Developer Tools · head to head
Keycloak vs Microsoft Defender
Keycloak
Developer Tools
Open-source identity and access management server.
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Free plan
- No
The short version
- Only Keycloak has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Keycloak requires self-hosted deployment and operational expertise to install, configure and maintain; Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Keycloak and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | Keycloak | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $12/month |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API | Web |
| Category | Developer Tools | Cybersecurity |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Keycloak
- Organisations requiring self-hosted identity infrastructure for compliance or data residencynot Microsoft Defender
- Companies with existing LDAP/Active Directory systems needing federated authenticationnot Microsoft Defender
- Open-source projects and communities requiring free IAM without licensing costsnot Microsoft Defender
- Enterprises building custom identity workflows requiring fine-grained authorisationnot Microsoft Defender
- Teams with sufficient operational expertise to manage infrastructurenot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Keycloak
- Identity and access securitynot Keycloak
- Email threat protectionnot Keycloak
- SaaS application security monitoringnot Keycloak
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Microsoft Defender
- Defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Some Defender products use pay-as-you-go pricing with variable costs
- Prices vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring sales contact for custom quotes
Pricing, plan by plan
Keycloak
Free- Open-sourceFree
- Full platform functionality
- Self-hosted deployment
- Community support
Microsoft Defender
$12/month- Microsoft Defender Suite$12/month
- Endpoint protection
- Identity threat detection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/month
- Includes Defender Suite
- Microsoft Teams included
- Comprehensive security and compliance
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/month
- Vulnerability scanning and management
- One-month free trial available
- Annual commitment required
Which should you pick?
Choose Keycloak if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API.
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Keycloak on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Keycloak or Microsoft Defender better?
- Neither clearly leads. Keycloak starts at Free and Microsoft Defender at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Keycloak or Microsoft Defender?
- Keycloak has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Keycloak and $12/month for Microsoft Defender.
- Does Keycloak or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
- Keycloak runs on Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API. Microsoft Defender runs on Web.
- Can I use Keycloak for free?
- Yes. Keycloak has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month.
- What is Keycloak best used for?
- Keycloak is most often used for organisations requiring self-hosted identity infrastructure for compliance or data residency, companies with existing ldap/active directory systems needing federated authentication, open-source projects and communities requiring free iam without licensing costs, enterprises building custom identity workflows requiring fine-grained authorisation. Of those, organisations requiring self-hosted identity infrastructure for compliance or data residency and companies with existing ldap/active directory systems needing federated authentication are not what Microsoft Defender is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Keycloak: What protocols does Keycloak support?
Keycloak supports OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0 and SAML 2.0 protocols for authentication and authorisation.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: How much does Microsoft Defender Suite cost?
Microsoft Defender Suite costs $12/user/month (paid yearly), but requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing. It includes endpoint protection, identity threat detection, email security, and SaaS application monitoring.
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.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on costs $2/user/month with annual commitment and includes a one-month free trial. Additional pay-as-you-go products include External Attack Surface Management, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Sentinel.
SourceKeycloak: Is Keycloak free?
Yes. Keycloak is fully open-source and free to deploy and use. No licensing fees are required.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: Is Defender included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $60/user/month (paid yearly with Teams). Prices may vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring contact with Sales for customized quotes.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
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