Java Identity Server vs Developer Auth
Keycloak vs SuperTokens: Which One Should You Choose in 1970?
Keycloak is the standard open-source identity server: realms, LDAP sync, SAML and OIDC, built for organisations with existing directories. SuperTokens is a lighter developer auth library for product teams that just need sessions, social login and MFA.
Quick verdict
- Existing ldap and saml
- Keycloakdirectory federation, Kerberos, multi-realm
- Customer facing auth
- SuperTokenslighter ops, modern SDKs, session-first design
Keycloak vs SuperTokens: feature comparison
| Feature | KeycloakOpen SourceSelf-Hostable | SuperTokensOpen SourceSelf-Hostable |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Java / Quarkus | Node, Go, Python, Java cores |
| Ops Weight | High (JVM, DB tuning) | Medium (Postgres + service) |
| SAML / LDAP | Full | Limited |
| MFA & Passkeys | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | $0 (self-hosted) | $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud to 5,000 MAU |
Pricing takeaway
Both are free to self-host, so the comparison is operational: Keycloak needs a Java engineer and a hardened cluster, SuperTokens runs as a service beside your app with less to operate.
- Keycloak
- 100% Free Open-Source (Red Hat Community). Starts at $0 (Free Self-Hosted). Unlimited users, unlimited realms, 100% free.Full Keycloak pricing breakdown
- SuperTokens
- Open source (Apache-2.0) / Cloud usage-based. Starts at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU. Free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU.Full SuperTokens pricing breakdown
Pros and cons
Keycloak
Visit KeycloakPros
- Complete enterprise SSO, LDAP/Active Directory sync, Kerberos, OpenID Connect
- Multi-tenancy realms out of the box with zero user license fees
- No vendor lock-in; ideal for on-premise and sensitive regulated data
Cons
- High DevOps maintenance burden and Java memory footprint
- Default login UI is dated and requires custom theme development
- Major-version upgrades regularly need migration work on custom themes and providers
SuperTokens
Visit SuperTokensPros
- Open-source auth with email/password, social, passwordless and MFA
- Session handling you can run next to your own user database
- Drop-in frontend SDKs for React, Vue and mobile
Cons
- Security updates and uptime are yours when self-hosting
- Fewer enterprise B2B features (SCIM, deep organisation management) than Auth0
- Smaller documentation and community than Auth0 or Clerk
Keycloak vs SuperTokens: FAQ
Is SuperTokens a good alternative to Keycloak?
Keycloak is the standard open-source identity server: realms, LDAP sync, SAML and OIDC, built for organisations with existing directories. SuperTokens is a lighter developer auth library for product teams that just need sessions, social login and MFA.
Which is cheaper, Keycloak or SuperTokens?
Both are free to self-host, so the comparison is operational: Keycloak needs a Java engineer and a hardened cluster, SuperTokens runs as a service beside your app with less to operate.
Is Keycloak or SuperTokens open source?
Keycloak is open source (github.com/keycloak/keycloak). SuperTokens is open source (github.com/supertokens/supertokens-core).
Can I self-host Keycloak or SuperTokens?
Keycloak can be self-hosted. Difficulty: High (Java/Quarkus container, DB setup). SuperTokens can be self-hosted. Difficulty: Medium (Docker with Postgres).
Do Keycloak and SuperTokens have a free tier?
Keycloak: Unlimited users, unlimited realms, 100% free. SuperTokens: Free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU.