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privacyIDEA

Free#14 of 54 in Multi-Factor Authentication SoftwareMulti-Factor Authentication APIs

privacyIDEA: A broad, auditable MFA server for organizations comfortable operating Linux infrastructure. Ranked #14 of 54 in Multi-Factor Authentication Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open-source self-hosted token management.

7.9/10Editor score
Visit privacyIDEA
privacyIDEA7.9 Visit privacyIDEA

At a glance

  • Editor score
    7.9 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Open-source self-hosted token management
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Adaptive access policies
    No
  • Facts checked
    23 Sep 2026
privacyIDEA screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Supports passkeys, WebAuthn, hardware, software, and remote tokens
    • Connects through REST, RADIUS, PAM, SAML plugins, and application plugins
    • Provides policy controls and tamper-protected, digitally signed audit logs

  • Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted Linux deployment requires organizational infrastructure and administration
    • Its broad integration model may require configuration across multiple plugins
    • Commercial enterprise releases and support involve a separate vendor offering

Our verdict on privacyIDEA

privacyIDEA is an open-source, self-hosted multi-factor authentication server from NetKnights GmbH. It is designed for organizations securing applications, VPNs, SSH, local logins, web portals, and identity providers while centrally managing tokens, users, enrollment, policies, self-service, and audit records. The platform runs on Linux, is licensed under AGPLv3, and supports factors ranging from passkeys and WebAuthn to HOTP, TOTP, push, email OTP, SMS OTP, YubiKey, NitroKey, X.509 certificates, SSH public keys, and RADIUS. It is a strong fit for teams that want control over deployment and token administration rather than a hosted MFA service.

Integration breadth is a major reason to consider privacyIDEA. Its REST API uses JWT authentication, while RADIUS integration is available through the FreeRADIUS plugin. Other connection methods include SAML plugins, PAM, Windows Credential Provider, application plugins, Apache2, NGINX, and OpenVPN. Supported user sources include LDAP, Active Directory, SQL, flat files, and SCIM. Named integrations cover Keycloak, Microsoft ADFS, Shibboleth, SimpleSAMLphp, Nextcloud, ownCloud, WordPress, TYPO3, and Django. This makes the product suitable for mixed identity, infrastructure, and application environments, although the self-hosted model places deployment and ongoing administration with the organization.

Control and auditability are central to the product. Policy-based authentication, authorization, enrollment, and auditing are paired with event-driven notifications, logging, custom scripts, machine and application access rules for offline authentication, and tamper-protected audit entries with digital signatures. These capabilities suit organizations that need detailed governance around authentication events and token lifecycle management. Choose privacyIDEA when open-source deployment, extensive factor support, and integration flexibility matter most. Organizations seeking a managed service with minimal infrastructure responsibility should consider a different approach. NetKnights also offers commercial enterprise releases and support for organizations that need vendor-backed options.

Your product? Our editors can test privacyIDEA in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

privacyIDEA pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on privacyidea.org

privacyIDEA fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromFree
DeploymentSelf_hosted
Supported factorsPasskeys/WebAuthn, push, HOTP/TOTP, mOTP, TAN lists, email, SMS, TiQR, U2F, YubiKey, Nitrokey, questionnaire, Four Eyes, registration, temporary password, X.509 certificate, SSH public key, RADIUS and remote tokens
App integration methodsREST API (JWT), RADIUS, plugins (including PAM and Windows Credential Provider), identity-provider integrations
Adaptive access policiesNo
Passwordless authenticationYes
Device trust controlsNo
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux, Web, iOS, Android
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSmall business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations17 integrations: Keycloak, Microsoft ADFS, simpleSAMLphp, FreeRADIUS, PAM, Apache2 … See all →
PricingFree plan
Websiteprivacyidea.org
Facts checked23 Sep 2026

privacyIDEA integrations

privacyIDEA lists 17 integrations on its own site.

  • Keycloak
  • Microsoft ADFS
  • simpleSAMLphp
  • FreeRADIUS
  • PAM
  • Apache2
  • NGINX
  • OpenVPN
  • ownCloud
  • Nextcloud
  • OTRS
  • Django
  • WordPress
  • TYPO3
  • Contao
  • DokuWiki
  • Zimbra

See all privacyIDEA integrations →

Alternatives to privacyIDEA

See all privacyIDEA alternatives →

Also Ranked In

privacyIDEA is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — privacyIDEA 7.9/10

privacyIDEA is listed in our Multi-Factor Authentication Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/privacyidea/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/privacyidea.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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