1. Authentication and Authorization: ORY Hydra is a powerful OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect server that enables secure authentication and authorization, whereas WorkOS is a set of APIs and SDKs that help developers integrate SSO, user provisioning, and directory sync into their applications. While both provide authentication and authorization capabilities, ORY Hydra is more focused on being a comprehensive identity provider, while WorkOS offers a range of features beyond just authentication and authorization, including user provisioning and directory sync.
2. Customizability and Extensibility: ORY Hydra offers extensive customizability and extensibility options, allowing developers to tailor the authentication and authorization process to their specific needs. It provides a modular architecture that allows for the integration of custom authentication and authorization methods. On the other hand, WorkOS offers a more opinionated approach with less flexibility for customization. It provides pre-built solutions for common authentication and authorization scenarios, which may be sufficient for many applications but less adaptable to unique requirements.
3. Integrations and ecosystem: ORY Hydra has a vast ecosystem and supports a wide range of integrations, making it a popular choice for developers. It integrates seamlessly with other ORY projects, such as ORY Oathkeeper for API authorization, ORY Keto for access control policies, and ORY Kratos for user management functionalities. WorkOS, on the other hand, focuses on specific integrations with popular identity providers like Google and Microsoft, as well as enterprise directory services like Okta and Azure AD. It provides a streamlined experience for integrating with these services but may have limited options for other integrations.
4. Deployment options: ORY Hydra can be deployed as a self-hosted solution, giving developers full control and ownership over the infrastructure. It can be installed on-premises or in private cloud environments, providing greater flexibility and security for organizations with stricter compliance requirements. In contrast, WorkOS is a cloud-based service that handles the infrastructure and hosting for developers, simplifying the deployment process but also limiting the control and customization options available.
5. Pricing model: ORY Hydra is an open-source project and is available for free under the Apache 2.0 license. However, organizations may still incur costs for infrastructure, maintenance, and support. WorkOS, on the other hand, follows a subscription-based pricing model, with different tiers based on the number of users, providing a predictable cost structure for organizations. The pricing model of WorkOS includes both the authentication and authorization features, as well as additional features like SSO and user provisioning.
6. Developer support and community: ORY Hydra has a large and active developer community, with extensive documentation, forums, and community-driven support. It benefits from contributions and feedback from a wide range of developers, making it a highly reliable and well-maintained project. WorkOS provides dedicated technical support for its customers, ensuring timely assistance in case of any issues or questions. It also offers a knowledge base and resources specific to its APIs and functionalities.

In summary, ORY Hydra and WorkOS differ in terms of their focus on authentication and authorization, customizability, integrations, deployment options, pricing model, and developer support. ORY Hydra provides a more comprehensive and customizable solution for identity management, while WorkOS offers a streamlined experience with a focus on popular integrations and pre-built solutions.