Freedom251 › Identity and Access Management Software
Gluu Server
What Gluu Server is
Gluu Server is a free, open-source identity and access management platform for organizations that manage their own infrastructure or outsource its operation to Gluu. It handles user authentication, identity information, and policy decisions, with documented uses including single sign-on, mobile authentication, API access management, two-factor authentication, customer identity and access management, and identity federation. The server supports standards such as OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, UMA 2.0, SAML 2.0, SCIM, FIDO, LDAP, and RADIUS. Its default distribution includes authentication scripts for FIDO2, OTP, smart cards, Duo, and Super Gluu; Gluu Passport can also connect sign-in to external SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect providers. Integration guidance covers server-side, JavaScript, native, SaaS, and off-the-shelf applications, with AppAuth libraries listed for iOS, macOS, and Android. Deployment guides cover Docker and Kubernetes, while documentation lists Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, and Debian. Gluu Server stores identity data locally and requires a copy on the server. It does not provide delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflows.
Who it suits
Gluu Server suits organizations that need self-hosted identity management, standards-based single sign-on, or authentication across web, mobile, API, and SaaS applications. It may suit teams that can manage their own deployment and identity data, including organizations that outsource infrastructure operation to Gluu.
What it does well
- Free open-source IAM platform at no cost.
- Supports OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, and other standards.
- Default authentication scripts include FIDO2, OTP, smart cards, and Duo.
- Deployment guides cover Docker and Kubernetes.
- Supports directory sync, lifecycle provisioning, and adaptive access policies.
What to know first
- Linux packages require a support contract for access.
- Identity data is stored locally and needs a server-side copy.
- No delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflows.
- Community support tickets are public.
Limits
The free open-source plan costs nothing, but Linux packages require a support contract for access. Gluu Server has no delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflow features.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gluu Server (FOSS) | Free open-source IAM platform · Linux packages require a support contract for access | Free |
As gluu.org lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Gluu Server website.
- Choose a deployment route using the Docker or Kubernetes guides, or consult the Linux installation pages.
- For free up-to-date binaries, follow the installation pages to Janssen Project releases.
- Configure identity data on the server.
- Use the integration guidance for web, native, SaaS, or other supported application types.
Verdict
Choose Gluu Server if you need a free, self-hosted identity platform with broad protocol support and Docker or Kubernetes deployment guidance. Look elsewhere if delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflow features are required. Linux package access requires a support contract; free up-to-date binaries are available through Janssen Project releases.
Questions
How much does Gluu Server cost?
The Gluu Server (FOSS) plan is free.
Which platforms does Gluu Server support?
Listed platforms are API, Linux, self-hosted, and web. Deployment documentation covers Docker and Kubernetes, and lists Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, and Debian.
Is Gluu Server open source?
Yes. It is described as a free, open-source identity and access management platform.
Do I need a support contract to use Linux packages?
Linux packages, assets, and binaries require a support contract. The installation pages direct users to Janssen Project releases for free up-to-date binaries.
Which protocols does it support?
Listed standards include OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, UMA 2.0, SAML 2.0, SCIM, FIDO, LDAP, and RADIUS.
Does it include delegated administration or workflows?
No. Gluu Server does not include delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflows.
Facts from Gluu Server's own pages
- App integrations
- Integration guidance covers web, JavaScript, native, SaaS, and off-the-shelf applications; listed native libraries include AppAuth for iOS, macOS, and Android. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Authentication options include FIDO, OTP, Super Gluu, Duo Security, social login, SMS OTP, and certificate authentication. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Company
- Gluu says it supports enterprises that host their own infrastructure or outsource operation to Gluu. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Gluu Server is available as Linux packages and Docker or Kubernetes containers; its documentation lists Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, and Debian. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- The documentation provides Docker and Kubernetes deployment guides for Gluu Server. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Directory requirement
- Gluu stores identity data locally and says it always needs a copy of identity data on the server. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- Gluu says customers have supported the company for 15 years; the page does not state a founding year. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Gluu, Inc. lists its address as 600 Congress Avenue, 14th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701, USA. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Inbound identity
- Gluu Passport supports authentication at external SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect providers. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Gluu documents SSO integration for server-side, JavaScript, native, SaaS, and off-the-shelf web and mobile applications. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Linux access
- Linux assets, packages, and binaries require a support contract; the installation pages direct users to Janssen Project releases for free up-to-date binaries. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- Gluu Server does not include delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflows. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The server does not include delegated administration, role definition, approvals, or workflow features. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Package access
- The Ubuntu installation page says Gluu Server Linux packages require a support contract and directs users to Janssen Project releases for free up-to-date binaries. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Product status
- Gluu describes Gluu Server 4 as its earlier product line, with version 4.5 as its latest release. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, UMA 2.0, SAML 2.0, SCIM, and FIDO U2F. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Gluu Server is a container distribution of free open source software for identity and access management. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- Gluu advises reviewing TLS cipher suites and notes that Content-Security-Policy and X-Frame-Options clauses are commented out by default. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Standards
- The server supports standards including OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, UMA 2.0, SAML 2.0, SCIM, FIDO, LDAP, and RADIUS. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community tickets are public; private support, guaranteed response times, and consultative support are available with a paid support contract. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- Documented use cases include single sign-on, mobile authentication, API access management, two-factor authentication, CIAM, and identity federation. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Gluu Server is a free open-source identity and access management platform for user authentication, identity information, and policy decisions. · gluu.org, 8 Oct 2026