SimpleSAMLphp vs WSO2 Identity Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted identity & sso options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | SimpleSAMLphp | WSO2 Identity Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 83 · Excellent | 80 · Excellent |
| Category | Identity & SSO | Identity & SSO |
| License | LGPL-2.1 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 4,096 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source, docker | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,142 | ★ 880 |
| First released | 2007 | 2007 |
| Replaces | Okta, PingFederate | Okta, ForgeRock |
What are SimpleSAMLphp and WSO2 Identity Server?
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
WSO2 Identity Server
WSO2 Identity Server is an open-source IAM product that provides single sign-on, identity federation, and strong authentication. It supports SAML, OpenID Connect, and adaptive authentication policies.
- Single sign-on
- Identity federation
- Adaptive authentication
- Standards support
SimpleSAMLphp vs WSO2 Identity Server: key differences
SimpleSAMLphp is written in PHP, while WSO2 Identity Server is built with Java. Licensing differs — LGPL-2.1 for SimpleSAMLphp versus Apache-2.0 for WSO2 Identity Server. SimpleSAMLphp is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 4,096 MB for WSO2 Identity Server.
Why pick each one
Choose SimpleSAMLphp if…
- Proven and widely deployed
- Flexible modules
Watch out for
- Configuration is intricate
- PHP performance limits
Choose WSO2 Identity Server if…
- Enterprise feature set
- Strong standards coverage
Watch out for
- Resource heavy
- Complex tuning
Frequently asked questions
Is SimpleSAMLphp or WSO2 Identity Server better?
SimpleSAMLphp is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider WSO2 Identity Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are SimpleSAMLphp and WSO2 Identity Server free and open-source?
Yes. SimpleSAMLphp is licensed under LGPL-2.1 and WSO2 Identity Server under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run SimpleSAMLphp and WSO2 Identity Server with Docker?
SimpleSAMLphp: yes. WSO2 Identity Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, SimpleSAMLphp or WSO2 Identity Server?
SimpleSAMLphp has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 4,096 MB for WSO2 Identity Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.