Web Development · head to head
Django vs Keycloak
Django
Web Development
The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
Keycloak
Developer Tools
Open-source identity and access management server.
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Django does not fully support asynchronous database access; Keycloak requires self-hosted deployment and operational expertise to install, configure and maintain
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Django and Keycloak actually diverge.
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 Django
- Model-View-Template (MVT)
- Object-relational mapping
- Automatic admin interface
- URL routing
- Template engine
- Form handling
- Authentication system
- Internationalization
Only in Keycloak
Nothing recorded that Django does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Django
- Web application developmentnot Keycloak
- Content management systemsnot Keycloak
- E-commerce platformsnot Keycloak
- API developmentnot Keycloak
- News websitesnot Keycloak
- Social networksnot Keycloak
Keycloak
- Organisations requiring self-hosted identity infrastructure for compliance or data residencynot Django
- Companies with existing LDAP/Active Directory systems needing federated authenticationnot Django
- Open-source projects and communities requiring free IAM without licensing costsnot Django
- Enterprises building custom identity workflows requiring fine-grained authorisationnot Django
- Teams with sufficient operational expertise to manage infrastructurenot Django
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Django
- Does not fully support asynchronous database access
- Monolithic design can feel restrictive for small-scale or lightweight applications
- Batteries-included approach adds overhead if features are not needed
- Slower framework evolution due to backward compatibility requirements
Keycloak
- Requires self-hosted deployment and operational expertise to install, configure and maintain
- No managed cloud option provided by Red Hat; organisations must operate infrastructure themselves or use third-party distributions
- Clustering and high-availability configurations require additional operational knowledge
- Community support only; commercial support requires third-party vendors or distributions
Pricing, plan by plan
Django
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full web framework
- Admin interface
- ORM system
Keycloak
Free- Open-sourceFree
- Full platform functionality
- Self-hosted deployment
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Django if
- You need model-view-template (mvt).
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want object-relational mapping.
Choose Keycloak if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API.
Questions people ask
- Is Django or Keycloak better?
- Neither clearly leads. Django starts at Free and Keycloak at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Django or Keycloak?
- Django starts at Free and Keycloak at Free.
- Does Django or Keycloak run on more platforms?
- Django runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Keycloak runs on Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API.
- Can I use Django for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Django best used for?
- Django is most often used for web application development, content management systems, e-commerce platforms, api development. Of those, web application development and content management systems are not what Keycloak is typically brought in for.
- What can Django do that Keycloak cannot?
- Django covers Model-View-Template (MVT), Object-relational mapping, Automatic admin interface, URL routing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Django: What databases does Django support?
Django natively supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3, and Oracle databases through its ORM, allowing developers to switch databases without rewriting code.
SourceKeycloak: What protocols does Keycloak support?
Keycloak supports OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0 and SAML 2.0 protocols for authentication and authorisation.
SourceDjango: How does Django handle database schema changes?
Django includes a built-in migration system. Developers use makemigrations to create migration files and migrate to apply changes to the database schema.
SourceKeycloak: Can Keycloak integrate with existing user directories?
Yes. Keycloak supports user federation with LDAP and Active Directory systems, allowing organisations to leverage existing user directories.
SourceDjango: Does Django support asynchronous programming?
Django added basic async/await support, but full asynchronous database access remains limited. The framework does not fully support asynchronous programming, which can be a limitation for real-time applications.
SourceKeycloak: Is Keycloak free?
Yes. Keycloak is fully open-source and free to deploy and use. No licensing fees are required.
SourceDjango: Is Django free and open source?
Yes, Django is free and open-source software maintained by the Django Software Foundation, founded in June 2008.
SourceRelated pages
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- Keycloak vs Sweep
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