From 8ef7a648627da73666d0a0888b202469ed186bd7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Dejan L." Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2025 00:41:51 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] add: Article --- content/authelia-vs-keycloak/index.md | 180 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 180 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/authelia-vs-keycloak/index.md diff --git a/content/authelia-vs-keycloak/index.md b/content/authelia-vs-keycloak/index.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..906e6673 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/authelia-vs-keycloak/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,180 @@ +--- +title: "Authelia vs Keycloak: Which One Suits You Best?" +date: "2025-02-28" +description: "In today’s world of logins, passwords, and the eternal struggle to remember which one you used where, organizations are on the hunt for single sign-on (SSO) solutions that don’t just work but actually make life easier. Think security that doesn’t buckle under pressure, scalability that grows with you, and integrations that play nice with all your apps and systems—basically, the holy trinity of access control." +cover: "authelia-alternatives.png" +category: "listicles, comparison, iam" +author: "Dejan Lukic" +--- +In today’s world of logins, passwords, and the eternal struggle to remember which one you used where, organizations are on the hunt for single sign-on (SSO) solutions that don’t just work but actually make life easier. Think security that doesn’t buckle under pressure, scalability that grows with you, and integrations that play nice with all your apps and systems—basically, the holy trinity of access control. + +And let’s be real, not everyone wants to hand over their identity management to the big-name players like Auth0, Okta, or AWS Cognito. Enter the self-hosted, open-source underdogs: Authelia and Keycloak. These tools have been quietly (or not so quietly) winning over businesses and developers who like their solutions flexible, customizable, and, well, free. Because who doesn’t love a good DIY project that actually works? + +Both Authelia and Keycloak provide identity and access management (IAM) solutions tailored for different use cases. Authelia is a lightweight self-hosted authentication and authorization server designed primarily for reverse proxy integration with solutions like Traefik, NGINX, and Docker-based environments. It is particularly well-suited for forward auth and enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as TOTP and WebAuthn, for protecting self-hosted applications. + +On the other hand, Keycloak is a full-fledged identity provider (IdP) built for enterprise-level IAM deployments. It supports OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, and LDAP, making it a versatile solution for user management, identity federation, and role-based access control (RBAC). Keycloak is often used in large-scale environments requiring scalability, permissions management, and extensive API integrations. + +Deciding between Authelia and Keycloak is a bit like choosing between a trusty Swiss Army knife and a full-blown toolbox—it all comes down to your needs. Key factors like SSO requirements, integration flexibility, security features, performance, and budget all play a role in the decision. If you’re exploring alternatives to Keycloak, you might want to check out SuperTokens, an open-source authentication platform that’s all about modern, passwordless magic. For a deep dive into how Keycloak stacks up against SuperTokens, you can [read this in-depth comparison article](https://supertokens.com/blog/supertokens-vs-keycloak). (Yes, it’s as nerdy and helpful as it sounds.) + +In this article, we will compare Authelia vs Keycloak across several key dimensions, including single sign-on (SSO), integration options, user management, security features, scalability and performance, community support, and cost & licensing. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of which solution best fits your specific authentication and IAM needs. + +## Authelia: An Overview + +[Authelia](https://www.authelia.com) is an open-source, self-hosted authentication and authorization solution designed to provide single sign-on (SSO) for web applications operating behind a reverse proxy. Unlike full-fledged identity providers (IdPs) like Keycloak, Auth0, or Okta, Authelia focuses on providing forward authentication (forward auth) and access control for users accessing services through a reverse proxy such as Traefik, NGINX, or Apache. For more information on Authelia's setup and configuration, visit the official [Authelia documentation](https://www.authelia.com/overview/prologue/architecture/). + +Authelia is like the minimalist’s dream for self-hosted setups—perfect for developers and sysadmins who want a lightweight but rock-solid authentication layer to guard their internal apps. It plays nicely with Docker, Docker-Compose, and Kubernetes, making it a breeze to roll out in containerized environments. But here’s the catch: Authelia isn’t a full-blown identity provider. Instead, it’s more of a middleware maestro, meaning it needs a sidekick like LDAP, Active Directory, or an OIDC-compliant IdP to handle the actual user authentication. Think of it as the bouncer at the door, but it needs someone else to check the guest list. + +### Key Features of Authelia + +Authelia offers a range of features designed to enhance authentication, authorization, and access control within a self-hosted ecosystem: + +* Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables centralized authentication across multiple services and applications behind a reverse proxy. +* Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Supports TOTP, WebAuthn, and Duo Security, adding an extra layer of security for user authentication. +* Fine-Grained Access Control: Uses a policy-driven approach to define permissions, restricting access to resources based on user roles and groups. +* Forward Authentication (Forward Auth): Works as a middleware to authenticate requests before granting access to backend services. +* Integration with External Identity Providers: Supports authentication through LDAP, OIDC, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, making it flexible for various infrastructures. +* Lightweight and High Performance: Optimized for low-resource environments, making it ideal for small to medium-scale self-hosted deployments. +* Containerized Deployment: Easily deployable using Docker, Docker-Compose, or Kubernetes, streamlining deployment and maintenance. + +### How Authelia Works + +Authelia acts like the gatekeeper of your self-hosted kingdom, sitting snugly between your reverse proxy and the applications it guards. When someone tries to access a protected service, the reverse proxy sends them straight to Authelia for a credential check. If the user passes the test, they’re in\! And if you want to crank up the security, Authelia can throw in multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an extra hurdle before granting access. + +This setup makes Authelia a fantastic pick for locking down self-hosted dashboards, internal dev tools, and admin panels—all without the headache of deploying a full-blown identity provider (IdP). By using forward auth, Authelia keeps things running smoothly, handling authentication requests like a pro while letting your apps stay blissfully unaware of the security magic happening behind the scenes. It’s like having a bouncer who also doubles as a ninja. + +### Typical Use Cases for Authelia + +Authelia is an ideal solution for: + +* Self-Hosted Environments: Protects services like Home Assistant, Nextcloud, Bitwarden, and Jellyfin behind a reverse proxy. +* Reverse Proxy Authentication: Works seamlessly with Traefik, NGINX, and Caddy to secure internal applications. +* Lightweight SSO Deployments: Offers single sign-on (SSO) for multiple applications without requiring an external identity provider. +* Docker-Based Infrastructures: Easily deployable via Docker-Compose, making it convenient for developers managing containerized environments. +* MFA-Enforced Security: Strengthens authentication with multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security in self-hosted applications. + +While Authelia excels in self-hosted scenarios, it may not be the best choice for large-scale enterprise deployments requiring advanced user management, identity federation, and fine-grained RBAC. For those use cases, solutions like Keycloak, Zitadel, or SuperTokens may be more suitable. + +Coming up next, we’ll dive into the world of Keycloak—its features, its quirks, and how it stacks up against Authelia in the wild world of authentication and IAM. Whether you’re securing a small project or scaling up for enterprise-level chaos, we’ll break it all down so you can decide which tool deserves a spot in your tech stack. Stay tuned\! + +## Keycloak: An Overview + +[Keycloak](https://www.keycloak.org/) is a Java-based, open-source identity provider (IdP) backed by Red Hat, and it’s built to deliver enterprise-level authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and identity federation. If you’re looking for a powerhouse IAM solution that scales effortlessly, prioritizes security, and plays well with just about everything, Keycloak is your go-to. For a deep dive into its architecture and features, check out the official [Keycloak documentation](https://www.keycloak.org/docs/latest/). + +Keycloak thrives in cloud-native environments and speaks all the modern authentication protocols—OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), SAML, and LDAP. Its flexible design lets it act as a centralized authentication hub, effortlessly integrating with microservices, Linux-based servers, and containerized apps running on Kubernetes or AWS. + +One of Keycloak’s standout features is its support for JWT (JSON Web Token)-based authentication, which ensures secure, stateless user sessions across distributed systems. Plus, its extensive documentation and robust configuration options give developers and sysadmins the tools to fine-tune authentication workflows, making it a top pick for enterprise IAM needs. + +If you’re curious about alternatives to Keycloak, tools like Authelia, SuperTokens, and Zitadel each bring their own flavor to authentication and identity management. For a detailed comparison of these options, you can explore [this article](https://supertokens.com/blog/keycloak-alternatives). Because let’s face it—sometimes you just need to shop around before committing to the right IAM partner. + +### Key Features of Keycloak + +Keycloak provides a wide range of features designed for scalable authentication, SSO, and user management in enterprise settings: + +* Built-in Authentication Flows – Supports MFA, TOTP, social login, and adaptive authentication for enhanced security. +* Extensive Integration Options – Works with OIDC, OAuth 2.0, SAML, and LDAP, making it compatible with a variety of backend services and identity providers. +* Comprehensive User Management – Enables role-based access control (RBAC), permissions management, and user federation across multiple identity sources. +* Scalability and Clustering – Designed to handle large-scale deployments with support for Kubernetes, AWS, and other cloud-native infrastructures. +* Custom Authentication Workflows – Allows organizations to implement custom middleware, plugins, and identity brokering for advanced authentication scenarios. +* Session Management and JWT Support – Uses JWT for stateless authentication, reducing the load on authentication servers while maintaining security. +* Strong Documentation and Configurability – Offers detailed docs and config options, enabling deep customization for various authentication needs. + +### Typical Use Cases for Keycloak + +Keycloak is an ideal solution for: + +* Large-Scale Enterprise IAM: Organizations needing robust user management, SSO, and identity federation with LDAP, Active Directory, or external IdPs. +* Cloud-Based Applications: Applications leveraging OAuth 2.0, OIDC, and SAML for secure authentication in distributed environments. +* Microservices and API Security: Ensuring secure API access and authentication with JWT in Kubernetes, Linux, and AWS-hosted services. +* Organizations Requiring Identity Federation: Businesses needing seamless authentication across multiple identity sources using SAML, OIDC, and LDAP. +* Highly Configurable Authentication Solutions: Companies looking for a fully customizable IAM platform with extensive config and plugin support. + +Keycloak remains a top choice for enterprises requiring scalable IAM, but for teams needing lighter-weight or self-hosted authentication solutions, tools like Authelia or SuperTokens may be better suited. Understanding your organization's authentication needs is crucial to selecting the right platform. + +## Authelia vs Keycloak – A Comprehensive Comparison + +Deciding between Authelia and Keycloak is a bit like choosing between a sleek sports car and a rugged SUV—it all depends on your needs. Key factors like single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, integration flexibility, user management, security features, scalability, and community support will steer your decision. Both are open-source and pack a punch when it comes to authentication, but they’re tailored for different scenarios. + +If you’re casting a wider net, other self-hosted authentication tools like Authentik and SuperTokens offer their own unique spins on identity and access management (IAM). For a broader perspective, [this detailed comparison of Ory, Keycloak, and SuperTokens](https://supertokens.com/blog/ory-vs-keycloak-vs-supertokens) is a fantastic resource to explore. + +Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and dig into how Authelia and Keycloak stack up across the key factors that matter most. Spoiler: it’s going to be a close race\! + +### Single Sign-On (SSO) + +Both Authelia and Keycloak support SSO, but their implementations differ significantly: + +* Authelia provides forward authentication (forward auth), meaning it integrates with a reverse proxy like Traefik, NGINX, or Apache to authenticate users before granting access to backend applications. This makes it ideal for self-hosted environments where authentication needs to be enforced at the proxy level. +* Keycloak, on the other hand, is a full-fledged identity provider (IdP) that supports OAuth 2.0, OIDC, and SAML for SSO. It allows applications to delegate authentication to Keycloak, making it more suitable for enterprise IAM and large-scale, distributed systems. + +For organizations looking for self-hosted authentication alternatives to Keycloak, this guide on [self-hosted authentication solutions](https://supertokens.com/blog/self-hosted-authentication) provides insights into other platforms like SuperTokens and Authentik. + +### Integration Options + +* Authelia is optimized for reverse proxy authentication, making it an excellent choice for environments that rely on Docker, Traefik, and NGINX. It is designed to integrate with external authentication backends such as LDAP or OIDC but does not function as a standalone identity provider. +* Keycloak supports a broad range of authentication standards, including OIDC, OAuth 2.0, SAML, and LDAP, allowing it to integrate with backend services, mobile applications, and cloud environments. It is commonly deployed in Kubernetes, AWS, and Linux-based infrastructures. + +If you're considering other self-hosted identity providers, [this article](https://supertokens.com/blog/ory-vs-keycloak-vs-supertokens/) compares Keycloak, Ory, and SuperTokens to help you determine the right fit for your use case. + +### User Management + +* Authelia has basic user management features and typically relies on external identity providers (e.g., LDAP, OIDC) to handle user authentication. It offers policy-based access control but lacks built-in role or group management. +* Keycloak provides comprehensive user management, including role-based access control (RBAC), identity federation, and user federation with LDAP, Active Directory, and other IdPs. It allows fine-grained control over permissions and user roles. + +For organizations requiring an IdP with extensive RBAC and identity federation, Keycloak is the superior choice. However, if you need lightweight authentication with external user management, Authelia may be sufficient. + +### Security Features + +* Authelia prioritizes multi-factor authentication (MFA), offering support for TOTP, WebAuthn, and Duo Security. It enforces forward authentication at the proxy level, ensuring that only authenticated requests reach backend services. +* Keycloak includes robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) options, such as TOTP, WebAuthn, and adaptive authentication, which dynamically adjusts security requirements based on user behavior. Combined with identity brokering and advanced security policies, Keycloak is well-suited for enterprise environments that demand fine-grained authentication workflows and enhanced security. + +Both solutions use JWT (JSON Web Token) for session management, enhancing API security and SSO functionality. + +For a broader perspective on OAuth2 and modern authentication methods, the [OAuth2 guide by Digital Ocean](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/an-introduction-to-oauth-2) provides a solid foundation. + +### Scalability & Performance + +* Authelia is a lightweight self-hosted solution optimized for small to medium-scale deployments but lacks built-in clustering capabilities. +* Keycloak is designed for high scalability, supporting Kubernetes, AWS, and distributed cloud-native architectures. It can handle large-scale authentication needs with load balancing and replication. + +If your infrastructure requires high availability and enterprise-grade IAM, Keycloak is the better option. However, for self-hosted environments with moderate authentication needs, Authelia provides a simpler and more resource-efficient solution. + +### Community & Support + +* Authelia has an active GitHub community, but official enterprise support is limited. Users rely on docs, open-source contributors, and community forums for troubleshooting. +* Keycloak is backed by Red Hat, offering enterprise support alongside a strong open-source community and extensive documentation. + +Organizations requiring long-term support (LTS), enterprise-grade SLAs, and professional assistance may find Keycloak more suitable. + +### Cost & Licensing + +Both Authelia and Keycloak are open-source and free to use, but they differ in licensing. Authelia uses the permissive Apache 2.0 license, which allows for broad usage and modification with minimal restrictions. Keycloak, on the other hand, is licensed under GPL v3, a copyleft license that requires any derivative works or modifications to also be open-source. This distinction is important for organizations planning to customize or integrate Keycloak into proprietary systems. + +* Keycloak provides enterprise support via Red Hat, which may be a deciding factor for organizations that require official support. +* Authelia is community-driven, making it an attractive choice for self-hosted users who prefer a lightweight authentication solution without licensing costs. + +## Use Cases for Authelia vs Keycloak + +### When to Choose Authelia + +You should choose Authelia if: + +* You need a lightweight, self-hosted authentication solution for web applications behind a reverse proxy. +* You rely on Traefik, NGINX, or Docker-based deployments and require forward authentication (forward auth). +* You prefer a simple, policy-based access control system with support for MFA. +* You don’t need a full identity provider but require an authentication gateway. + +### When to Choose Keycloak + +Keycloak is the better choice if: + +* You require a full-fledged identity provider (IdP) with support for OIDC, OAuth2, and SAML. +* Your organization needs advanced user management, RBAC, and identity federation with LDAP or Active Directory. +* You want a scalable authentication solution that works with Kubernetes, AWS, and cloud environments. +* You need enterprise support or require a solution backed by Red Hat. + +## Conclusion + +When it comes to authentication and IAM, Authelia and Keycloak each carve out their own niche. Authelia excels as a lightweight, self-hosted solution, tailor-made for reverse proxy integrations and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Meanwhile, Keycloak stands out as a scalable, enterprise-ready identity provider, offering robust features like role-based access control (RBAC), identity federation, and OAuth2-based authentication. + +If Keycloak isn’t quite your match, alternatives like Authentik, SuperTokens, and Ory offer fresh approaches to identity and access management. For a more in-depth look at how these self-hosted solutions compare, you can explore [this detailed guide](https://supertokens.com/blog/self-hosted-authentication). After all, finding the right tool is half the battle in keeping your systems secure\! + +Want an alternative with unique features from a developer's perspective? Give [SuperTokens](https://supertokens.com/product) a go\!