Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Amazon Cognito

PocketBase is a compact open-source backend written in Go that provides an embedded SQLite database, realtime subscriptions, user authentication, file storage and a built-in admin dashboard. It can be used as a standalone single-file executable or as an embeddable Go library for custom apps. (github.com)

Key Features

• Embedded SQLite database with schema builder, validations and realtime change subscriptions (Server-Sent Events). (github.com)
• Authentication and authorization: email/password, token-based (JWT) auth, OAuth2 provider integrations and auth token refresh/management. (pocketbase.io)
• File storage with local or S3-compatible backends, file uploads attached to records and automatic thumbnail generation. (pocketbase.io)
• Built-in Admin dashboard UI for managing collections, records, files and users; extendable via Go hooks and an embedded JavaScript VM. (github.com)
• REST-style JSON APIs plus official SDKs (JavaScript, Dart) for quick client integration and realtime subscribe/unsubscribe helpers. (github.com)
• Small footprint single binary distribution with cross-platform prebuilt executables and example starter projects. (pocketbase.io)

Use Cases

• Prototyping and internal tools where a minimal backend (DB + auth + file storage + admin UI) is needed quickly.
• Client-driven web or mobile apps (SPAs, PWAs, React/Flutter apps) that need realtime updates and a simple REST API.
• Lightweight CMS-like applications, admin dashboards and hobby/side projects requiring a portable backend.

Limitations and Considerations

• Single-server architecture with an embedded SQLite store; no built-in sharding or multi-node clustering, so horizontal scaling is limited. (github.com)
• Realtime uses SSE (unidirectional) rather than WebSockets; reverse proxy configuration must support long-lived HTTP streams. (pocketbase.io)
• Project is under active development and the maintainers note potential breaking changes before a stable v1.0; review changelogs and migration notes for production upgrades. (github.com)
• Offline-first sync is not provided out-of-the-box; client-side handling is required for offline scenarios. (github.com)

PocketBase offers a pragmatic, compact backend for many web and mobile workflows where simplicity, portability and realtime updates matter. It is especially suited for prototypes, internal apps and small production services that accept the single-server SQLite tradeoffs.

Keycloak is an open-source Identity and Access Management (IAM) server for modern applications and services. It centralizes authentication and authorization so applications can rely on standards-based SSO instead of implementing login, user storage, and session management.

Key Features

• Single sign-on and single sign-out across multiple applications
• Support for standard protocols: OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML 2.0
• Identity brokering and social login via configurable identity providers
• User federation with LDAP and Active Directory, with extensible provider support
• Admin console for managing realms, clients, users, roles, sessions, and policies
• Account management console for end users (profile, password changes, session management, and 2FA)
• Fine-grained authorization services for policy-based access control

Use Cases

• Centralized SSO for internal apps, APIs, and microservices
• Replacing custom authentication with standards-based identity and token issuance
• Integrating enterprise directories (LDAP/AD) and external identity providers into one login flow

Limitations and Considerations

• Operating securely at scale requires careful configuration of realms, clients, token lifetimes, and session settings
• Some advanced deployments may require external databases and clustering planning for high availability

Keycloak is widely used as a central identity provider to standardize authentication and access control across heterogeneous systems. It reduces application complexity while enabling consistent security policies and user management in one place.

Authelia is an open-source authentication and authorization server that provides identity and access management (IAM) for web applications. It commonly sits behind a reverse proxy to enforce single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and fine-grained access policies.

Key Features

• OpenID Connect 1.0 provider (OpenID Certified) with OAuth 2.0 support for SSO integrations
• Reverse-proxy companion mode to allow, deny, or redirect requests based on authentication state
• Multiple MFA methods including TOTP and WebAuthn/FIDO2 security keys
• Granular authorization policies based on users, groups, domains, and resources
• Brute-force protection and login regulation/lockout controls
• Password reset flows (including LDAP or internal users) with email validation
• High availability-oriented design suitable for running multiple instances

Use Cases

• Protect internal tools and self-hosted apps behind a reverse proxy with SSO and MFA
• Provide an OIDC identity layer for applications that support OAuth2/OIDC login
• Enforce access control policies for different user groups across multiple domains

Authelia is a lightweight, security-focused IAM component that can centralize authentication and authorization for many web applications. It is particularly well-suited for homelabs and organizations that want modern SSO and MFA without adopting a full enterprise directory suite.

authentik is an open-source Identity Provider designed for modern single sign-on and authentication workflows. It provides protocol support and configurable authentication flows to secure web, API, and remote-access use cases.

