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Cybersecurity · head to head

authentik vs Idira

authentik logo

authentik

Cybersecurity

Open-source identity provider with flexible authentication flows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Idira logo

Idira

Cybersecurity

Built on CyberArk's legacy and powered by Palo Alto Networks

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only authentik has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: authentik smaller project than Keycloak, with a correspondingly smaller community and fewer integration guides; Idira no pricing is published anywhere on the product page; every call to action is Request a Demo or a sales contact form
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which authentik and Idira actually diverge.

Attributes where authentik and Idira differ
AttributeauthentikIdira
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOpen-source core with a paid enterprise tierquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hostedWeb

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

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 authentik

  • Configurable flows
  • Protocol support
  • Application proxy
  • Modern admin interface

Only in Idira

Nothing recorded that authentik does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

authentik

  • Self-hosted SSO across internal services without commercial identity pricingnot Idira
  • Putting authentication in front of applications that have none, via the proxynot Idira
  • Teams who tried Keycloak and wanted something less heavynot Idira

Idira

  • Tracking all privileged account usage in manufacturing facilitiesnot authentik
  • Securing clinical resource access across distributed healthcare practicesnot authentik
  • Implementing managed privilege access management across government agenciesnot authentik
  • Consolidating human, machine, and AI agent activity monitoringnot authentik
  • Centralizing vault and secrets management across environmentsnot authentik

Where each one falls short

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

authentik

  • Smaller project than Keycloak, with a correspondingly smaller community and fewer integration guides
  • The flow model is flexible but conceptually unfamiliar, and simple setups can feel over-abstracted
  • Enterprise support and some governance features sit behind the paid tier
  • Self-hosted identity is still yours to secure, patch and keep available

Idira

  • No pricing is published anywhere on the product page; every call to action is Request a Demo or a sales contact form
  • Endpoint privilege management and agentic AI identity governance are sold as separate solution categories rather than one bundled price, so evaluating total cost requires multiple sales conversations

Pricing, plan by plan

authentik

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Full identity provider
    • All protocols
    • Community support

Idira

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Idira review.

Which should you pick?

Choose authentik if

  • You need configurable flows.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted.
  • You also want protocol support.
authentik review

Choose Idira if

Nothing in the data separates Idira from authentik on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Idira review

Questions people ask

Is authentik or Idira better?
Neither clearly leads. authentik starts at Free and Idira at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, authentik or Idira?
authentik has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for authentik and On request for Idira.
Does authentik or Idira run on more platforms?
authentik runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. Idira runs on Web.
Can I use authentik for free?
Yes. authentik has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Idira starts at On request.
What is authentik best used for?
authentik is most often used for self-hosted sso across internal services without commercial identity pricing, putting authentication in front of applications that have none, via the proxy, teams who tried keycloak and wanted something less heavy. Of those, self-hosted sso across internal services without commercial identity pricing and putting authentication in front of applications that have none, via the proxy are not what Idira is typically brought in for.
What can authentik do that Idira cannot?
authentik covers Configurable flows, Protocol support, Application proxy, Modern admin interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

authentik: Is authentik free?

The open-source edition is free and complete for most use. An enterprise tier adds support and additional features.

Idira: How is Idira priced and what are the costs?

Idira pricing is not disclosed on the Palo Alto Networks website. The company directs interested organizations to request a demo or contact their sales team directly to discuss pricing and licensing options for this identity security platform.

Source
authentik: authentik or Keycloak?

authentik is generally reported as easier to run and administer; Keycloak is more established with a larger community and Red Hat behind it.

authentik: Can authentik protect apps with no login of their own?

Yes. Its application proxy places authentication in front of services that have no built-in authentication.

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