Keycloak vs WSO2 Identity Server: What are the differences?
Introduction
Keycloak and WSO2 Identity Server are both popular open-source identity and access management (IAM) solutions. While they serve a similar purpose of managing user identities and enforcing security policies, they have some key differences. In this article, we will explore these differences in detail.
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Token Support: Keycloak supports a wide range of authentication tokens, including OAuth, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and SAML. It also provides support for custom token types. On the other hand, WSO2 Identity Server primarily focuses on OAuth and OIDC, with limited support for SAML.
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Integration Capabilities: Keycloak offers out-of-the-box integration with various third-party services and platforms, such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Apache Kafka. It also provides a comprehensive REST API for seamless integration with other applications. WSO2 Identity Server, on the other hand, provides integration with enterprise systems like Active Directory, LDAP, and databases, making it a preferred choice for organizations with existing infrastructure.
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Scalability and High Availability: Both Keycloak and WSO2 Identity Server support clustering and horizontal scaling for high availability. However, Keycloak's architecture is designed to handle larger-scale deployments with its lightweight and distributed nature, making it more suitable for highly scalable environments.
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User-Friendly Interface: Keycloak emphasizes a modern, user-friendly interface with a streamlined user experience. It provides a visually appealing and intuitive management console, making it easier for administrators and developers to configure and manage IAM services. WSO2 Identity Server, while functional, may have a steeper learning curve and a more complex interface.
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Extensibility: Keycloak provides a robust extension model, allowing developers to add custom functionality and integrate with existing systems. It offers a wide range of plugins and extensions, facilitating easy customization and extension of core functionality. WSO2 Identity Server also supports extension points and provides a plugin architecture, but it may require more development effort compared to Keycloak.
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Community and Support: Keycloak has a vibrant community and active user base, which results in frequent updates and releases. It also has extensive documentation and various community-driven resources available, making it easier to find help and troubleshoot issues. WSO2 Identity Server also has a supportive community, but it may have a smaller user base compared to Keycloak.
In summary, Keycloak offers extensive token support, out-of-the-box integrations, scalability, user-friendliness, extensibility, and a vibrant community, making it a well-rounded IAM solution for modern environments. WSO2 Identity Server, on the other hand, focuses on enterprise integrations, clustering, and provides a more robust interface for organizations with existing infrastructure and specific requirements.
