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Developer Tools · head to head

ESLint vs Ory Kratos

ESLint logo

ESLint

Developer Tools

Find and fix problems in JavaScript code

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Ory Kratos logo

Ory Kratos

Cybersecurity

Headless identity and user management API

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome; Ory Kratos headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESLint and Ory Kratos actually diverge.

Attributes where ESLint and Ory Kratos differ
AttributeESLintOry Kratos
Pricing modelUnknownOpen-source self-hosted, with a paid managed network
PlatformsBrowser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environmentLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryDeveloper ToolsCybersecurity
Founded2019Unknown

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 ESLint

Nothing recorded that Ory Kratos does not also cover.

Only in Ory Kratos

  • Headless API
  • Self-service flows
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Pluggable identity schemas

What people use each for

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

ESLint

  • Statically analysing JavaScript and JSX to find problems before runtimenot Ory Kratos
  • Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot Ory Kratos
  • Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot Ory Kratos
  • Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot Ory Kratos
  • Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot Ory Kratos

Ory Kratos

  • Products needing complete control over the look and flow of authenticationnot ESLint
  • Applications that must not hand user identity data to a third partynot ESLint
  • Teams building identity as infrastructure across several servicesnot ESLint

Where each one falls short

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

ESLint

  • Slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome
  • Complexity in configuration from scratch, particularly for TypeScript support
  • Limited built-in TypeScript support, requiring separate parsers and coordination with new TypeScript features

Ory Kratos

  • Headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • More moving parts than a monolithic IAM: Kratos handles identity, and OAuth2 needs Ory Hydra alongside
  • Documentation assumes real familiarity with identity concepts and is not a gentle introduction
  • Self-hosting identity carries the security and availability burden that hosted providers absorb

Pricing, plan by plan

ESLint

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.

Ory Kratos

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Full identity server
    • All flows
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose ESLint if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
ESLint review

Choose Ory Kratos if

  • You need headless api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want self-service flows.
Ory Kratos review

Questions people ask

Is ESLint or Ory Kratos better?
Neither clearly leads. ESLint starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESLint or Ory Kratos?
ESLint starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free.
Does ESLint or Ory Kratos run on more platforms?
ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment. Ory Kratos runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use ESLint for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ESLint best used for?
ESLint is most often used for statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime, automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites, enforcing a consistent code style across a team, running as a ci step to block non-conforming code. Of those, statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime and automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites are not what Ory Kratos is typically brought in for.
What can ESLint do that Ory Kratos cannot?
Ory Kratos covers Headless API, Self-service flows, Multi-factor authentication, Pluggable identity schemas.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ESLint: Does ESLint automatically fix code issues?

Many problems ESLint finds can be automatically fixed via the --fix flag. ESLint fixes are syntax-aware so you won't experience errors introduced by traditional find-and-replace algorithms.

Source
Ory Kratos: Is Ory Kratos free?

Yes, open source and free to self-host. Ory Network is a paid managed service.

ESLint: How much does ESLint cost?

ESLint is completely free and open-source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. The project accepts voluntary donations from sponsors.

Source
Ory Kratos: What does headless mean here?

Kratos provides identity flows as APIs and no user interface. You build the login, registration and recovery screens yourself.

ESLint: Can I write custom ESLint rules?

Yes. You can develop custom rules that work alongside built-in functionality through ESLint's plugin system, allowing complete customization for your project needs.

Source
Ory Kratos: Does Kratos do OAuth2?

No. Kratos handles user identity; OAuth2 and OpenID Connect provider functionality is Ory Hydra, a separate component.

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