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Head-to-head · Passkey Authentication Software

Keycloak vs Descope

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Keycloak #1 in Passkey Authentication Software 9.3/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Keycloak
Descope #4 in Passkey Authentication Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Descope

Keycloak leads on 0 checks, Descope on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKeycloak · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Descope

Keycloak scores higher on our rubric for passkey authentication software: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Keycloak is the better fit for teams wanting established self-hosted IAM. Descope is the better fit for large teams needing complete identity orchestration.

  • Keycloak fits best

    Teams wanting established self-hosted IAM

  • Descope fits best

    Large teams needing complete identity orchestration

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Side by side

Feature Keycloak 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Descope 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #1 in Passkey Authentication Software #4 in Passkey Authentication Software
Best for Teams wanting established self-hosted IAM Large teams needing complete identity orchestration
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Open source $249/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 10 integrations 10 integrations
Features Keycloak 1/4 · Descope 1/4
Mobile SDKs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workforce authentication Not checked yet Not checked yet
Directory sync ✓ ✓
Authentication policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Passkey types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included monthly users Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • WebAuthn passkeys alongside TOTP, HOTP, and recovery codes
  • SSO, federation, LDAP, Active Directory, and social login support
  • Fine-grained authorization with OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML
  • Passkeys, MFA, SSO, SCIM, and adaptive authentication in one platform
  • Visual flow builder plus user, tenant, role, and permission management
  • Web, iOS, Android, API access with major identity and business connectors
Cons
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and server management
  • SCIM support is preview functionality and disabled by default
  • Broad IAM scope can require more setup than a focused passkey service
  • Pro and Growth pricing is billed annually
  • Free Forever is limited to 7,500 monthly active users and 10 tenants
  • Advanced enterprise capabilities require custom pricing
Our verdict

Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management server for securing web applications, REST services, and other applications. It is suited to teams that want passkey authentication within a broader IAM system, including single…

Read the review →

Descope is a customer identity and access management platform for developers building B2C and B2B applications. It brings together passwordless authentication with passkeys, magic links, and OTP; MFA and step-up authentication; SSO; tenant…

Read the review →
  1. KeycloakPasskey Authentication Software 9.3Open source
  2. DescopePasskey Authentication Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Keycloak — where it wins

    • WebAuthn passkeys alongside TOTP, HOTP, and recovery codes
    • SSO, federation, LDAP, Active Directory, and social login support
    • Fine-grained authorization with OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted deployment and server management
    • SCIM support is preview functionality and disabled by default
    • Broad IAM scope can require more setup than a focused passkey service

  • Descope — where it wins

    • Passkeys, MFA, SSO, SCIM, and adaptive authentication in one platform
    • Visual flow builder plus user, tenant, role, and permission management
    • Web, iOS, Android, API access with major identity and business connectors

    Where it doesn't

    • Pro and Growth pricing is billed annually
    • Free Forever is limited to 7,500 monthly active users and 10 tenants
    • Advanced enterprise capabilities require custom pricing

More comparisons

All passkey authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update