Appwrite vs Keycloak

Open-source Firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider meets the swiss army knife of iam—if you don't mind sharpening it yourself. Here's our take.

Appwrite

Nice Pick

Open-source Firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider.

Pros

• Fully open-source with self-hosting on Docker for complete control
• Built-in authentication, databases, storage, and real-time features in one package
• RESTful and GraphQL APIs with auto-generated SDKs for multiple languages
• No vendor lock-in—migrate away anytime without rewriting your app

Cons

• Self-hosting requires DevOps skills and ongoing maintenance
• Less polished UI and documentation compared to commercial giants like Firebase
• Community support can be slower than paid enterprise options

Keycloak

The Swiss Army knife of IAM—if you don't mind sharpening it yourself.

Pros

• Open-source with robust SSO and OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect support
• Built-in user federation and social login integrations
• Fine-grained authorization policies for complex access control

Cons

• Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
• Can be resource-heavy and tricky to scale in production

The Verdict

Use Appwrite if: You want fully open-source with self-hosting on docker for complete control and can live with self-hosting requires devops skills and ongoing maintenance.

Use Keycloak if: You prioritize open-source with robust sso and oauth 2.0/openid connect support over what Appwrite offers.

The Bottom Line

Appwrite wins

Open-source Firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider.