🔐 security

WorkOS costs $6/mo.
These cost $0.

11 free alternatives to WorkOS, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.

⚡ Quick Verdict · 2027 Guide

The top-rated free, open-source replacement for WorkOS is Hanko (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 9 self-hostable tools are available (including Hanko and Keycloak). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $360/year compared to WorkOS's $6/mo subscription.

The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed WorkOS.

See the 11 picks ↓

WorkOS vs Free Alternatives

Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $6/mo

Alternative	Type	License	Where It Runs	Stars	Head-to-Head
Hanko	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 9.1k	WorkOS vs Hanko →
Keycloak	open source	Apache-2.0	Self-host	★ 37.7k	WorkOS vs Keycloak →
Better Auth	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 30.6k	WorkOS vs Better Auth →
Authentik	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 26.3k	WorkOS vs Authentik →
Zitadel	open source	AGPL-3.0	Self-host	★ 15.5k	WorkOS vs Zitadel →
SuperTokens	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 15.3k	WorkOS vs SuperTokens →
Ory	open source	Apache-2.0	Self-host	★ 13.9k	WorkOS vs Ory →
Hexclave	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 6.9k	WorkOS vs Hexclave →
Permify	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 6k	WorkOS vs Permify →
Cerbos	open source	Apache-2.0	Self-host	★ 4.6k	WorkOS vs Cerbos →
Authgear	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 2.1k	WorkOS vs Authgear →

The picks

11 open source · ranked by fit

01
Hanko
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
9.1knov 2026
Open source authentication platform supporting passkeys, 2FA, SSO, and social login. Self-host or use Hanko Cloud, with full control over your data and no lock-in.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed WorkOS.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/teamhanko/hanko 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
2026-11-07
Visit hanko.io ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 4 other apps →
02
Keycloak
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host
37.7knov 2026
Comprehensive open source identity management solution offering single sign-on, social login, and fine-grained authorization for applications and services.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires 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
2026-11-07
Visit keycloak.org ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 5 other apps →
03
Better Auth
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
30.6knov 2026
A comprehensive authentication framework offering email/password, social sign-on, two-factor auth, and multi-tenant support with full TypeScript integration.
The catch vs WorkOS
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/better-auth/better-auth or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit better-auth.com ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 3 other apps →
04
Authentik
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
26.3knov 2026
authentik is an open-source identity provider that offers self-hosted authentication, authorization, and user management for businesses of all sizes.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires 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
2026-11-07
Visit goauthentik.io ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 6 other apps →
05
Zitadel
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host
15.5knov 2026
ZITADEL provides a comprehensive identity management solution with easy APIs, customizable workflows, and serverless deployment options.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires 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
2026-11-07
Visit zitadel.com ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 7 other apps →
06
SuperTokens
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
15.3knov 2026
Open-source authentication solution offering flexible, self-hosted user management with advanced features and easy integration.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Okta.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/supertokens/supertokens-core 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
2026-11-07
Visit supertokens.com ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 5 other apps →
07
Ory
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host
13.9knov 2026
Ory is a certified and battle-tested identity solution backed by a large open source community and trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires 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
2026-11-07
Visit ory.sh ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 7 other apps →
08
Hexclave
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
6.9knov 2026
Self-hostable platform combining user auth, payments, email, and analytics into modular building blocks that fit around your existing product.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed WorkOS.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/hexclave/hexclave 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
2026-11-07
Visit hexclave.com ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 3 other apps →
09
Permify
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
6knov 2026
Open-source authorization service for implementing fine-grained access controls. Centralized, scalable solution supporting RBAC, ABAC and ReBAC with Google Zanzibar-inspired architecture.
The catch vs WorkOS
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/permify/permify or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit permify.co ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 1 other app →
10
Cerbos
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host
4.6knov 2026
A scalable authorization layer that provides fine-grained access control through externalized policies, enabling secure and flexible permissions management.
The catch vs WorkOS
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Okta.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/cerbos/cerbos 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
2026-11-07
Visit cerbos.dev ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 2 other apps →
11
Authgear
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
2.1knov 2026
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 WorkOS
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed WorkOS.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
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.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit authgear.com ↗Source Compare vs WorkOS →also replaces 4 other apps →

WorkOS Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)

Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 11 free alternatives

WorkOS vs HankoOpen Source · Self-host →

WorkOS vs KeycloakApache-2.0 · Self-host →

WorkOS vs Better AuthOpen Source · Local →

WorkOS vs AuthentikOpen Source · Self-host →

WorkOS vs ZitadelAGPL-3.0 · Self-host →

WorkOS vs SuperTokensOpen Source · Self-host →

WorkOS vs OryApache-2.0 · Self-host →

WorkOS vs HexclaveOpen Source · Self-host →

WorkOS vs PermifyOpen Source · Local →

WorkOS vs CerbosApache-2.0 · Self-host →

WorkOS vs AuthgearOpen Source · Self-host →

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers · WorkOS open-source replacements

What is the best free alternative to WorkOS?+

The top free alternative to WorkOS is Hanko (open source, Open Source). Open source authentication platform supporting passkeys, 2FA, SSO, and social login. Self-host or use Hanko Cloud, with full control over your data and no lock-in. Other popular WorkOS replacements include Keycloak, Better Auth, Authentik.

Can I self-host a free replacement for WorkOS?+

Yes. Of the 11 free alternatives to WorkOS, 9 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Hanko (Open Source), Keycloak (Apache-2.0), Authentik (Open Source), Zitadel (AGPL-3.0), SuperTokens (Open Source), Ory (Apache-2.0), Hexclave (Open Source), Cerbos (Apache-2.0), Authgear (Open Source).

How much does switching from WorkOS to a free alternative save?+

WorkOS starts at $6/month per seat ($72/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Hanko saves $360 per year in software subscription fees.

Should I vibe-code or build my own WorkOS clone from scratch?+

Our build verdict for WorkOS is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for WorkOS or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 11 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Hanko.

What is the catch when switching from WorkOS to Hanko?+

Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed WorkOS.