Keycloak vs Azure Active Directory: What are the differences?

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Keycloak are identity and access management solutions that provide authentication, authorization, and user management capabilities. Let's explore the key differences between them:

1. Deployment Model: Azure Active Directory is a cloud-based identity and access management service provided by Microsoft. It is tightly integrated with other Microsoft Azure services and is designed to be used within the Azure ecosystem. On the other hand, Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution that can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. Keycloak provides flexibility in deployment options and can be installed and managed by organizations independently.

2. Integration with Ecosystem: Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) integrates closely with Microsoft's ecosystem, encompassing Azure services, Office 365, and Microsoft 365. It ensures smooth integration with Microsoft applications, enabling single sign-on (SSO) and centralized user management. On the other hand, Keycloak, an open-source solution, supports diverse platforms and frameworks by leveraging widely adopted standards like SAML, OpenID Connect, and OAuth2. It offers the flexibility to integrate with various applications and systems.

3. Feature Set: Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) provides a wide range of features for identity and access management, including user authentication, multi-factor authentication, conditional access policies, RBAC, and federation with external identity providers. It also offers device and application management functionalities. Keycloak, an open-source solution, offers similar authentication and authorization capabilities, supporting protocols like SAML, OpenID Connect, and OAuth2. It includes features such as user federation, SSO, and granular access control.

4. Enterprise Capabilities: Azure Active Directory is designed to cater to the needs of enterprises, providing features like advanced security and compliance controls. It offers features such as identity protection, privileged identity management, and security monitoring. Azure AD also provides integration options with Azure AD B2C, which is designed specifically for customer-facing applications. Keycloak, being an open-source solution, may not have the same level of enterprise-focused features out-of-the-box. However, it can be extended and customized to meet specific enterprise requirements.

5. Scalability and Performance: Azure Active Directory is a managed service provided by Microsoft, which ensures scalability and high-performance. It is designed to handle millions of users and supports high availability and load balancing. Keycloak, as an open-source solution, can also scale based on the deployment choices made by organizations. It can be deployed in a distributed manner to handle large user bases and high loads, but organizations need to manage the scalability and performance aspects themselves.

In summary, Azure Active Directory is a cloud-based identity and access management service tightly integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem. It provides comprehensive features, enterprise capabilities, and scalability within the Azure environment. Keycloak, on the other hand, is an open-source identity and access management solution that offers flexibility in deployment options and integration with various platforms. It provides similar authentication and authorization capabilities but requires organizations to manage the infrastructure and customization aspects.