Key Features

• Supports standard identity protocols: OAuth2 / OIDC, SAML2, LDAP, RADIUS, SCIM and Kerberos for broad application compatibility
• Flexible multi-stage authentication flows, policy engine, and enrollment flows for MFA and conditional access (GeoIP, impossible-travel checks)
• MFA and modern second-factor support including TOTP and WebAuthn (passkeys)
• Application proxy / outpost model for protecting internal apps and enabling remote access (RDP, SSH, VNC) behind the IdP
• Rich admin, user, and flow interfaces plus REST APIs and SDKs for automation and integration
• Pluggable federation and social login sources, fine-grained policies, and templates for customizing login and enrollment behavior
• Deployment options and tooling for Docker Compose, Kubernetes (Helm), and cloud templates; background workers and channel layers for scale
• Caching and async task support via Redis; persistent storage and migrations for relational databases

Use Cases

• Enterprise replacement or augmentation of commercial IdPs to provide SSO, delegated access, and centralized authentication for web and API applications
• Protecting internal or home-lab applications using the outpost/application-proxy model to enforce authentication and authorization policies
• Integrating existing LDAP/AD directories and provisioning flows (SCIM) to enable consolidated identity management and MFA across services

Limitations and Considerations

• Some legacy native desktop or mobile clients that embed outdated browser engines may not support the full web-based login flow; a simplified flow executor (SFE) or alternate API-key approach may be required for such clients
• Major-version upgrades can require careful attention to migrations and worker restarts; administrators should test upgrades in staging before production rollouts

authentik provides a comprehensive, protocol-rich IdP with configurable flows and deployment flexibility. It is suited for organizations that need a self-hosted, extensible SSO solution with enterprise-grade features and automation capabilities.

Casdoor is an open-source, UI-first Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Single Sign-On (SSO) platform that provides a web-based admin console for managing users, organizations, and authentication flows. It is designed to integrate with applications via standard identity protocols and offers extensible user authentication options.

Key Features

• Web UI for user, organization, application and permission management
• SSO and federation support via OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and SAML 2.0
• Directory and provisioning integrations including LDAP and SCIM
• Multiple authentication methods including WebAuthn and TOTP-based MFA
• Built-in registration, email verification, and password recovery flows
• Public REST API and SDKs to simplify application integration

Use Cases

• Centralized login and SSO for internal apps and SaaS-style multi-tenant products
• Adding MFA and modern authentication (OIDC/WebAuthn) to existing services
• User lifecycle management and provisioning across connected systems

Casdoor fits teams that want an admin-friendly IAM/SSO solution with broad protocol support and a ready-to-use web console. It is especially useful when you need standards-based SSO plus flexible authentication methods in one deployable service.

ZITADEL is an identity and access management platform for authenticating users and securing applications. It provides hosted and custom login options, supports modern standards like OIDC/OAuth2 and SAML, and is designed with multi-tenancy in mind for B2B and CIAM scenarios.

Key Features

• Multi-tenant organizations with team and project management
• Single Sign-On with OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.x flows
• SAML 2.0 support for enterprise federation
• Multifactor authentication (OTP) and passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn)
• Role-based access control (RBAC) and permission management
• Self-service user registration and account management
• API-first platform with gRPC and REST APIs
• SCIM 2.0 server for automated user provisioning
• Event-sourced architecture with an audit trail

Use Cases

• Centralized authentication for web and mobile apps using OIDC/OAuth2
• B2B SaaS user management with isolated organizations and delegated admin
• Enterprise integrations via SAML and automated provisioning via SCIM

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires PostgreSQL (commonly version 14+) as the primary storage backend

ZITADEL combines standards-based authentication with strong multi-tenancy and extensibility, making it suitable for both customer-facing and internal identity scenarios. It can be operated with a hosted login or integrated more deeply via APIs for fully custom experiences.

Logto is an open-source identity and access management platform for adding authentication and authorization to web, mobile, and API-based products. It provides standards-based login, enterprise SSO, and scalable multi-tenant identity management for SaaS and AI applications.

