Apache Syncope vs Dex
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted identity & sso options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Apache Syncope
Open-source system for managing digital identities
VS
Dex
OpenID Connect identity provider with pluggable connectors
| Feature | Apache Syncope | Dex |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 336 | ★ 11,019 |
| First released | 2012 | 2016 |
| Replaces | SailPoint, Okta | Okta, Auth0 |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Syncope or Dex better?
Dex 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 Dex free and open-source?
Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Dex under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache Syncope and Dex with Docker?
Apache Syncope: yes. Dex: yes.