Apache Syncope vs SimpleSAMLphp
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 | SimpleSAMLphp |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 77 · Good | 83 · Excellent |
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | Apache-2.0 | LGPL-2.1 |
| Language | Java | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal | bare-metal, source, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 341 | ★ 1,141 |
| First released | 2012 | 2007 |
| Replaces | SailPoint, Okta | Okta, PingFederate |
What are Apache Syncope and SimpleSAMLphp?
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
SimpleSAMLphp
SimpleSAMLphp is a widely used PHP application for implementing SAML 2.0 identity and service providers. It enables web single sign-on and federation for PHP environments and beyond.
- SAML 2.0 IdP and SP
- Identity federation
- Many auth backends
- Module ecosystem
Apache Syncope vs SimpleSAMLphp: key differences
Apache Syncope is written in Java, while SimpleSAMLphp is built with PHP. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Apache Syncope versus LGPL-2.1 for SimpleSAMLphp. SimpleSAMLphp is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Apache Syncope. SimpleSAMLphp is the more established project (first released 2007), while Apache Syncope arrived in 2012. SimpleSAMLphp has the considerably larger community, at 1,141 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 SimpleSAMLphp if…
- Proven and widely deployed
- Flexible modules
Watch out for
- Configuration is intricate
- PHP performance limits
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Syncope or SimpleSAMLphp better?
SimpleSAMLphp 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 SimpleSAMLphp free and open-source?
Yes. Apache Syncope is licensed under Apache-2.0 and SimpleSAMLphp under LGPL-2.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Apache Syncope and SimpleSAMLphp with Docker?
Apache Syncope: yes. SimpleSAMLphp: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Apache Syncope or SimpleSAMLphp?
SimpleSAMLphp 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.