Apache Syncope
Apache Syncope is open-source software for managing digital identities in enterprise environments.
What Apache Syncope is
Apache Syncope is open-source software for managing digital identities in enterprise environments. It keeps identity data consistent across repositories, formats, and models, while its provisioning layer handles users, groups, and other objects through inbound pulls and outbound propagation. A workflow layer manages identity lifecycles with a Flowable-based engine, approval management, and a web workflow editor.
Its identity and access capabilities include authentication, authorization, and federation using technologies such as SSO, OAuth, XACML, SAML, and OpenID Connect. The web Admin UI supports delegated administration; the End-user UI provides self-registration, self-service, and password resets. REST services are available through a Java client library or plain HTTP, and ConnId connectors link to identity stores alongside options such as SOAP, CSV, PowerShell, and Active Directory. Syncope supports directory synchronization and lifecycle provisioning, and lists TOTP, Duo Security, Google Authenticator, and FIDO2 WebAuthn passkeys for multi-factor authentication. It offers source and binary distributions under Apache License 2.0, including standalone distributions and Docker images. For listed vulnerabilities affecting earlier releases, Apache recommends upgrading to 4.0.8 or 4.1.3.
Good
- Supports directory synchronization and lifecycle provisioning
- Offers OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, and CAS
- Includes several listed MFA methods
- Supports delegated administration
Watch out
- Apache recommends specific upgrades for listed vulnerabilities
- The project demo is for evaluation purposes only
Who it suits
Syncope suits organizations managing identity data, provisioning, authentication, and delegated administration across systems. Its listed protocols and MFA methods may help teams assess whether its identity features match their requirements.
Verdict
Syncope covers identity synchronization, provisioning, workflows, and access management in an open-source package. Organizations should account for the upgrade guidance for listed vulnerabilities when evaluating releases.
Plans and prices
From Apache Syncope's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Syncope | Free | Open-source software under Apache License 2.0 · enterprise support and professional services offered by listed providers |
The facts
Each one read from Apache Syncope's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access management
- Its IAM scenario describes authentication, authorization, and federation using technologies including SSO, OAuth, XACML, SAML, and OpenID Connect.checked 11 Oct 2026
- API
- The Core exposes REST services for third-party applications, accessible through a Java client library or plain HTTP calls.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The downloads page provides source and binary distributions under Apache License 2.0, including standalone distributions and Docker images.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- The project demo is provided for evaluation purposes only.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Identity management
- It keeps identity data consistent and synchronized across repositories, data formats, and models.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Syncope uses ConnId connectors to connect with identity stores, with additional connectors such as SOAP, CSV, PowerShell, and Active Directory.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Multi-tenancy
- Domains can manage data for different tenants in separate database instances.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Provisioning
- Its provisioning layer manages internal and external representations of users, groups, and other objects, with inbound pull and outbound propagation or push.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apache Syncope is an open-source system for managing digital identities in enterprise environments.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- Syncope defines fine-grained entitlements for administrators to support delegated administration.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security advisories
- The Apache security advisory page recommends upgrading to 4.0.8 or 4.1.3 for listed vulnerabilities affecting earlier releases.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Storage and scale
- The reference guide says Syncope can scale to a million entities and lists PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Oracle as supported internal storage options.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs usage questions to its user mailing list and says enterprise support and professional services are provided by listed companies.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Web interfaces
- The Admin UI is a web console with delegated administration, while the End-user UI supports self-registration, self-service, and password reset.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- The workflow layer manages identity lifecycles and supports a Flowable-based engine with approval management and a web-based workflow editor.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Apache Syncope
- 1

Evolveum midPoint
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.8Free plan - 2
Microsoft Defender for Business
AndroidiOSAPImacOS7.5 - 3

IBM Verify
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.3From $15,899.29 a year - 4

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Secret Management
Free planWebAPI7.0Free plan - 5
Soffid Identity Governance Administration
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.9Free plan - 6

Symantec IT Management Suite
WebAPILinuxmacOS6.8
