Top Open-Source MFA Solutions for Enterprise Applications (2026)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has evolved from a security nice-to-have to an absolute necessity. For organizations handling sensitive data - financial institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies - the choice of MFA solution carries significant weight.

Open-source MFA servers offer compelling advantages: transparency, auditability, customization, and freedom from vendor lock-in. Whether you need a self-hosted authentication solution that supports modern MFA methods or an on-premise MFA platform that meets strict compliance requirements, the open-source ecosystem has matured to offer enterprise-grade options.

This guide compares the top open-source MFA solutions available in 2026, helping you identify the right platform for your internal business applications.

What to Look for in an Open-Source MFA Solution

Before diving into specific platforms, understanding the evaluation criteria helps ensure you select a solution that meets your organization's needs.

Authentication Method Support

Modern MFA goes beyond simple one-time passwords. Look for platforms that support:

• TOTP Authenticator Apps - Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy
• SMS and Email OTP - For broad user accessibility
• Passkeys/WebAuthn - Phishing-resistant authentication using FIDO2
• Biometric Login - Fingerprint and facial recognition for mobile applications
• Adaptive MFA - Risk-based authentication that adjusts security requirements

Integration Capabilities

An MFA solution must integrate seamlessly with existing systems:

• Protocol Support - OIDC, OAuth 2.0, SAML 2.0
• API Access - REST or GraphQL APIs for custom integrations

Total Cost of Ownership

• Hosting infrastructure costs
• Implementation and customization effort
• Ongoing maintenance burden
• Support availability (community vs. commercial)

Top Open-Source MFA Solutions Compared

Here's a high-level comparison of the leading open-source MFA platforms:

Authgear supports TOTP, SMS OTP, WhatsApp OTP, email-based login, passkeys/WebAuthn, and biometric login. Full OIDC/OAuth 2.0 and SAML support with built-in MFA, account lockout, bot detection, and rate limiting. Both self-hosted and managed deployment options available.

Keycloak supports TOTP and WebAuthn for MFA, with phone-based authentication available via additional configuration. It offers full OIDC/OAuth 2.0 and SAML 2.0 support with a built-in admin console. Developed by Red Hat, it is widely used in enterprise environments.

Authentik offers multi-factor authentication with full OIDC/OAuth 2.0 and SAML 2.0 support. It features a modern admin portal with a visual flow builder for customizing authentication workflows. Kubernetes-friendly deployment with commercial support available.

‍Ory Kratos is an API-first identity management component within the broader Ory ecosystem (Hydra for OAuth 2.0 and OIDC, Keto for permissions, Oathkeeper for identity-aware proxy). It is highly flexible and suitable for teams building custom authentication systems. Commercial support is available via Ory Network.

FusionAuth is mentioned alongside other open-source identity solutions as providing enterprise-grade authentication capabilities. It allows organizations to self-host, modify, and integrate deeply with existing systems. Commercial support is available.

Detailed Platform Reviews

Authgear

Overview: Authgear is a modern, open-source identity platform designed for frontline, external, and customer users. It enables SaaS teams and enterprises to secure large, non-corporate user bases without extending traditional workforce IAM.

Strengths:

• Complete MFA suite: SMS OTP, WhatsApp OTP, email-based login, TOTP with recovery codes, passkeys, and biometric login
• Full protocol support: OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and SAML
• Built-in security: MFA, account lockout, bot detection, and rate limiting
• Pre-built UI saves teams from maintaining custom authentication forms
• Both self-hosted and managed deployment options
• BYO SMS gateway support for cost control
• Separation of corporate and external identities for simplified governance

Best For: Frontline staff, partners, contractors, and customer-facing apps. SaaS platforms requiring secure, fast login at scale. Organizations needing both cloud and self-hosted options while avoiding corporate IAM sprawl and unpredictable MAU costs.

Keycloak

Overview: Keycloak is one of the most mature open-source identity and access management platforms. Developed by Red Hat, it is widely used in enterprise environments.

Strengths:

• Comprehensive feature set covering SSO, identity brokering, and user federation
• Strong community with extensive documentation
• Native SAML and OIDC support
• Red Hat backing provides enterprise credibility

Considerations:

• Complex initial configuration with steep learning curve
• UI can feel dated compared to modern alternatives
• Customization often requires Java knowledge

Best For: Large enterprises with dedicated infrastructure teams, complex user hierarchies, and enterprise-level identity requirements.

Authentik

Overview: Authentik represents the newer generation of open-source identity providers. It features a modern interface and visual flow builder for customizing authentication journeys.

Strengths:

• Modern, intuitive admin interface
• Visual flow builder for authentication customization
• Strong OIDC and SAML support
• Kubernetes-friendly deployment
• Active development with regular releases

‍Considerations:

• Smaller ecosystem compared to Keycloak
• Fewer enterprise case studies

‍

Best For: SaaS teams that require modern authentication flows and self-hosting support for enterprise clients. Strong choice for Kubernetes-centric deployments.

Ory Kratos

Overview: Ory Kratos takes an API-first, headless approach to identity management. Part of the broader Ory ecosystem (Hydra for OAuth2, Keto for permissions), it's designed for developers building custom authentication experiences.

