Apache Syncope
Apache Syncope: A broad, self-hosted IAM platform for teams managing complex identity environments. Ranked #8 of 44 in Identity and Access Management Software by our editors (8.6/10); pricing: Open source; best for open-source identity provisioning and federation.
At a glance
- Editor score8.6 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forOpen-source identity provisioning and federation
- Paid fromFree
- MFA methodsTOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, FIDO2 WebAuthn (Passkey)
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Inbound, outbound, pull, push, and live-sync provisioning
- SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, and CAS support
- Delegated administration, workflows, multitenancy, and MFA
Where it doesn't
- The broad scope may exceed the needs of smaller deployments
- Self-hosted operation requires infrastructure managed by the organization
- Connector-based integrations can add planning and administration effort
Our verdict on Apache Syncope
Apache Syncope is an open-source identity and access management platform for enterprise environments. It manages users, groups, and custom identity objects while supporting authentication, authorization, provisioning, synchronization, workflows, administration, and self-service. The platform is available through web and API interfaces, with self-hosted deployment, making it a fit for organizations that want control over identity infrastructure and its operating model.
Its strongest advantage is breadth across identity lifecycle management and federation. Inbound, outbound, pull, push, and live-sync provisioning connect identity data with external repositories through connectors. Listed integrations include LDAP, Active Directory, REST, SOAP, CSV, PowerShell, Apache Kafka, Azure, Google Apps, and Okta. SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, and CAS cover key access-management protocols, while MFA support includes TOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, and FIDO2 WebAuthn. These capabilities suit environments that need identity synchronization alongside application access.
Administration and organizational structure are another important focus. A web administration console includes delegated administration, while end users receive self-registration, self-service, and password-reset capabilities. Pluggable workflows and multitenant domains support differentiated processes and organizational boundaries, and the RESTful API provides a programmatic management path. The tradeoff is scope: smaller teams seeking only basic sign-on or directory management may find Syncope broader than necessary. Organizations choosing it should be prepared to manage a self-hosted platform, connectors, workflows, and integrations; teams wanting a narrower identity tool should consider a more focused alternative.
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Apache Syncope pricing
Apache Syncope fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| SSO protocols | OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, CAS |
| MFA methods | TOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, FIDO2 WebAuthn (Passkey) |
| Directory sync | Yes |
| Lifecycle provisioning | Yes |
| Adaptive access policies | Not verified |
| Included users | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Integrations | 10 integrations: LDAP, Active Directory, REST, SOAP, CSV, PowerShell … |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | syncope.apache.org |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
Apache Syncope integrations
Apache Syncope lists 10 integrations on its own site.
- LDAP
- Active Directory
- REST
- SOAP
- CSV
- PowerShell
- Apache Kafka
- Azure
- Google Apps
- Okta
Alternatives to Apache Syncope
- Okta Workforce IdentityA broad workforce IAM suite for organizations with mature identity requirements.9.4
- Google Cloud IdentityA capable IAM choice for Google-centric teams that need MFA, SSO, and lifecycle controls.9.2
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Identity and Access ManagementA low-cost IAM option for OCI access, external users, and connected applications.9.1
See all Apache Syncope alternatives →
Apache Syncope vs the competition
- Apache Syncope vs Okta Workforce Identity
- Apache Syncope vs Google Cloud Identity
- Apache Syncope vs Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Identity and Access Management
- Apache Syncope vs Keycloak
- Apache Syncope vs AWS IAM Identity Center
- Apache Syncope vs Amazon Cognito
Compare Apache Syncope with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Apache Syncope is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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