Key Features

• OAuth 2.1 and OpenID Connect provider for apps, SPAs, and APIs
• SAML-based enterprise SSO with common external IdPs
• Multi-tenancy via organizations, including invitations and provisioning flows
• Role-based access control for global and organization-scoped permissions
• Multiple sign-in methods: password, passwordless (email/SMS codes), and social login
• Multi-factor authentication options including passkeys, authenticator apps, and backup codes
• Customizable, pre-built sign-in experience and broad SDK/framework support
• Admin console for managing apps, users, roles, and authentication settings

Use Cases

• Add secure login and token-based API access to a SaaS product
• Implement enterprise-ready SSO and org-level access controls for B2B apps
• Centralize identity for multi-app ecosystems, including AI agents and tools

Limitations and Considerations

• Running at scale typically requires operating and tuning PostgreSQL and the service stack
• Advanced enterprise/security expectations may require careful configuration of SSO, MFA, and authorization models

Logto is a strong fit when you want a modern, standards-based auth system with multi-tenancy, SSO, and RBAC built in. It helps teams ship production-ready identity features without building and maintaining custom auth infrastructure from scratch.

Pocket ID is a lightweight OpenID Connect (OIDC) identity provider designed for simple deployments. It focuses on passwordless authentication by using passkeys, enabling users to sign in securely without managing passwords.

Key Features

• OpenID Connect provider for authenticating users to compatible services
• Passkey-only (passwordless) authentication flow
• Designed to be simpler to operate than larger IAM suites for small setups
• Web-based admin/user interface for managing the identity provider
• Container-friendly deployment options for straightforward installation

Use Cases

• Centralized login (OIDC) for homelab and self-hosted applications
• Passwordless sign-in using hardware keys (for example, security keys)
• Lightweight alternative for small teams that only need OIDC authentication

Limitations and Considerations

• Passkey-only approach may not fit environments that require passwords or multiple auth methods

Pocket ID is a good fit when you want an OIDC provider with minimal complexity and a strong passwordless stance. It prioritizes ease of use and modern authentication for smaller, focused deployments.

Kanidm is an identity management platform that centralizes users, groups, and authentication for your applications and infrastructure. It focuses on secure defaults, simple operations, and built-in capabilities so services can offload identity and access management to a single provider.

Key Features

• OAuth2/OIDC provider for single sign-on (SSO)
• WebAuthn passkeys support, including attested passkeys for higher assurance
• Application portal for launching and accessing linked applications
• Linux/Unix integration, including offline authentication support
• SSH public key distribution for Unix systems
• RADIUS support for network and VPN authentication
• Read-only LDAPS gateway for legacy LDAP-dependent systems
• Administration via CLI tooling plus Web UI for user self-service
• Two-node high availability using database replication

Use Cases

• Replace fragmented credentials with centralized SSO for internal web apps
• Provide strong phishing-resistant authentication using passkeys
• Manage Unix fleet access with centralized identities and SSH key delivery

Limitations and Considerations

• Administrative workflows are primarily CLI-driven, while the Web UI is focused on end-user self-service

Kanidm is a strong fit when you want a unified identity provider with modern authentication (passkeys) plus practical infrastructure integrations (Unix, SSH, RADIUS). It aims to deliver enterprise-grade capabilities with a streamlined operational model and secure-by-default design.

Cerbos is a language-agnostic authorization layer that externalizes permissions into context-aware policies evaluated by a stateless Policy Decision Point (PDP). It is designed to support least-privilege access control across applications, APIs, services, and modern workloads.

Key Features

• Policy-based authorization using simple YAML policies for resources, actions, and principals
• Context-aware decisions with conditional rules and attribute-based access control (ABAC)
• Derived roles and principal-specific policies for dynamic and exception-driven authorization
• Stateless PDP service exposing APIs for authorization checks and query planning
• Multiple policy storage backends (e.g., local disk, Git-based workflows, and supported databases)
• Designed for scalable, highly available deployments (service, sidecar, or other runtime patterns)

Use Cases

• Centralize authorization for microservices, APIs, and web applications with consistent rules
• Implement fine-grained RBAC/ABAC for multi-tenant or enterprise software
• Offload authorization logic from application code to a dedicated decision service

Cerbos helps teams manage authorization as code, enabling clearer permission logic, easier auditing of intent, and safer evolution of access rules as systems grow.

Defguard is an enterprise-grade zero-trust access management platform centered on WireGuard VPN with multi-factor authentication enforced at the VPN protocol level. It also provides integrated identity and SSO capabilities, designed for auditable, private deployments without relying on third-party cloud services.

