Gluu Server
Gluu Server: A broad, free IAM platform for Linux teams comfortable operating self-hosted infrastructure. Ranked #33 of 44 in Identity and Access Management Software by our editors (5.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux self-hosted open-source federation.
At a glance
- Editor score5.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux self-hosted open-source federation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- MFA methodsFIDO 2.0, FIDO U2F, Super Gluu, OTP apps, SMS OTP, Duo Security, certificate authentication
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open-source with broad federation protocol support
- Supports FIDO, OTP, SMS, Duo and certificate-based MFA
- Includes LDAP/AD sync, SCIM provisioning and UMA access management
Where it doesn't
- Requires Linux and self-hosted deployment
- Operational scope may exceed the needs of smaller teams
- No published per-user paid plan for straightforward cost comparison
Our verdict on Gluu Server
Gluu Server is a self-hosted, open-source identity and access management platform for organizations running web and mobile applications on Linux. It combines single sign-on, identity federation, multi-factor authentication, directory integration, user provisioning and API access management. Protocol coverage includes OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0 and CAS, giving teams a broad foundation for connecting applications, directories and external identity providers.
Its strongest fit is an environment that needs control over both authentication and authorization. Gluu Server supports FIDO 2.0, FIDO U2F, Super Gluu, OTP apps, SMS OTP, Duo Security and certificate authentication. LDAP and Active Directory synchronization support directory-based identity operations, while SCIM provides user management and provisioning APIs. UMA 2.0 adds resource access management, and custom authentication interception scripts allow authentication flows to be tailored. Integrations span Microsoft 365, Google Apps, Salesforce, Dropbox, GitHub Enterprise, Amazon Web Services, Rocket.Chat and OnlyOffice, alongside LDAP, Active Directory, SAML, OpenID Connect and OAuth systems.
The trade-off is operational focus: Gluu Server is designed for Linux and self-hosted deployments, with components including oxAuth, oxTrust, LDAP and Shibboleth, plus documented package and container deployment options. That makes it a better choice for teams with infrastructure ownership and identity expertise than for buyers seeking a managed IAM service with a simpler rollout. It is also a narrower fit for organizations prioritizing adaptive access or AI features. Choose Gluu Server for open-source federation, protocol breadth and directory integration; choose an alternative when managed delivery or a simpler general-purpose access model matters more.
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Gluu Server pricing
Gluu Server fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| SSO protocols | OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, CAS |
| MFA methods | FIDO 2.0, FIDO U2F, Super Gluu, OTP apps, SMS OTP, Duo Security, certificate authentication |
| Directory sync | Yes |
| Lifecycle provisioning | Yes |
| Adaptive access policies | Yes |
| Included users | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Integrations | 13 integrations: Active Directory, LDAP, SAML identity providers, OpenID Connect providers, OAuth authorization servers, Google Apps … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | gluu.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Gluu Server integrations
Gluu Server lists 13 integrations on its own site.
- Active Directory
- LDAP
- SAML identity providers
- OpenID Connect providers
- OAuth authorization servers
- Google Apps
- Microsoft 365
- Salesforce
- Dropbox
- GitHub Enterprise
- Amazon Web Services
- Rocket.Chat
- OnlyOffice
Alternatives to Gluu Server
- 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 Gluu Server alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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