Open Source alternative to Cognito in 2026
We compare 1 self-hostable tool you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ory Lightest option100% FOSSMost popular on GitHub | Apache-2.0 | ~1GB | ✅ | ★ ~13,900 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to Auth0, Cognito
API-first identity suite, an alternative to Auth0/Cognito.
How much does Cognito cost, and how much can you save?
Cognito charges a recurring monthly fee. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add Ory to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a Cognito alternative?
Yes: the only alternative on this list has a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml. You just need Docker installed on your server.
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is Ory, which runs on as little as 1GB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on Cognito?
Yes, it's 100% FOSS: no paid plan or locked features when self-hosted.