Best Ory Kratos Alternatives in 2026
The top Ory Kratos alternatives are Okta Workforce Identity, Google Cloud Identity and Keycloak: 15 authentication software our editors would look at instead of Ory Kratos, in our ranking order.
Ory Kratos: Flexible, API-first authentication for application teams willing to own the user experience. Where it falls short: the headless model leaves teams to build their own authentication UI.
Switching from Ory Kratos? For most authentication software buyers the best Ory Kratos alternative is Okta Workforce Identity, built for workforces needing broad identity governance. On a budget, Amazon Cognito starts at $0.0055/user/mo. Google Cloud Identity has a free plan.
Why People Look for an Ory Kratos Alternative
- The headless model leaves teams to build their own authentication UI
- Production starts at $770/year, billed annually, before usage-based charges
- Growth-tier B2B SSO is limited to OIDC
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallOkta Workforce Identity9.3
Workforces needing broad identity governance
Visit Okta Workforce Identity - Lowest priceAmazon Cognito8.9
Paid plans from $0.0055/user/mo
Visit Amazon Cognito - Best free optionGoogle Cloud Identity9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Google Cloud Identity
All 15 Ory Kratos Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forWorkforces needing broad identity governance
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 6.0
A broad workforce identity suite, with core SSO and MFA starting at $6 per user/month annually.
- Directory sync
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Okta -
Best forOrganizations standardized on Google identity
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.0
A Google-centered identity service with free core controls and paid adaptive security.
- Directory sync
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Google Cloud -
Best forTeams wanting self-hosted, open-source identity
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.0
A self-hosted, open-source identity server with broad protocol and MFA support.
- Directory sync
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Keycloak -
Best forApplications built around AWS authentication
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.0
A developer-focused authentication service with AWS credentials, federation, and usage-based pricing.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Cognito -
Best forTeams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.0
Passwordless MFA and SSO with device verification, from $3 per user per month.
- Directory sync
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco Duo -
Best forMid-market and enterprise identity teams
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.0
A broad identity suite for organizations managing workforce and customer access across apps.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Verify -
Best forHybrid enterprises needing broad access controls
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.0
Broad authentication controls for hybrid enterprises, with capabilities varying by paid tier.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit RSA ID Plus -
Best forWorkforces needing adaptive SSO and provisioning
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.0
Adaptive SSO, MFA, passwordless access, and provisioning for workforce and customer identities.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PingOne -
Best forTeams seeking open-source enterprise identity
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.0
Open-source IAM with enterprise protocols, adaptive access, and self-hosted control.
- Directory sync
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit WSO2 -
Best forSelf-hosters needing flexible access policies
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.0
Flexible self-hosted identity and access control, with Enterprise features from $5 per user monthly.
- Directory sync
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit authentik -
Best forOrganizations needing passwordless workforce access
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.0
A workforce identity product pairing passwordless sign-in with federation and lifecycle management.
- Passkey sign-in
- Directory sync
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OneLogin -
Best forSaaS teams embedding tenant identity features
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.0
Embedded customer identity for SaaS teams, with enterprise access controls and a free entry plan.
- Directory sync
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Frontegg -
Best forTeams embedding organizational authentication
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.0
Stytch gives product teams organization-ready authentication APIs with a free starting tier.
- Directory sync
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Stytch -
Best forDevelopers wanting ready-made sign-in components
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.0
Clerk pairs prebuilt sign-in components with identity, organization, and access-management features.
- Directory sync
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Clerk -
Best forTeams needing open-source multi-tenant identity
- Better than Ory Kratos:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.0
A flexible identity platform for teams building multi-tenant apps, with cloud and self-hosted options.
- Directory sync
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ZITADEL
Ory Kratos Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Ory Kratos?
Okta Workforce Identity: #1 in our Authentication Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad workforce identity suite, with core SSO and MFA starting at $6 per user/month annually.
Is there a free alternative to Ory Kratos?
Yes. Google Cloud Identity, Keycloak, Amazon Cognito, Cisco Duo Passwordless and WSO2 Identity Server have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Ory Kratos?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Amazon Cognito starts lowest, at $0.0055/user/mo.
Why do people look for Ory Kratos alternatives?
The headless model leaves teams to build their own authentication UI; Production starts at $770/year, billed annually, before usage-based charges; Growth-tier B2B SSO is limited to OIDC.
How do I switch from Ory Kratos?
Export your data from Ory Kratos (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ory Kratos.
How to Switch from Ory Kratos
- Export your data from Ory Kratos (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ory Kratos.
Ory Kratos vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Ory Kratos | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 1 | Okta Workforce Identity | No | $6/user/mo | 9.3 |
| 2 | Google Cloud Identity | Yes | $6/user/mo | 9.1 |
| 3 | Keycloak | Free | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Amazon Cognito | Yes | $0.0055/user/mo | 8.9 |
| 5 | Cisco Duo Passwordless | Yes | $3/user/mo | 8.7 |
| 6 | IBM Verify | No | 8.5 | |
| 7 | RSA ID Plus | No | 8.3 | |
| 8 | PingOne | No | $3/user/mo | 8.2 |
| 9 | WSO2 Identity Server | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 10 | authentik | Yes | $5/user/mo | 8.0 |
| 11 | OneLogin Passwordless Authentication | No | 7.9 | |
| 12 | Frontegg | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 13 | Stytch | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 14 | Clerk | Yes | $20/mo | 7.6 |
| 15 | ZITADEL | Yes | $100/mo | 7.5 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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