# Authgear: Free Open Source Alternative to AWS Cognito, Azure AD, Clerk

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/authgear
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Authgear (Open Source, Open Source) replaces AWS Cognito, Azure AD, Clerk, Stytch. Authgear is a managed IAM platform handling authentication, SSO, and user management for B2C and B2B apps, with biometrics, MFA, and zero-trust support.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: Authgear
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://www.authgear.com/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/authgear/authgear-server
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 2.1k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/authgear/authgear-server or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS Cognito.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (5)
Replacing these paid tools with Authgear saves up to $30/mo ($360/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AWS Cognito](https://caniforkit.com/aws-cognito) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare AWS Cognito vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/aws-cognito-vs-authgear) |
| [Azure AD](https://caniforkit.com/azure-ad) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare Azure AD vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/azure-ad-vs-authgear) |
| [Clerk](https://caniforkit.com/clerk) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare Clerk vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/clerk-vs-authgear) |
| [Stytch](https://caniforkit.com/stytch) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare Stytch vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/stytch-vs-authgear) |
| [WorkOS](https://caniforkit.com/workos) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare WorkOS vs Authgear](https://caniforkit.com/vs/workos-vs-authgear) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Authgear free and open source?
Authgear is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Authgear is a managed IAM platform handling authentication, SSO, and user management for B2C and B2B apps, with biometrics, MFA, and zero-trust support.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using Authgear?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS Cognito.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)