comprehensive open source identity management solution offering single sign-on, social login, and fine-grained authorization for applications and services. Other popular Azure AD replacements include Authgear.

### How much does switching from Azure AD to a free alternative save?
Azure AD starts at $6/month per seat ($72/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Keycloak saves $360 per year in software subscription fees.

### What is the catch when switching away from Azure AD?
While Keycloak replaces core Azure AD features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Auth0.

## Related

- [security Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/security)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)