Apache Syncope vs Casdoor
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted identity & sso options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Apache Syncope | Casdoor |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 77 · Good | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 341 | ★ 14,459 |
| First released | 2012 | 2021 |
| Replaces | SailPoint, Okta | Auth0, Okta |
What are Apache Syncope and Casdoor?
Apache Syncope
Apache Syncope is an open-source system for managing digital identities in enterprise environments. It handles identity lifecycle, provisioning, governance and access management with workflow support.
- Identity lifecycle management
- Provisioning to many connected systems
- Workflow-driven approvals
- Reporting and auditing
Casdoor
Casdoor is an open-source identity and access management platform with a strong focus on a friendly user interface. It supports OAuth2, OIDC, SAML, CAS, LDAP and many social login providers.
- Supports OAuth, SAML, CAS and LDAP
- Dozens of built-in social login providers
- Multi-tenant organization support
- Web-based admin and login UI
Apache Syncope vs Casdoor: key differences
Apache Syncope is written in Java, while Casdoor is built with Go. Casdoor is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Apache Syncope. Apache Syncope is the more established project (first released 2012), while Casdoor arrived in 2021. Casdoor has the considerably larger community, at 14,459 GitHub stars versus 341.
Why pick each one
Choose Apache Syncope if…
- Strong identity governance features
- Standards based
Watch out for
- Complex enterprise-oriented setup
Choose Casdoor if…
- Polished out-of-the-box UI
- Broad protocol support
Watch out for
- Documentation can be uneven
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Syncope or Casdoor better?
Casdoor is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Apache Syncope if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Apache Syncope and Casdoor free and open-source?
Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Casdoor under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache Syncope and Casdoor with Docker?
Apache Syncope: yes. Casdoor: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Apache Syncope or Casdoor?
Casdoor has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Apache Syncope. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.