Authgear

Overview

Authgear is an identity and access platform for teams building web and mobile apps that need to manage sign-in and user accounts. It suits developers who want a choice of authentication methods, app-level SSO and the option to self-host. Its broad toolkit is balanced by modest application and log-retention allowances on the lower plans.

Its open-source approach offers an exit route: Authgear says users can self-host, migrate or switch to any OIDC-compliant provider. The hosted service currently runs in the USA on physical infrastructure using Google Cloud Platform data centers. Authgear states that it is ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II compliant.

A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to any SaaS plan.

Key features

Authentication choices

Sign-in can use email, phone, username or password, as well as one-time passcodes and magic links. Google, Apple and Azure Active Directory are among the supported identity providers. Passkeys and mobile biometric login add passwordless options, while multi-factor authentication can use SMS, email verification or TOTP authenticator apps. That range can serve consumer apps and workforce authentication needs, though SMS and WhatsApp usage is metered on paid plans.

Access and user management

Single sign-on spans multiple web and mobile applications, with SAML SSO for web apps. The user-management portal handles password resets, account locking, scheduled deletion or anonymization, and profile management. Those account-lifecycle controls matter for teams that need more than a sign-in screen.

Developer tools and integrations

Official SDKs cover React, React Native, Ionic, native Android, iOS and Flutter. OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, Admin, User Import and User Export APIs give developers routes for authentication, administration and moving user records. Listed integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Mailgun, Postmark, SendGrid, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp and Zapier.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes unlimited MAUs, 100 SMS/WhatsApp messages, 2 applications, 2 admin seats and 1 day of log retention, with community support. It is a practical starting point for a small project, but the two-app cap and one-day logs constrain teams managing several environments or investigating older events.

Developers costs $50 a month and keeps the same unlimited MAUs, 2 applications, 2 admin seats and 1 day of log retention. SMS/WhatsApp becomes metered and support upgrades to priority email. It makes sense when a project needs paid-plan support, but the short retention and two-seat ceiling remain.

Business costs $500 a month. It includes 25,000 MAUs, with additional MAUs at +$50/5k MAUs, metered SMS/WhatsApp, 5 applications, 5 admin seats and 60 days of log retention, plus a dedicated Slack channel. The higher application and seat limits and longer logs better suit an operating team, though growth beyond the included MAUs adds cost.

Enterprise has custom pricing and includes volume discounts, data residency, a custom SMS gateway, a tailored SLA and a dedicated account manager. It is the fit for organizations needing those controls or terms rather than a fixed public price. Free has community support, Developers priority email support, Business a dedicated Slack channel and Enterprise a dedicated account manager.

Platforms

Authgear supports Android, iOS, web, APIs and self-hosting. Its official SDKs span major web and mobile frameworks, including Flutter and native mobile development, while the APIs support integrations beyond those SDKs.

Who it's for

Authgear is strongest for app teams that want multiple sign-in methods, user-management controls and SSO in one platform, especially if open source and self-hosting are important. Teams should compare plans carefully if they need more than two applications or admin seats on the entry tiers, or longer log retention without moving to Business.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Multiple sign-in methods, passkeys, biometrics and MFA let teams support different user preferences and security approaches.
• Pro: SSO, account-lifecycle tools and user import/export APIs cover both access and ongoing account administration.
• Pro: Open-source self-hosting and OIDC-provider portability give teams deployment choice and a stated path to switch providers.
• Con: Free and Developers both cap teams at 2 applications, 2 admin seats and 1 day of log retention.
• Con: Business is $500 a month before any added MAU charges, and SMS/WhatsApp usage is metered on both paid plans.

Alternatives

Choose Descope if its free plan's 7,500 MAUs, 10 monthly active tenants and 3 SSO connections better match your initial requirements; its SDKs are open source.

Authio Lobby is another free option, with a Developer plan for projects under 10,000 MAUs and passwordless methods, but it does not include SSO, SCIM or Locate.

Consider Logto as another freemium identity platform if its available plans and supported platforms suit your project.

SecureAuth Workforce Authority is a paid workforce-identity option with custom-quote pricing that varies by identity type.

Ory is worth comparing if you want a developer tier or a production plan priced at $770 a year.

cidaas offers a 30-day trial of its FREE Customer IAM plan, with 500 registered users, core authentication functions and community support.

Secret Double Octopus is an alternative with cloud and web application, VPN and VDI offerings, as well as an enterprise workforce passwordless MFA plan.

Kinde is another freemium option; its Free plan includes 10,500 MAU and charges 0.7% per transaction when billing customers with Kinde.

For a wider comparison, browse Passkey Authentication Software or Customer Identity and Access Management Software.

Verdict

Authgear is a strong choice for app developers who want varied authentication, user administration and SSO with the flexibility to self-host or move between OIDC-compliant providers. Its clearest drawback is the gap between the limited Free and Developers allowances and the much larger Business plan; teams with modest application and logging needs should start on Free, while those needing more seats, apps or retention should weigh the Business cost against their requirements.