Apache Syncope vs midPoint
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 | midPoint |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 77 · Good | 75 · Good |
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 4,096 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 341 | ★ 531 |
| First released | 2012 | 2011 |
| Replaces | SailPoint, Okta | SailPoint, Saviynt |
What are Apache Syncope and midPoint?
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
midPoint
midPoint is an open-source identity governance and administration platform. It focuses on identity lifecycle, role management, provisioning, compliance and policy enforcement across many systems.
- Identity governance and administration
- Role and organizational structure management
- Connector-based provisioning
- Compliance and certification campaigns
Apache Syncope vs midPoint: key differences
Both projects are written in Java. Apache Syncope is the lighter option, starting around 2,048 MB of RAM against 4,096 MB for midPoint.
Why pick each one
Choose Apache Syncope if…
- Strong identity governance features
- Standards based
Watch out for
- Complex enterprise-oriented setup
Choose midPoint if…
- Comprehensive IGA capabilities
- Active commercial backing
Watch out for
- Heavy and complex to deploy
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Syncope or midPoint better?
Neither is universally better. midPoint has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Apache Syncope and midPoint free and open-source?
Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and midPoint under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache Syncope and midPoint with Docker?
Apache Syncope: yes. midPoint: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Apache Syncope or midPoint?
Apache Syncope has the smaller minimum footprint at 2,048 MB of RAM, compared to about 4,096 MB for midPoint. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.