Authentik vs Zitadel
Self-host pick — both replace Auth0 (Identity / SSO / authentication-as-a-service).
Both Authentik and Zitadel self-host as a replacement for Auth0 (Identity / SSO / authentication-as-a-service). Pick Authentik if you want the lighter footprint — 15min docker-compose, $10 vps — python + postgres + redis stack. Pick Zitadel if you need multi-tenant SaaS that wants per-tenant orgs as a first-class concept — 20min docker-compose and $10-15 vps — go binary + cockroachdb or postgres.
| Authentikopen-source | Zitadelopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Setup time | 15min docker-compose | 20min docker-compose |
| Monthly cost | $10 VPS — Python + Postgres + Redis stack. | $10-15 VPS — Go binary + CockroachDB or Postgres. |
| GitHub | goauthentik/authentik | zitadel/zitadel |
| Replaces | Auth0 | Auth0 |
Good fit for
Authentik
Modern apps that want OIDC + SAML with a clean web UI and a less heavyweight runtime than Keycloak.
Weak at:Smaller community than Keycloak; fewer pre-built SAML integrations to enterprise IDPs.
Zitadel
Multi-tenant SaaS that wants per-tenant orgs as a first-class concept.
Weak at:Younger ecosystem; fewer tutorial articles than Keycloak.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli auth0 prints Auth0's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Authentik or Zitadel?
Authentik: 15min docker-compose. Zitadel: 20min docker-compose.
What does each cost to run?
Authentik: $10 VPS — Python + Postgres + Redis stack.. Zitadel: $10-15 VPS — Go binary + CockroachDB or Postgres.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Authentik and Zitadel replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Auth0.