Keycloak vs Zitadel: Which Open-Source Identity Provider Should You Choose in 2025?
- Philip Moses
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
In 2025, securing applications and user access is more important than ever. With the growth of cloud apps, SaaS products, and zero-trust security, companies need strong identity and access management (IAM) solutions.
Two popular open-source platforms leading the way are Keycloak and Zitadel. Both help businesses handle logins, permissions, and authentication, but each has its own strengths.
This blog compares Keycloak vs Zitadel so you can decide which works best for your business needs.
What is Keycloak?
Keycloak is a well-established IAM platform backed by Red Hat. It has been around for over 10 years and is trusted by large enterprises worldwide.
With Keycloak, you can easily add login features, Single Sign-On (SSO), and connect with external identity providers or social logins like Google and Facebook.
Key features of Keycloak (2025):
More than a decade of enterprise adoption.
Supports OIDC, OAuth2, and SAML.
Social login and third-party identity integration.
Highly customizable with themes and plugins.
Backed by a large open-source community.
What is Zitadel?
Zitadel is a modern, cloud-native IAM solution designed for scalability and developer experience. Built with Go and Angular, it’s lightweight, fast, and works especially well in cloud-first environments.
It’s a strong choice for startups and SaaS companies that need multi-tenant identity management and features like passwordless login.
Key features of Zitadel (2025):
Optimized for cloud-native deployments.
Built-in multi-tenancy, perfect for SaaS businesses.
Supports both human and machine authentication.
Passwordless and biometric login included.
Integrated auditing and compliance tools.
Keycloak vs Zitadel: Side-by-Side
Feature | Keycloak (2025) | Zitadel (2025) |
| Over 10 years, very stable | Newer but growing quickly |
| Java-based | Go + Angular, cloud-native |
| Limited, needs extra setup | Built-in |
| OIDC, OAuth2, SAML | OIDC, OAuth2, SAML |
| Highly flexible with themes and plugins | API-first, less mature customization |
| Heavier, better for servers/VMs | Lightweight, Docker/Kubernetes-friendly |
| Needs add-ons | Built-in |
| Large, Red Hat-backed | Smaller but fast-growing |
| Big enterprises, legacy systems | SaaS apps, startups, modern platforms |
When to Use Keycloak
Large enterprises looking for a proven IAM solution.
Companies needing SAML support for older systems.
Businesses requiring deep customization.
Organizations wanting long-term stability and Red Hat support.
When to Use Zitadel
Startups or SaaS providers managing multiple customers.
Teams working in cloud-native or Kubernetes-first setups.
Companies wanting passwordless login out of the box.
Businesses scaling for both human and machine users.
Keycloak vs Zitadel in 2025 :
Both platforms are strong choices:
Keycloak is the trusted solution for enterprises that value maturity, stability, and customization.
Zitadel is the modern alternative for businesses that want cloud-first features, multi-tenancy, and lightweight deployment.
👉 Pick Keycloak if stability and customization matter most.
👉 Pick Zitadel if you need modern IAM that scales easily with SaaS or cloud-native apps.
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