Keycloak vs LDAP: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this markdown, we will discuss the key differences between Keycloak and LDAP. Keycloak is an open-source software product that provides single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, while LDAP is a protocol used for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services.

1. Architecture: Keycloak follows a client-server architecture, where the server handles authentication, authorization, and user management. On the other hand, LDAP is a protocol that can be implemented by various directory servers, such as Microsoft Active Directory or OpenLDAP.

2. User Management: Keycloak provides a user-friendly administrative console and REST APIs to manage users, roles, and permissions. It also supports features like self-registration and social logins. In contrast, LDAP requires administrators to have technical knowledge to manage users and groups using the LDAP directory server's administrative interface.

3. Integration: Keycloak can integrate with various identity providers like Google, Facebook, or Active Directory, making it easier to use existing identity sources. LDAP, on the other hand, is a standalone protocol and does not have built-in support for integrating with external identity providers.

4. Standard Compliance: Keycloak supports modern authentication protocols such as OpenID Connect and SAML. It is also compliant with security standards like OAuth 2.0 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). LDAP, on the other hand, is an older protocol that does not have native support for these modern authentication standards.

5. Scalability and High Availability: Keycloak can be deployed in a cluster to provide high availability and scalability. It uses a distributed cache to share session state across the cluster. LDAP, on the other hand, may require additional configuration and setup to achieve high availability and scalability.

6. Ease of Use: Keycloak provides a user-friendly interface for managing users, roles, and permissions. It also provides a comprehensive documentation that makes it easier for developers and administrators to understand and work with the system. LDAP, on the other hand, requires technical knowledge and may have a steeper learning curve.

In Summary, Keycloak provides a user-friendly, scalable, and standards-compliant solution for single sign-on, while LDAP is a protocol used for directory access and lacks some of the modern features and ease of use provided by Keycloak.