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Cybersecurity · head to head

authentik vs Mozilla Firefox

authentik logo

authentik

Cybersecurity

Open-source identity provider with flexible authentication flows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mozilla Firefox logo

Mozilla Firefox

Technology

Fast, private & safe web browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: authentik smaller project than Keycloak, with a correspondingly smaller community and fewer integration guides; Mozilla Firefox no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR)
  • They diverge on capability: authentik covers Configurable flows, Mozilla Firefox covers Enhanced tracking protection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which authentik and Mozilla Firefox actually diverge.

Attributes where authentik and Mozilla Firefox differ
AttributeauthentikMozilla Firefox
Pricing modelOpen-source core with a paid enterprise tierUnknown
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hostedWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryCybersecurityTechnology
FoundedUnknown2004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 authentik

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

Only in Mozilla Firefox

  • Enhanced tracking protection
  • Private browsing
  • Customizable interface
  • Add-ons support
  • Cross-device sync
  • Built-in screenshot tool
  • Reader mode
  • Picture-in-picture

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 Mozilla Firefox
  • Putting authentication in front of applications that have none, via the proxynot Mozilla Firefox
  • Teams who tried Keycloak and wanted something less heavynot Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open-source web browser with privacy-focused designnot authentik
  • Automatic tracking protection and ad blocking (2000+ data trackers blocked by default)not authentik
  • Private browsing mode for anonymous web sessionsnot authentik
  • Built-in password managernot authentik
  • Multi-platform synchronisation across devicesnot authentik
  • Developer tools and debugging capabilities for web developmentnot 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

Mozilla Firefox

  • No longer supported on Windows 8.1 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR)
  • No longer supported on macOS 10.14 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR)

Pricing, plan by plan

authentik

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

Mozilla Firefox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mozilla Firefox 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 Mozilla Firefox if

  • You need enhanced tracking protection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want private browsing.
Mozilla Firefox review

Questions people ask

Is authentik or Mozilla Firefox better?
Neither clearly leads. authentik starts at Free and Mozilla Firefox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, authentik or Mozilla Firefox?
authentik starts at Free and Mozilla Firefox at Free.
Does authentik or Mozilla Firefox run on more platforms?
authentik runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. Mozilla Firefox runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use authentik for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Mozilla Firefox is typically brought in for.
What can authentik do that Mozilla Firefox cannot?
authentik covers Configurable flows, Protocol support, Application proxy, Modern admin interface. Mozilla Firefox covers Enhanced tracking protection, Private browsing, Customizable interface, Add-ons support.

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.

Mozilla Firefox: How much does Firefox cost?

Firefox is free to download and use. No pricing tiers, subscriptions, or payment plans are offered for the standard browser.

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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Related pages

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More on Mozilla Firefox

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