Strengths:

• Truly API-first architecture
• Modular design - use only what you need
• Excellent for custom-built applications
• Cloud-native design principles

Considerations:

• Requires development effort  - no built-in login UI
• Steeper learning curve
• Requires managing multiple services
• Limited built-in UI

Best For: Development teams building custom applications, microservices architectures, organizations with strong engineering capabilities.

FusionAuth

Overview: FusionAuth is listed among open-source identity solutions that provide enterprise-grade authentication capabilities. It allows organizations to self-host, modify, and integrate deeply with existing systems.

Strengths:

• Enterprise-grade authentication capabilities
• Allows self-hosting and deep integration with existing systems

Considerations:

• Evaluate directly for specific MFA feature requirements, as detailed capabilities vary by edition

Best For: Engineering-driven teams looking for an identity solution they can self-host and integrate with existing infrastructure.

Which Solution is Right for You?

Selecting the right MFA platform depends on your organization's specific requirements:

Choose Authgear if:

• You need comprehensive MFA methods including passkeys and biometrics
• Both cloud and self-hosted deployment options matter
• You want modern authentication without complex setup
• Frontline or extended workforce authentication is your use case
• You prefer pre-built UI over maintaining custom login forms

Choose Keycloak if:

• You need comprehensive identity federation across many systems
• Your organization values the backing of Red Hat
• You have dedicated identity management staff for ongoing administration
• Enterprise support through Red Hat is valuable to your procurement process

Choose Authentik if:

• Modern admin experience and visual flow builder appeal to your team
• You're comfortable with a newer platform that's rapidly maturing
• Kubernetes-friendly deployment is needed
• Your team can contribute to customization work

Choose Ory Kratos if:

• You're building custom applications and want API-first identity
• Your engineering team prefers building their own login UI
• Microservices architecture is your deployment model
• You want to pick and choose identity components (Kratos, Hydra, Keto)

Choose FusionAuth if:

• You need an identity solution you can self-host and integrate deeply with existing systems
• Enterprise-grade authentication capabilities with commercial support options are important

Recommendations by Industry

• Financial Services (primary concern: compliance and audit): Consider Authgear or Keycloak
• Healthcare (primary concern: security and biometrics): Consider Authgear
• Government (primary concern: on-premise and security): Consider Authgear or Keycloak
• Technology (primary concern: developer experience): Consider Authgear or Ory Kratos
• Retail/Hospitality (primary concern: ease of use for frontline workers): Consider Authgear or Authentik

Bottom Line

The open-source MFA landscape in 2026 offers mature, enterprise-ready options for every use case. The right choice depends on your technical requirements, deployment preferences, and available resources.

For organizations seeking a modern solution with comprehensive MFA capabilities and flexible hosting options, Authgear merits serious consideration. It delivers low-friction authentication with security enforced by default - including account lockout, bot detection, and rate limiting - while supporting advanced methods like passkeys and biometrics. Its pre-built UI and both self-hosted and managed deployment options make it a strong fit for teams that want flexibility without added complexity.

Ready to explore how Authgear can secure your enterprise applications? Schedule a demo to see the platform in action and discuss your specific requirements with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between open-source and commercial MFA solutions?

Open-source MFA solutions provide source code access, allowing organizations to audit security, customize functionality, and avoid vendor lock-in. Commercial solutions often provide more polished UX and dedicated support but at higher cost and with less transparency. Many open-source projects (including Authgear and Keycloak) offer commercial support options, providing a middle ground.

How difficult is it to migrate from one MFA solution to another?

Migration complexity depends on how deeply platform-specific features are embedded in your application. Exporting user records, mapping attributes to the new provider's schema, and reconfiguring applications  - including client IDs, redirect URIs, and token validation  - are all part of the process. MFA enrollments may require users to re-enroll if factor data cannot be exported. Many teams adopt a phased approach, running both systems in parallel during the transition period to minimize risk.

Should I choose cloud-hosted or self-hosted MFA?

The decision depends on your compliance requirements, technical capabilities, and risk tolerance. Self-hosted deployments provide maximum control and data sovereignty - essential for some regulated industries. Cloud-hosted options reduce operational burden and typically offer better uptime. Solutions like Authgear offer both options, allowing you to start with cloud and migrate to self-hosted later if requirements change.

What is adaptive MFA and why does it matter?

Adaptive MFA adjusts authentication requirements based on contextual signals  - such as user location, device, behavior patterns, and time of access. Low-risk scenarios might require only a password, while high-risk situations trigger additional factors. This balances security with user experience, reducing friction for legitimate users while maintaining protection against threats. When evaluating platforms, look for built-in security features like bot detection, rate limiting, and account lockout that help enforce risk-appropriate authentication.

How do passkeys compare to traditional MFA methods?

Passkeys (based on FIDO2/WebAuthn standards) are phishing-resistant credentials tied to specific devices. Unlike SMS OTP (which can be phished) or TOTP (which can be relayed), passkeys cannot be stolen through social engineering. They also provide superior user experience - no codes to type. Most modern MFA platforms now support passkeys, though implementation maturity varies.