Developer Tools · head to head
Keycloak vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Keycloak
Developer Tools
Open-source identity and access management server.
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- 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 for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Keycloak and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Keycloak | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Category | Developer Tools | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
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 Keycloak
Nothing recorded that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not also cover.
Only in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
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 for Endpoint
- Companies with existing LDAP/Active Directory systems needing federated authenticationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Open-source projects and communities requiring free IAM without licensing costsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprises building custom identity workflows requiring fine-grained authorisationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Teams with sufficient operational expertise to manage infrastructurenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Keycloak
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Keycloak
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not 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 for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
Pricing, plan by plan
Keycloak
Free- Open-sourceFree
- Full platform functionality
- Self-hosted deployment
- Community support
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
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 for Endpoint if
- You need threat & vulnerability management.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want attack surface reduction.
Questions people ask
- Is Keycloak or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Keycloak starts at Free and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Keycloak or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- Keycloak has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Keycloak and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- Does Keycloak or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Keycloak runs on Self-hosted, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Windows, API. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Keycloak for free?
- Yes. Keycloak has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- 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 for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Keycloak do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
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 for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
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 for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceKeycloak: Is Keycloak free?
Yes. Keycloak is fully open-source and free to deploy and use. No licensing fees are required.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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