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Best Authentication Software in 2026
Authentication software helps manage sign-in and access for applications and services. This list is for people comparing hosted services, APIs, and software that runs on web, Android, iOS, Windows, or macOS.
- 31 apps
- Research read 28 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Amazon Cognito
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Cognito combines application sign-in, federation, and access control with a wide set of AWS integrations.
- 2
Authelia
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Authelia combines several authentication methods with policy-based access control and password resets.
- 3
authentik
Free plan APILinuxMac+3authentik covers a broad set of identity protocols and use cases, with a self-hosted deployment model.
- 4
Apereo CAS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose Apereo CAS if you need a free, open-source identity provider with broad protocol, authentication-source, and MFA support.
- 5
Clerk
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2Clerk combines authentication, user management, organization support, and billing for application teams, with a free Hobby tier and paid plans.
- 6
Descope
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2Descope combines visual authentication-flow design with SDKs, APIs, and a broad range of authentication methods.
- 7
Entrust Identity App
by Entrust Identity AppFree plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1Entrust Identity App supports sign-in and transaction verification for people whose organization has deployed Identity Enterprise. It is free to download, but organizational activation is required.
- 8
Frontegg
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Frontegg combines customer sign-in, authorization, and B2B tenant controls with developer SDKs and an embedded admin portal.
- 9
FusionAuth
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5FusionAuth offers identity management with multiple authentication methods, standards, and deployment options.
- 10
Google Cloud Identity
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Cloud Identity combines identity federation, app SSO, device management, and provisioning in a central service.
- 11
Keycloak
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+2Keycloak provides single sign-on, multiple authentication methods, directory synchronization, and fine-grained authorization policies as open-source software.
- 12
Logto
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+3Choose Logto if you need authentication and authorization for an app or SaaS product, with options for cloud or self-hosting and broad developer tooling.
- 13
MojoAuth
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2Choose MojoAuth for consumer app authentication when passwordless sign-in, developer tools, and a gradual move from passwords matter.
- 14
Okta Customer Identity Cloud
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Auth0 covers user sign-in, single sign-on, passwordless access, and machine-to-machine authentication, with developer tools and deployment options.
- 15
JumpCloud Protect
Free plan AndroidiPhoneProtect offers push and offline TOTP authentication across supported portals, apps, and device logins.
- 16
Stytch
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Stytch combines a broad set of identity, access-control, and fraud tools with implementation options for frontend and backend developers.
- 17
Supabase
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Supabase brings a Postgres database and several backend services together, with client libraries and self-hosting documentation.
- 18
WorkOS
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Choose WorkOS if your SaaS application needs enterprise identity, directory provisioning, or an administration portal through APIs and hosted tools.
- 19
ZITADEL
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Choose ZITADEL if you need identity management with B2B role delegation, multiple authentication options, and a choice of cloud or self-hosted deployment.
- 20
1Password
by AgileBits Inc.Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+51Password offers individual, family, team, and business plans, with support for major desktop and mobile platforms and several browsers.
- 21
Cisco Duo Passwordless
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 22
Authsignal
Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1 - 23
IBM Verify
by IBM VerifyFree trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1IBM Verify brings workforce and customer identity controls into one platform, with orchestration, federation, lifecycle features, and several multifactor options.
- 24
- 25
Gluu Flex
Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Review each tool's free-plan limits, starting paid rate, monthly active-user allowance, authentication protocols, MFA options, passkey support, directory synchronization, and deployment model. If you need a trial, confirm its terms; if you need to read or change code, check the licence.
Questions
Do authentication tools offer trials?
Trial terms vary. Authsignal and Cisco Duo Passwordless each list a 30-day trial; check the current terms before starting.
What platforms do these tools support?
Items on the list run on web, Android, iOS, APIs, Windows, and macOS. Check the platform details for the tool you need.
What should I compare between authentication tools?
Look at each option's free plan, starting paid price, monthly active users, authentication protocols, MFA methods, passkey sign-in, directory sync, and deployment.
Can I read or change the source code?
Check the licence for the specific tool. Pricing information alone does not establish source-code access or modification rights.
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