SHSelfHostIndex

Apache Syncope vs Shibboleth Identity Provider

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?
AP Apache Syncope Open-source system for managing digital identities VS SH Shibboleth Identity Provider Standards-based SAML identity provider for federations
FeatureApache SyncopeShibboleth Identity Provider
Deploy effortUnder-an-hour setupUnder-an-hour setup
CategoryIdentity & SSOIdentity & SSO
LicenseApache-2.0Apache-2.0
LanguageJavaJava
Setup difficultyHardHard
Min. RAM2,048 MB1,024 MB
Deploymentdocker, kubernetes, bare-metalbare-metal, docker, source
GitHub stars★ 341★ 200
First released20122003
ReplacesSailPoint, OktaOkta, Ping Identity

What are Apache Syncope and Shibboleth Identity Provider?

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

Shibboleth Identity Provider

The Shibboleth Identity Provider is an open-source SAML identity provider widely used in research and education federations. It enables secure single sign-on and attribute release across organizations.

  • SAML 2.0 identity provider
  • Attribute resolution and release policies
  • Federation metadata support
  • Used by academic federations worldwide

Apache Syncope vs Shibboleth Identity Provider: key differences

Both projects are written in Java. Shibboleth Identity Provider is the lighter option, starting around 1,024 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Apache Syncope. Shibboleth Identity Provider is the more established project (first released 2003), while Apache Syncope arrived in 2012.

Why pick each one

Choose Apache Syncope if…

  • Strong identity governance features
  • Standards based

Watch out for

  • Complex enterprise-oriented setup
Apache Syncope details

Choose Shibboleth Identity Provider if…

  • Gold standard for SAML federations
  • Highly configurable

Watch out for

  • Complex setup
  • SAML-centric
Shibboleth Identity Provider details

Frequently asked questions

Is Apache Syncope or Shibboleth Identity Provider better?

Neither is universally better. Apache Syncope has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.

Are Apache Syncope and Shibboleth Identity Provider free and open-source?

Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Shibboleth Identity Provider under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Apache Syncope and Shibboleth Identity Provider with Docker?

Apache Syncope: yes. Shibboleth Identity Provider: yes.

Which is lighter on resources, Apache Syncope or Shibboleth Identity Provider?

Shibboleth Identity Provider has the smaller minimum footprint at 1,024 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Apache Syncope. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.

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