Key Features

• WireGuard VPN with true connection-level 2FA/MFA (TOTP/email tokens, pre-shared keys) rather than web-only MFA
• Built-in OpenID Connect identity provider for SSO, plus support for external OIDC providers
• LDAP/Active Directory integration with synchronization for users and groups
• User, device, and group management with policy controls (RBAC-style administration)
• Remote user enrollment and onboarding flows, including client configuration distribution
• Forward-auth support for protecting applications behind reverse proxies
• Audit-focused operations with logs and visibility into connected users/devices

Use Cases

• Secure remote workforce access to private networks using WireGuard with enforced MFA
• Replace or complement an existing IdP by acting as an OIDC provider for internal apps
• Centralize user/device onboarding and access policies for multi-site VPN deployments

Defguard fits organizations that need a modern WireGuard-based VPN with strong identity and access controls, while keeping authentication and configuration fully under their own infrastructure.

VoidAuth is an open-source authentication and user management service designed to sit in front of your self-hosted applications. It provides Single Sign-On via OpenID Connect and can also protect apps through a reverse-proxy ForwardAuth flow.

Key Features

• OpenID Connect (OIDC) identity provider for SSO integrations
• ForwardAuth-style proxy authentication for protecting apps behind a reverse proxy
• Built-in user and group management with an admin panel
• User invitations and optional self-registration
• Multi-factor authentication support, including passkeys (WebAuthn)
• Secure password reset via email verification
• Customization for branding and emails (logo, title, theme color, email templates)
• Encryption at rest with PostgreSQL or SQLite-backed storage

Use Cases

• Centralized login for a homelab or self-hosted app suite using OIDC
• Protecting internal dashboards and services via reverse-proxy ForwardAuth
• Lightweight IAM for small teams with groups and invitation-based onboarding

Limitations and Considerations

• The project notes it has not been security audited; evaluate risk and keep dependencies updated

VoidAuth fits users who want a modern, self-hosted SSO solution with both OIDC-based federation and reverse-proxy authentication, plus practical account management features. It is especially suited for homelabs and small organizations standardizing authentication across multiple services.

Authgear is an identity and authentication platform for consumer and B2B applications, providing hosted login, user management, and standards-based SSO. It can be deployed for self-hosting and is designed to support modern authentication methods across web and mobile.

Key Features

• Pre-built, customizable signup/login and account settings UI
• Passwordless authentication (magic link / OTP via email and SMS) and passkeys (WebAuthn)
• Multi-factor authentication (TOTP, email OTP, SMS OTP)
• SSO and federated identity via OAuth 2.0 / OIDC and SAML 2.0
• Admin portal for configuration, user/session management, and operational insights (e.g., logs)
• Admin API with GraphQL for managing auth resources and automation
• Extensibility via webhooks and server-side hooks for custom auth logic
• Enterprise-oriented controls such as audit logs, rate limiting, and brute-force protection

Use Cases

• Add authentication to SaaS products and multi-app ecosystems with a unified identity layer
• Implement enterprise SSO for B2B customers using OIDC/SAML and directory integrations
• Roll out phishing-resistant sign-in using passkeys plus MFA for higher assurance logins

Authgear combines turnkey UI components with protocol support and administrative tooling, making it suitable for teams that want a customizable IAM foundation without building auth from scratch. Its API and hooks enable deeper integration while keeping authentication flows consistent across platforms.

Mozilla Accounts (formerly Firefox Accounts, often abbreviated as FxA) is the account system used by Mozilla products to handle user sign-in and account lifecycle. It provides authentication flows and account-related services that Mozilla clients can integrate with.

Key Features

• User authentication and session management for Mozilla applications
• Account lifecycle features such as sign-up, sign-in, and account recovery flows
• APIs and service components designed to support Mozilla client integrations
• Monorepo structure that groups multiple account-related services and packages

Use Cases

• Providing a centralized login for Mozilla applications and services
• Managing user sessions and account data across multiple Mozilla clients
• Developing and testing account-related backend services in a unified codebase

Limitations and Considerations

• The service is primarily intended for Mozilla’s internal clients, and external relying-party integrations may be limited

Mozilla Accounts is suited to organizations that need an integrated account system with consistent authentication flows across multiple clients. It is most relevant when you specifically need compatibility with Mozilla’s ecosystem and existing FxA-based clients.

Melody Auth is a turnkey OAuth 2.0 and authentication system you can run on Cloudflare Workers (with D1 and KV) or self-host on Node.js with Redis and PostgreSQL. It provides a complete auth server, management UI, and developer-facing APIs and SDKs for integrating secure login flows into applications.

