Choosing the right IAM (Identity and Access Management) solution is crucial for enterprise security. This guide compares two popular options: Keycloak (open-source, flexible) and Okta (cloud-native, managed). Here’s what you need to know:
- Keycloak: Offers on-premise, cloud, and hybrid deployment. Supports OIDC, SAML, OAuth 2.0, and custom authentication flows. It’s ideal for businesses needing full control and customization.
- Okta: A fully managed SaaS platform with pre-built integrations, strong security certifications, and developer-friendly tools. Best for organizations seeking simplicity and scalability.
- Skycloak Managed Keycloak: Provides a middle ground by offering managed Keycloak hosting with compliance tools, SLA guarantees, and cost-effective plans.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Keycloak | Okta | Skycloak (Managed Keycloak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment | On-premise, Cloud, Hybrid | Cloud-native SaaS | Managed hosting (Cloud, Hybrid) |
| Customization | Highly flexible | Limited to platform tools | Flexible with managed support |
| MFA Options | OTP, custom flows | Push, SMS, biometric, etc. | Same as Keycloak |
| Integration | Protocol-based (OIDC, SAML) | Pre-built connectors | Pre-configured tools |
| Compliance | Varies (self-managed) | SOC 2, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Cost | Self-hosted $1,250/month | Custom pricing | Plans from $25 to $1,000/month |
Bottom Line: Choose Keycloak for control, Okta for simplicity, or Skycloak for managed flexibility. Dive into the article for a detailed breakdown of features, costs, and use cases.
Keycloak and Okta Basics
Keycloak Platform Features
Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management (IAM) solution that provides robust user management, supports SAML and OIDC protocols, and allows for extensive customization through its flexible architecture.
| Core Capability | Implementation Details |
|---|---|
| Deployment Options | On-premise, Cloud, Hybrid |
| Authentication | OIDC, SAML, OAuth 2.0 |
| User Management | User Federation, Custom Storage |
| MFA Support | OTP, Email, Custom Flows |
| Customization Level | Extensible Architecture |
On the other hand, Okta offers a cloud-native IAM solution with pre-built connectors for seamless integration.
Okta Platform Features
Okta provides a cloud-based IAM service, removing the need for infrastructure management. It includes a library of pre-built connectors to integrate with various applications.
| Core Capability | Implementation Details |
|---|---|
| Deployment Options | Cloud-native SaaS |
| Authentication | OIDC, SAML, OAuth 2.0 |
| User Management | Cloud Directory, Universal Directory |
| MFA Support | Push, Biometric, SMS, Email |
| Customization Level | API-driven Configuration |
For those looking for the flexibility of Keycloak without the operational burden, Skycloak offers managed hosting services.
Skycloak Managed Services
Skycloak provides fully managed Keycloak hosting, ideal for businesses that want flexibility without the hassle of managing infrastructure. Their services automate workflows like MFA, social login, and passkeys, simplifying identity management.
| Service Tier | Monthly Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dev | $25 | Single cluster, unlimited users |
| Startup | $450 | Dual clusters, 99.95% SLA |
| Growth | $1,000 | Triple clusters, 24/7 support |
All plans include SLA guarantees, advanced monitoring, and expert support, making it easier to manage identity solutions while retaining Keycloak’s flexibility.
Core Features Comparison
IAM Feature Matrix
Both Okta and Keycloak (via Skycloak) support OIDC, SAML, and MFA. However, their approaches to MFA differ. Okta offers options like push notifications, SMS, voice calls, email, and hardware tokens. Keycloak, on the other hand, provides one-time passwords through email or authenticator apps and allows for custom authentication flows.
| Feature | Okta | Keycloak / Skycloak Managed |
|---|---|---|
| MFA Options | Push notifications, SMS, voice calls, email, hardware tokens | One-time passwords via email or authenticator apps, custom flows |
Performance and Support Options
Performance and support are critical for enterprise use. Skycloak offers several plans tailored to different needs:
- Dev Plan: Includes a single cluster and email support.
- Startup Plan: Provides two clusters, business-hour email/chat support, and a 99.95% SLA.
- Growth Plan: Features three clusters, 24/7 premium support, and a 99.995% SLA.
Security Standards and Certificates
Okta is certified for ISO 27001, ISO 27018, and SOC 2 Type II, and complies with GDPR and CCPA. Skycloak-managed Keycloak extends SOC 2 compliance and GDPR adherence while adding advanced features like monitoring, audit logging, and private network access.
RAG doc2: Okta holds security certifications like ISO 27001, ISO 27018, and SOC 2 Type II, and complies with GDPR and CCPA.
