Okta vs Appwrite

The identity glue that holds your SaaS sprawl together, if you can afford the sticker shock meets open-source firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider. Here's our take.

Okta

Nice Pick

The identity glue that holds your SaaS sprawl together, if you can afford the sticker shock.

Pros

• Seamless SSO integration with thousands of apps
• Robust MFA and security policies out of the box
• Great for managing user lifecycles in hybrid environments

Cons

• Pricing can make CFOs weep
• Admin console feels like navigating a maze

Appwrite

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

The Verdict

Use Okta if: You want seamless sso integration with thousands of apps and can live with pricing can make cfos weep.

Use Appwrite if: You prioritize fully open-source with self-hosting on docker for complete control over what Okta offers.

The Bottom Line

Okta wins

The identity glue that holds your SaaS sprawl together, if you can afford the sticker shock.