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Cybersecurity · head to head

Authelia vs DocuWare

Authelia logo

Authelia

Cybersecurity

Open-source authentication and two-factor portal for reverse proxies

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
DocuWare logo

DocuWare

Government

Document Management and Workflow Automation

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Authelia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Authelia depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider; DocuWare complex setup requiring significant IT effort before full functionality is achieved
  • They diverge on capability: Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, DocuWare covers Document Storage.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Authelia and DocuWare actually diverge.

Attributes where Authelia and DocuWare differ
AttributeAutheliaDocuWare
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hostedWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment
FoundedUnknown1988

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Authelia

  • Reverse proxy integration
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Access control rules
  • Lightweight backends

Only in DocuWare

  • Document Storage
  • Intelligent Indexing
  • Workflow Automation
  • Mobile Access
  • Electronic Signatures
  • Microsoft 365
  • SAP
  • QuickBooks

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Authelia

  • Putting a login and 2FA in front of self-hosted services that have nonenot DocuWare
  • Adding SSO across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platformnot DocuWare
  • Home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxynot DocuWare

DocuWare

  • Citizen Servicesnot Authelia
  • Records Managementnot Authelia
  • Public Safetynot Authelia
  • Civic Engagementnot Authelia

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Authelia

  • Depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider
  • Configuration is YAML-first with no administrative interface, so changes mean editing files
  • Not a full IAM: user management, provisioning and federation are limited compared with Keycloak
  • Scales poorly as an organisation-wide identity solution, which is not its target

DocuWare

  • Complex setup requiring significant IT effort before full functionality is achieved
  • Limited user interface customization restricting tailored workflows and branding
  • Performance slowdowns when processing large document volumes or handling many simultaneous users
  • Search requires exact matches and is case-sensitive, limiting usability
  • Limited offline access with mobile app offering reduced functionality
  • Integration challenges with major ERP platforms
  • Steep initial investment, particularly for migrating older systems

Pricing, plan by plan

Authelia

Free
  • AutheliaFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

DocuWare

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DocuWare review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Authelia if

  • You need reverse proxy integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted.
  • You also want two-factor authentication.
Authelia review

Choose DocuWare if

  • You need document storage.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want intelligent indexing.
DocuWare review

Questions people ask

Is Authelia or DocuWare better?
Neither clearly leads. Authelia starts at Free and DocuWare at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Authelia or DocuWare?
Authelia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Authelia and On request for DocuWare.
Does Authelia or DocuWare run on more platforms?
Authelia runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. DocuWare runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Authelia for free?
Yes. Authelia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DocuWare starts at On request.
What is Authelia best used for?
Authelia is most often used for putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none, adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform, home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxy. Of those, putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none and adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform are not what DocuWare is typically brought in for.
What can Authelia do that DocuWare cannot?
Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, Two-factor authentication, Access control rules, Lightweight backends. DocuWare covers Document Storage, Intelligent Indexing, Workflow Automation, Mobile Access.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Authelia: Is Authelia free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

DocuWare: Is DocuWare available as cloud or on-premises?

DocuWare is available as both a cloud-based SaaS solution and as an on-premises deployment option.

Source
Authelia: Does Authelia need a reverse proxy?

Yes. It integrates through forward authentication with Nginx, Traefik, Caddy or HAProxy rather than sitting in front of traffic itself.

DocuWare: What platforms does DocuWare support?

DocuWare is available as a web-based platform accessible via browser, with mobile apps available on iOS and Android.

Source
Authelia: Authelia or Keycloak?

Authelia is far lighter and aimed at protecting self-hosted services behind a proxy. Keycloak is a full identity and access management platform, and much more to run.

DocuWare: Does DocuWare offer offline access?

DocuWare has limited offline access capabilities. The mobile app offers fewer features compared to the desktop version.

Source
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