Key Features

• OAuth 2.0 flows including authorization, token exchange, refresh token revoke, scopes, consent, and user info retrieval
• OpenID Connect support (discovery/openid configuration) and JWT/JWKS-based authentication with key rotation
• Multi-factor authentication options including email/OTP/SMS, passkeys, recovery codes, and “remember device”
• External identity providers including social login (Google, GitHub, Discord, Apple, etc.) and OIDC providers; SAML SSO in Node.js deployments
• Role-based access control (RBAC), user attributes, account linking, organizations and groups
• Admin panel for managing users, apps, roles/scopes, organizations, IdPs, and logs (including impersonation)
• Server-to-server REST API plus embedded auth API and frontend SDKs for web, React, Angular, and Vue
• Brute-force protection and security-focused logging for sign-in and verification flows

Use Cases

• Ship OAuth/OIDC authentication for new products with a built-in admin console
• Add MFA, passkeys, and social login to existing apps without building auth from scratch
• Run an internal identity provider for multiple apps with RBAC, org/group management, and audit-friendly logs

Melody Auth is well-suited for teams that want a complete, customizable auth stack with minimal operational overhead on the edge or full control in a traditional server deployment.

AuthPortal is a lightweight, Go-built authentication gateway that provides a unified login experience for Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby users. It issues signed session cookies, offers an admin console, and can act as an OAuth 2.1 / OIDC authorization server for downstream apps. (github.com)

Key Features

• Unified login flows for Plex (PIN flow), Jellyfin, and Emby with provider-specific handling.
• Signed, HTTP-only JWT session cookies and session lifecycle management.
• Optional TOTP-based multi-factor authentication with recovery codes and per-tenant enforcement.
• Built-in OAuth 2.1 / OIDC endpoints (discovery, JWKS, token, userinfo) with PKCE and refresh support.
• Admin SPA for runtime config editing (providers, security, MFA), OAuth client management, and encrypted config backups with scheduling/retention. (github.com)

Use Cases

• Provide single sign-on for a media-focused community (Plex/Jellyfin/Emby) across internal portals and apps.
• Act as a lightweight first-party OIDC authorization server for home-lab or intranet applications.
• Centralize MFA enforcement, OAuth client lifecycle, and runtime configuration for downstream services.

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for same-origin / intranet scenarios; production use requires proper HTTPS reverse proxy and careful key management (SESSION_SECRET, DATA_KEY).
• Relies on Postgres for user/profile storage and expects you to manage DB availability, backups, and secret rotation. (github.com)

AuthPortal is intended for self-hosting in home-lab and media community environments. It emphasizes a small runtime footprint, containerized deployment, and extensible provider support while requiring operators to follow security best practices and manage secrets and backups carefully. (github.com)

Stackspin is an open source platform for running a value-aligned work collaboration suite you control. It bundles multiple best-of-breed open source apps behind a single login and provides centralized administration for teams.

Key Features

• Single sign-on across integrated collaboration apps
• Centralized user and access management via an admin dashboard
• One-click installation and lifecycle management of multiple apps as a suite
• Automated backups and instance monitoring for operations teams
• Integrations aimed at managed/self-hosted deployments, including hosting provider integration

Use Cases

• Non-profits and small organizations needing a full collaboration stack with one login
• Distributed research teams coordinating documents, chat, and file sharing
• Communities running shared tools (docs, tasks, passwords) with streamlined administration

Limitations and Considerations

• Available apps and integrations depend on the platform’s supported application catalog and deployment options
• Some contribution workflows may require contacting the maintainers due to anti-spam restrictions

Stackspin is a good fit when you want a cohesive open source “work suite” rather than deploying and managing each collaboration tool separately. It emphasizes simple admin operations, safer defaults, and a unified user experience across apps.

FusionAuth is a full-featured authentication and identity platform for adding login, registration, and access control to web, mobile, and API-driven applications. It provides standards-based auth flows and an admin UI for managing users, applications, and security settings.

Key Features

• Standards-based authentication and authorization using OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect
• SAML v2 support for enterprise SSO integrations
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and passwordless authentication options
• User, group, and role management with application-specific configuration
• Admin dashboard and APIs for identity management and automation

Use Cases

• Centralized login and SSO across multiple internal and customer-facing applications
• Add OAuth/OIDC-based authentication for APIs and microservices
• Enterprise integrations requiring SAML-based identity federation

FusionAuth is a practical choice for teams needing a self-hosted IAM solution with modern auth standards, multiple authentication methods, and an administrative interface for ongoing identity operations.