Auth0 vs Zitadel (2025): Which Identity Platform Should You Choose?
- Philip Moses
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
When you build an app or website in 2025, one of the most important things you need is a secure login system. Instead of building this from scratch, many developers use Identity and Access Management (IAM) platforms like Auth0 and Zitadel.
In this blog, we’ll explain what Auth0 and Zitadel are, how they compare in terms of features, pricing, ease of use, security, and who should use them. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which option might be right for your project.
What is Auth0?
Auth0 (part of Okta) is a popular cloud-based identity platform. It helps businesses add login, signup, social login (Google, Facebook, etc.), single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to their apps. Auth0 is widely used because it’s simple to set up, integrates with many tools, and scales for small startups to large enterprises.
What is Zitadel?
Zitadel is a modern, open-source identity platform built for developers. It offers the same core features (SSO, MFA, passwordless login, social logins) but with a strong focus on multi-tenancy (great for SaaS businesses) and flexibility. Zitadel can run on the cloud (managed by them) or you can self-host it on your own servers. This makes it attractive for companies that want more control or want to avoid vendor lock-in.
Auth0 vs Zitadel: Key Comparison (2025)
Category | Auth0 | Zitadel |
| Login, signup, MFA, passwordless, SSO, anomaly detection, many SDKs | Login, signup, MFA, passwordless, SSO, built-in audit trail, multi-tenant support |
| Very beginner-friendly, cloud only, quick setup via dashboard | Easy on cloud, more setup if self-hosted, very flexible for developers |
| Free up to 25,000 monthly users; paid plans start around $35/month | Free for 100 daily users; Pro plan $100/month for 25,000 DAU; self-host free |
| Closed source (SDKs open) | Fully open source (AGPLv3 license), strong community support |
| Enterprise scale, 99.99% uptime on higher plans | Cloud and self-host options, scalable for SaaS and enterprise apps |
| ISO, SOC2, GDPR, advanced fraud detection | ISO, GDPR, modern security (passkeys, FIDO2), transparent open code |
| Startups & enterprises wanting a ready-to-use cloud IAM | SaaS businesses, enterprises needing open-source or self-hosting options |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Auth0 if you want a ready-to-go solution with tons of integrations, global infrastructure, and don’t want to manage servers. It’s perfect for quick setup and fast growth.
Choose Zitadel if you want open-source flexibility, self-hosting options, or strong multi-tenant support (great for B2B SaaS). It’s also cost-friendly at scale.
Final Thoughts
Both Auth0 and Zitadel are excellent identity platforms in 2025. Auth0 is the safer choice if you want simplicity and a managed service. Zitadel is better if you need open-source, customization, or self-hosting.
At the end of the day, your choice depends on what matters more for your project: convenience and ready-made features (Auth0) or flexibility and ownership (Zitadel).
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