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Apache Syncope
What Apache Syncope is
Apache Syncope is an open-source system for managing digital identities in enterprise environments. It keeps identity records aligned across repositories, formats, and models, and handles provisioning for users, groups, and other objects through inbound pulls and outbound updates. A lifecycle workflow layer includes a Flowable-based engine, approvals, and a web editor. Its identity and access capabilities cover authentication, authorization, and federation, with listed SSO protocols including OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, and CAS, plus MFA options such as TOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, and FIDO2 WebAuthn passkeys. The Admin UI supports delegated administration, while the End-user UI offers self-registration, self-service, and password reset. Third-party applications can use REST services through a Java client or HTTP. Syncope is free under Apache License 2.0. It runs on Linux, web, API, and self-hosted environments, and supports directory synchronization and lifecycle provisioning.
Who it suits
It suits organizations managing identity lifecycles across repositories, tenant domains, and identity stores. Teams seeking delegated administration, provisioning, and listed SSO or MFA options may find its scope relevant.
What it does well
- Synchronizes identity data across repositories and formats
- Includes lifecycle workflows, approvals, and a web editor
- Offers REST access through Java client or HTTP
- Supports multiple listed SSO protocols and MFA methods
What to know first
- Requires self-hosting or supported infrastructure choices
- Security advisories recommend upgrading to specified releases
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Syncope | Open-source software under Apache License 2.0 · enterprise support and professional services offered by listed providers | Free |
As syncope.apache.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Apache Syncope website.
- Choose a source or binary distribution, standalone package, or Docker image.
- Use the evaluation demo for evaluation purposes only.
- Configure a supported internal storage option such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, or Oracle.
- Connect identity stores with ConnId or another listed connector.
Verdict
Apache Syncope combines identity synchronization, provisioning, workflow, and access management in a free open-source package. Its deployment and storage options are broad, but teams should account for the project’s stated security upgrade guidance.
Questions
How much does Apache Syncope cost?
Apache Syncope is free, open-source software under Apache License 2.0.
Which platforms are listed?
The listed platforms are API, Linux, self-hosted, and web.
What SSO protocols and MFA methods are supported?
The listed SSO protocols are OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, and CAS. MFA methods include TOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, and FIDO2 WebAuthn passkeys.
Does Syncope support directory synchronization and lifecycle provisioning?
Yes. It supports directory synchronization and lifecycle provisioning, with provisioning for users, groups, and other objects.
Can Syncope connect to identity stores and databases?
It uses ConnId connectors and also lists SOAP, CSV, PowerShell, and Active Directory connectors. Supported internal storage options include PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Oracle.
Where can users get support?
The project directs usage questions to its user mailing list. It says enterprise support and professional services are provided by listed companies.
Facts from Apache Syncope's own pages
- Access management
- Its IAM scenario describes authentication, authorization, and federation using technologies including SSO, OAuth, XACML, SAML, and OpenID Connect. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- API
- The Core exposes REST services for third-party applications, accessible through a Java client library or plain HTTP calls. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The downloads page provides source and binary distributions under Apache License 2.0, including standalone distributions and Docker images. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- The project demo is provided for evaluation purposes only. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Identity management
- It keeps identity data consistent and synchronized across repositories, data formats, and models. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Syncope uses ConnId connectors to connect with identity stores, with additional connectors such as SOAP, CSV, PowerShell, and Active Directory. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Multi-tenancy
- Domains can manage data for different tenants in separate database instances. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Provisioning
- Its provisioning layer manages internal and external representations of users, groups, and other objects, with inbound pull and outbound propagation or push. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apache Syncope is an open-source system for managing digital identities in enterprise environments. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- Syncope defines fine-grained entitlements for administrators to support delegated administration. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security advisories
- The Apache security advisory page recommends upgrading to 4.0.8 or 4.1.3 for listed vulnerabilities affecting earlier releases. · security.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Storage and scale
- The reference guide says Syncope can scale to a million entities and lists PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Oracle as supported internal storage options. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs usage questions to its user mailing list and says enterprise support and professional services are provided by listed companies. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Web interfaces
- The Admin UI is a web console with delegated administration, while the End-user UI supports self-registration, self-service, and password reset. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- The workflow layer manages identity lifecycles and supports a Flowable-based engine with approval management and a web-based workflow editor. · syncope.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026