Azure Multi-Factor Authentication vs ORY Hydra: What are the differences?

Introduction

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and ORY Hydra are two different authentication solutions commonly used in the industry. Despite having similar goals, they have some key differences that set them apart. Below are the key differences between Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and ORY Hydra.

1. Purpose and Scope:

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication focuses on providing an extra layer of security for user logins by requiring additional verification steps, such as SMS codes or biometric data. In contrast, ORY Hydra is an OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect provider that specializes in centralized authentication and authorization processes for APIs and web services.

2. Integration Flexibility:

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is tightly integrated with Microsoft services, such as Azure Active Directory, making it a seamless choice for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. On the other hand, ORY Hydra offers more flexibility in integration with various third-party identity providers and authentication services, making it a more versatile option for diverse environments.

3. Customization Options:

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication offers a set of predefined authentication methods and policies that organizations can choose from. In comparison, ORY Hydra allows for extensive customization through plugins, APIs, and configuration options, enabling organizations to tailor the authentication flow to their specific needs effectively.

4. Scalability and Performance:

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft, ensuring high uptime, scalability, and performance backed by Azure's infrastructure. On the other hand, ORY Hydra can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, giving organizations more control over their infrastructure but potentially requiring additional resources for maintenance and scalability.

5. Licensing and Costs:

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is typically included in Microsoft's enterprise licensing agreements or available as a standalone service with subscription-based pricing. ORY Hydra is an open-source project with no licensing costs, making it a cost-effective option for organizations looking to reduce their authentication infrastructure expenses.

6. Extensibility and Community Support:

ORY Hydra has a growing community of developers and contributors that continuously enhance the platform with new features, improvements, and integrations. In contrast, while Azure Multi-Factor Authentication benefits from Microsoft's resources and expertise, its extensibility may be limited to Microsoft's ecosystem and roadmap.

In Summary, the key differences between Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and ORY Hydra lie in their focus, integration flexibility, customization options, scalability and performance, licensing and costs, and extensibility and community support.