Own Auth vs. Keycloak
Keycloak is a standalone open-source identity and access management server. Own Auth is an open-source package that runs inside an application backend and stores authentication data in its Postgres database.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a Keycloak alternative
You want authentication embedded in one backend, direct Postgres ownership, and no separate identity server to operate.
| Feature | Own Auth | Keycloak |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Database under your control |
| Open source | Fully open source | Open source |
| Framework lock-in | None | Protocol-based integration |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Standalone server |
| Passwords | Built in | Built in |
| Magic links | Built in | Requires an extension or custom flow |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | Requires an extension or custom flow |
| Sessions | Database-backed | Server-managed identity sessions |
| Organisations | Built in | Model with realms, groups, and roles |
| API keys | Built in | Use clients and service accounts |
| Audit logs | Built in | Event logging |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Deployment and extension dependent |
| Pricing | Free and open source | Open source, infrastructure is self-funded |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseKeycloak
Database under your controlFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceKeycloak
Open sourceFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneKeycloak
Protocol-based integrationFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendKeycloak
Standalone serverFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Requires an extension or custom flowFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Requires an extension or custom flowFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedKeycloak
Server-managed identity sessionsFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Model with realms, groups, and rolesFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Use clients and service accountsFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Event loggingFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inKeycloak
Deployment and extension dependentFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceKeycloak
Open source, infrastructure is self-fundedDeployment model
Keycloak runs as a separate server with its own administration, upgrades, availability, and capacity planning. Own Auth runs in the application process and uses the application's Postgres connection. The operational choice is a shared identity service versus authentication code deployed with each application.
Identity protocols
Keycloak is designed around standards-based identity federation and centralized administration. It is a strong fit for applications that need OpenID Connect, SAML, identity brokering, or centralized policy. Own Auth focuses on first-party application authentication workflows and direct server APIs.
Application control
Keycloak keeps identity behavior behind server configuration, themes, providers, and protocol clients. Own Auth keeps routes, UI, session cookies, and authorization checks in application code while storing the underlying records in Postgres.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
Keycloak fits
You need a centralized identity server, standards-based federation, SAML, identity brokering, or shared administration across several applications.
Own Auth fits
You want authentication embedded in one backend, direct Postgres ownership, and no separate identity server to operate.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.