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Head-to-head · OAuth Server Software

authentik vs IBM Verify

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score authentik #2 in OAuth Server Software 8.1/10 Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit authentik
IBM Verify #31 in OAuth Server Software 5.1/10 Pricing on request · 90-day trial ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit IBM Verify

authentik leads on 1 check, IBM Verify on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreauthentik · 8.1/10
  • Free planonly authentik

authentik scores higher on our rubric for oauth server software: 8.1 against 5.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #31.

authentik offers free plan; IBM Verify doesn't.

authentik is the better fit for feature-rich open-source identity teams. IBM Verify is the better fit for enterprise MFA and access management.

  • authentik fits best

    Feature-rich open-source identity teams

  • IBM Verify fits best

    Enterprise MFA and access management

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Side by side

Feature authentik 8.1/10 Visit ↗ IBM Verify 5.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 5.1
Ranking #2 in OAuth Server Software #31 in OAuth Server Software
Best for Feature-rich open-source identity teams Enterprise MFA and access management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 11 integrations 10 integrations
Features authentik 0/5 · IBM Verify 0/5
OpenID Connect Not published Not published
SAML support Not published Not published
Self-hosting Not published Not published
Token introspection Not published Not published
Machine-to-machine auth Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment model Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Free open-source tier covers major identity and directory protocols
  • MFA, adaptive policies, provisioning, and application proxying
  • Enterprise adds PAM, audit logging, and scheduled offboarding
  • Adaptive, risk-based access policies with passwordless FIDO2 authentication
  • SSO, lifecycle provisioning and centralized application management
  • REST APIs and support for OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0 and SCIM 2.0
Cons
  • Deployment is self-hosted rather than hosted by the vendor
  • Advanced enterprise capabilities require paid plans
  • Enterprise Plus uses custom contracts and dedicated support
  • Production pricing requires contacting sales or using an estimator
  • There is no free plan for ongoing use
  • Its positioning emphasizes IAM breadth over narrowly focused OAuth server capabilities
Our verdict

authentik is a self-hosted identity provider and single sign-on platform for site administrators, application developers, and security engineers. Its free open-source edition supports OAuth2/OpenID Connect, SAML, LDAP, SCIM, RADIUS,…

Read the review →

IBM Verify is a cloud-based identity and access management platform for workforce and customer identities. It is designed for organizations managing authentication and access across web, mobile and hybrid enterprise environments. Its scope…

Read the review →
  1. authentikOAuth Server Software 8.1Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual)
  2. IBM VerifyOAuth Server Software 5.1Pricing on request · 90-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • authentik — where it wins

    • Free open-source tier covers major identity and directory protocols
    • MFA, adaptive policies, provisioning, and application proxying
    • Enterprise adds PAM, audit logging, and scheduled offboarding

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment is self-hosted rather than hosted by the vendor
    • Advanced enterprise capabilities require paid plans
    • Enterprise Plus uses custom contracts and dedicated support
  • IBM Verify — where it wins

    • Adaptive, risk-based access policies with passwordless FIDO2 authentication
    • SSO, lifecycle provisioning and centralized application management
    • REST APIs and support for OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0 and SCIM 2.0

    Where it doesn't

    • Production pricing requires contacting sales or using an estimator
    • There is no free plan for ongoing use
    • Its positioning emphasizes IAM breadth over narrowly focused OAuth server capabilities
  • authentik8.1/10 · Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual)

    A broad, self-hosted identity stack for teams that need open-source control.

    Visit authentikFull verdict →
  • IBM Verify5.1/10 · Pricing on request · 90-day trial

    A broad enterprise IAM platform with strong MFA and access controls, but sales-led pricing.

    Visit IBM VerifyFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update