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Cybersecurity · head to head

authentik vs Vigilant Solutions

authentik logo

authentik

Cybersecurity

Open-source identity provider with flexible authentication flows

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Vigilant Solutions logo

Vigilant Solutions

Government

License Plate Recognition Analytics

From
$1000/month
Free plan
No

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; Vigilant Solutions vigilant Solutions' product line, as captured before its Motorola Solutions acquisition (Internet Archive capture, 8 January 2020), was named Vigilant PlateSearch, FaceSearch, BallisticSearch and CrimeSearch, sold to law enforcement with no published pricing
  • They diverge on capability: authentik covers Configurable flows, Vigilant Solutions covers License Plate Recognition.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which authentik and Vigilant Solutions actually diverge.

Attributes where authentik and Vigilant Solutions differ
AttributeauthentikVigilant Solutions
Starting priceFree$1000/month
Pricing modelOpen-source core with a paid enterprise tiersubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hostedWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment
FoundedUnknown1928

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 authentik

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

Only in Vigilant Solutions

  • License Plate Recognition
  • Vehicle Database
  • Real-time Alerts
  • Analytics
  • Mobile LPR
  • CAD Systems
  • RMS
  • Federal Databases

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

Vigilant Solutions

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

Vigilant Solutions

  • Vigilant Solutions' product line, as captured before its Motorola Solutions acquisition (Internet Archive capture, 8 January 2020), was named Vigilant PlateSearch, FaceSearch, BallisticSearch and CrimeSearch, sold to law enforcement with no published pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

authentik

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

Vigilant Solutions

$1000/month
  • LPR Analytics$1000/month
    • LPR Cameras
    • Database Access
    • Analytics

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.

Choose Vigilant Solutions if

  • You need license plate recognition.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want vehicle database.

Questions people ask

Is authentik or Vigilant Solutions better?
Neither clearly leads. authentik starts at Free and Vigilant Solutions at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, authentik or Vigilant Solutions?
authentik has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for authentik and $1000/month for Vigilant Solutions.
Does authentik or Vigilant Solutions run on more platforms?
authentik runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. Vigilant Solutions runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use authentik for free?
Yes. authentik has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Vigilant Solutions starts at $1000/month.
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 Vigilant Solutions is typically brought in for.
What can authentik do that Vigilant Solutions cannot?
authentik covers Configurable flows, Protocol support, Application proxy, Modern admin interface. Vigilant Solutions covers License Plate Recognition, Vehicle Database, Real-time Alerts, Analytics.

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.

Vigilant Solutions: How do I get pricing information for Vigilant Solutions?

Vigilant Solutions does not publish pricing on their website. Customers must contact Motorola Solutions' sales team directly to request a pricing estimate or discuss their specific requirements.

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.

Vigilant Solutions: Is there a free demo or trial available?

Yes, Motorola Solutions (which now owns Vigilant Solutions) offers a free customized demo conducted by security experts. Users can request a demo on the product page without obligation.

Source
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.

Vigilant Solutions: Can I get a pricing estimate without committing?

Yes, customers can provide details about their requirements through the website to receive a no-obligation pricing estimate from Motorola Solutions. This allows evaluation of potential costs before making any commitment.

Source
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