Zitadel vs Keycloak: Which Is the Future of Cloud-Native Identity in 2025?
- Philip Moses
- Oct 28
- 4 min read
As more apps and services move to the cloud, identity management—knowing who can access what—has become a core part of modern software. This is where cloud-native identity platforms come in. They help businesses securely manage logins, users, and access across multiple apps, devices, and environments.
In this blog, we’ll look at two leading open-source tools: Zitadel and Keycloak. You’ll learn how they compare, what makes each one unique, and which might be the better fit for your needs in 2025.
What Is Cloud-Native Identity?
Cloud-native identity means managing user accounts, permissions, and secure access for apps that live in the cloud. These apps often run across multiple locations, like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. Instead of relying on one central login system, cloud-native identity works with open standards (like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect) to allow safe, flexible sign-ins from anywhere.
This matters more than ever in 2025, with remote work, mobile apps, and cybersecurity threats becoming daily challenges. Companies need systems that are secure, flexible, and easy to scale—and that’s where Zitadel and Keycloak come in.
Keycloak: A Trusted and Mature Identity Platform
Keycloak is a powerful, open-source identity and access management tool. It's been around for over a decade and is backed by Red Hat. Thousands of companies use Keycloak to manage login systems for employees and customers.
What Keycloak Does Well:
Single Sign-On (SSO): Log in once to access multiple apps.
Standard Support: Works with OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and SAML.
Flexible Setup: Supports social logins (Google, GitHub, etc.) and LDAP integration.
Admin Dashboard: Powerful interface to manage users, roles, and permissions.
Large Community: Tons of documentation, plugins, and community support.
Keycloak has deep features and works well for enterprises or complex environments. But it can feel a bit heavy or complicated for smaller teams or developers new to identity systems.
Zitadel: A Newer, Cloud-First Alternative
Zitadel is a newer open-source identity platform built from the ground up for the cloud. It’s designed to be easy for developers, quick to set up, and ideal for modern SaaS products or apps with many users.
What Zitadel Does Well:
Modern Interface: Clean, easy-to-use dashboards for both admins and users.
Built-In Multi-Tenancy: Great for B2B apps that serve multiple organizations.
Developer-Friendly: Simple APIs and SDKs for fast integration.
Passwordless and MFA Support: Future-ready login options.
Hosted or Self-Hosted: Use their managed cloud service or run it yourself.
Zitadel is perfect if you want a fresh, lightweight solution that’s easy to work with—especially for startups, SaaS companies, or developer teams building new apps.
Zitadel vs Keycloak: A Quick Comparison
Which One Should You Choose in 2025?
Choose Keycloak if:
You need a proven, enterprise-grade solution.
Your team is already using Red Hat, Java, or older systems.
You want more control and a larger ecosystem.
Choose Zitadel if:
You want a lightweight, cloud-ready IAM system.
You’re building a SaaS app or handling multiple customer organizations.
Your developers want fast, modern APIs and easy setup.
Both platforms are strong choices. The best option depends on your team, your app, and how much complexity you’re ready to manage.
Final Thoughts
Cloud-native identity is no longer optional—it’s essential in 2025. Whether you're a small team launching your first cloud app or a large enterprise managing millions of users, having the right identity platform makes everything more secure and scalable.
Keycloak is solid, flexible, and widely used. Zitadel is newer, faster to set up, and built for today’s cloud needs. No matter which one you pick, you’ll be using a powerful, open-source tool designed to secure your apps in a connected, cloud-first world
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