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Cybersecurity · head to head

Ory Kratos vs SysCloud

Ory Kratos logo

Ory Kratos

Cybersecurity

Headless identity and user management API

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
SysCloud logo

SysCloud

Backup

Backup and security for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Free plan
No

The short version

  • Ory Kratos is free; SysCloud starts at $4/mo.
  • Only Ory Kratos lists headless API; only SysCloud lists automated backup.
  • Where Ory Kratos falls short: headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page.
  • Where SysCloud falls short: does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Ory Kratos and SysCloud differ
AttributeOry KratosSysCloud
Starting priceFree$4/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Self-hostedWeb
CategoryCybersecurityBackup

Not yet recorded: pricing model for SysCloud, founded for Ory Kratos.

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 Ory Kratos

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

Only in SysCloud

  • Automated backup
  • Ransomware protection
  • Cross-user restore
  • Data migration
  • DLP
  • Compliance archiving
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft 365

What people use each for

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

Ory Kratos

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

SysCloud

  • Data protectionnot Ory Kratos
  • Disaster recoverynot Ory Kratos
  • Business continuitynot Ory Kratos
  • Ransomware protectionnot Ory Kratos
  • Compliancenot Ory Kratos

Where each one falls short

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

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

SysCloud

  • Does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information
  • Can be slow with live data and large datasets
  • Difficult user interface for non-technical users
  • Limited backup frequency and capped storage on some plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Ory Kratos

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

SysCloud

$4/month
  • Custom Plans$4/user/mo
    • Starts at $4 per user per month
    • Discounts for yearly plans
    • Bulk purchase discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Ory Kratos if

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

Choose SysCloud if

  • You need automated backup.
  • You also want ransomware protection.

Questions people ask

Is Ory Kratos or SysCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Ory Kratos starts at Free and SysCloud at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ory Kratos or SysCloud?
Ory Kratos has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Ory Kratos and $4/month for SysCloud.
Does Ory Kratos or SysCloud run on more platforms?
Ory Kratos runs on Linux, Self-hosted. SysCloud runs on Web.
Can I use Ory Kratos for free?
Yes. Ory Kratos has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SysCloud starts at $4/month.
What is Ory Kratos best used for?
Ory Kratos is most often used for products needing complete control over the look and flow of authentication, applications that must not hand user identity data to a third party, teams building identity as infrastructure across several services. Of those, products needing complete control over the look and flow of authentication and applications that must not hand user identity data to a third party are not what SysCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Ory Kratos do that SysCloud cannot?
Ory Kratos covers Headless API, Self-service flows, Multi-factor authentication, Pluggable identity schemas. SysCloud covers Automated backup, Ransomware protection, Cross-user restore, Data migration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ory Kratos: Is Ory Kratos free?

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

SysCloud: What applications does SysCloud backup?

SysCloud backs up Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Google Classroom, Slack, HubSpot, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, Box, and Xero with automated daily backups.

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.

SysCloud: Does SysCloud have a free trial?

Yes, SysCloud offers a 30-day free trial to evaluate the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Source
Ory Kratos: Does Kratos do OAuth2?

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

SysCloud: What is SysCloud's uptime guarantee?

SysCloud operates on AWS infrastructure with 99.99% availability, running backups 365 days per year.

Source
SysCloud: How does SysCloud detect ransomware?

SysCloud can identify files encrypted by ransomware and restore a safe version, helping protect against data loss from ransomware attacks.

Source
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