System Integration Options
Enterprise System Connections
Okta offers a vast library of pre-built connectors for thousands of cloud-based and on-premise applications. On the other hand, Keycloak supports SAML, OIDC, user federation, and identity brokering right out of the box.
Skycloak’s managed Keycloak service simplifies the setup process by offering pre-configured options for widely used enterprise directories and identity providers. This reduces the effort required to connect systems like Active Directory, Azure AD, and Google Workspace.
Below, we explore how each platform handles implementation.
Keycloak Implementation Examples
Keycloak’s modular design allows it to adapt to a variety of enterprise use cases. It supports custom providers, such as the User Storage Service Provider Interface (SPI) and Policy Service Provider Interface (SPI), so organizations can shape their identity and access management (IAM) solutions to meet specific needs. Developers can also use Keycloak’s REST APIs and platform adapters for Java, Node.js, and Spring Boot to:
- Connect applications using standard protocols
- Customize authentication and authorization processes
- Manage federated identities across different domains
Okta Implementation Examples
Okta offers tools and customization options tailored for developers, including:
- SDKs for major programming languages to build custom authentication flows
- A Workflows Engine to automate identity tasks and integrations
Skycloak complements Keycloak with additional integration utilities to further streamline deployments.
Skycloak Integration Tools
Skycloak extends Keycloak’s integration capabilities with automated tools and pre-configured resources, such as:
- Docker-compose generator: Simplifies container deployment and setup
- JWT decoder: Eases token validation and debugging
- Support for popular development frameworks: Makes application integration smoother
- Automated recipes: Accelerates deployments and ensures compliance
For more advanced needs, the Skycloak Growth plan includes features like private network access and custom extension plugins, enabling more complex IAM setups while maintaining security.
sbb-itb-9d854a3
Keycloak vs Okta vs JWT | Best Platform For Identity and …
Cost Analysis
Cost plays a major role in choosing an IAM solution. Here’s a breakdown of the expenses for self-hosted Keycloak, Okta subscriptions, and Skycloak’s managed plans.
Keycloak Implementation Costs
Running Keycloak on your own infrastructure involves several expenses:
- Hosting Keycloak on 3×4 vCPU/16 GB VMs and 2×2 vCPU/8 GB VMs, along with networking, costs about $910/month.
- Add approximately $360/month for maintenance (3 hours per week).
This brings the total to $1,250/month for a self-hosted setup. Additionally, achieving compliance with standards like SOC, ISO, and GDPR can require an upfront investment of around $100,000. These costs provide a baseline to compare against subscription and managed service options.
Okta Subscription Costs
Okta’s pricing depends on the number of active users and the selected feature tier (e.g., Workforce Identity or Customer Identity). For exact pricing, you’ll need to reach out to Okta for a custom quote.
Skycloak Service Plans
Skycloak offers straightforward managed service plans:
- Dev ($25/month): Includes a small cluster, unlimited users and apps, logs, and email support.
- Startup ($450/month): Provides two medium clusters, a 99.95% SLA, custom themes and domains, priority support, and one hour of consulting.
- Growth ($1,000/month): Features three large clusters, a 99.995% SLA, 24/7 support, a private network, plugins, monitoring, and two hours of consulting.
These options cater to a range of needs, from small-scale deployments to enterprise-level requirements.
Summary and Decision Guide
When deciding between Keycloak and Okta, enterprises need to consider factors like deployment control, integration options, customization capabilities, compliance features, and support availability.
Platform Comparison Results
Here’s a side-by-side look at Keycloak (offered as on-premise, cloud, or hybrid) and Okta (cloud-only):
| Aspect | Keycloak | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Control | Complete control over infrastructure | Fully managed cloud service |
| Integration Method | Protocol-based (OIDC, SAML, OAuth 2.0) | Large library of pre-built connectors |
| Customization | Highly flexible through open-source code | Limited to platform-provided options |
| Security Compliance | Varies by deployment environment | Built-in certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001) |
| Support Model | Community support or Red Hat subscription | 24/7 enterprise-grade support |
In addition to these platform distinctions, Skycloak offers a managed Keycloak service that provides extra compliance and operational benefits.
Skycloak Managed Keycloak Benefits
- Fully Managed Operations
Skycloak takes care of infrastructure, updates, and scaling. This eliminates the need for organizations to handle self-hosting tasks, enabling them to focus on growth and other priorities. - Predictable Pricing and Compliance Tools
Starting at $1,000 per month, Skycloak’s plans include enterprise SLAs, dedicated support, and built-in tools for GDPR and SOC 2 compliance.