Apache Syncope vs FusionAuth
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
FusionAuth
Complete authentication and authorization platform
| Feature | Apache Syncope | FusionAuth |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | Dockerfile |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 336 | ★ 241 |
| First released | 2012 | 2018 |
| Replaces | SailPoint, Okta | Auth0, Okta |
Why pick each one
Choose FusionAuth if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Written in Dockerfile
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Syncope or FusionAuth better?
Neither is universally better. Apache Syncope has the larger community, while FusionAuth is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Apache Syncope and FusionAuth free and open-source?
Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and FusionAuth under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache Syncope and FusionAuth with Docker?
Apache Syncope: yes. FusionAuth: yes.