Ory Hydra vs ZITADEL
A certified OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect server that uses your own login screens. ZITADEL provides identity management, SSO, passkeys, and multitenant login. Compare the capabilities you need, then check hosting, licensing and maintenance.
| Attribute | Ory Hydra | ZITADEL |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A certified OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect server that uses your own login screens. | ZITADEL provides identity management, SSO, passkeys, and multitenant login. |
| Documented capabilities | OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect flows, Token issuance and validation, OpenID Connect certified, Bring-your-own login and consent UI | Single sign-on, Passkeys, Multi-tenant organizations |
| Best-fit workflow | Teams that already manage users and need a standards-compliant token server. | ZITADEL provides identity management, SSO, passkeys, and multitenant login. |
| Check before choosing | Hydra does not store users or render login pages. You build or connect the login and consent app. | Check the project's current installation requirements and license terms before adoption. |
| Deployment options | Docker, Linux, macOS, and Windows binaries, Ory Network | Docker, Kubernetes |
| GitHub stars | 17,620 | 15,353 |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Docker noted | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud / hosted | Yes | Not recorded |
| Primary language | Go | Go |
| Last commit | 2026-07-29 | 2026-10-19 |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Not assessed |
| Content source | Editorial catalog entry | Editorial catalog entry |
| Metadata checked | 2026-10-20 | 2026-10-20 |
| Forks | 1.6k | 1.4k |
| Star growth | +6 (2026-10-17 to 2026-10-20) | +162 (2026-10-04 to 2026-10-20) |
| Alternative to | Not recorded | Auth0, Okta |
This comparison uses recorded capabilities, not hands-on performance tests. A capability missing from one record does not mean that product lacks it. Confirm edition, version and current pricing in the official documentation.
When to consider Ory Hydra
Teams that already manage users and need a standards-compliant token server.
Hydra does not store users or render login pages. You build or connect the login and consent app.
Ory Hydra documentation and sourceWhen to consider ZITADEL
ZITADEL provides identity management, SSO, passkeys, and multitenant login.
Check the project's current installation requirements and license terms before adoption.
ZITADEL documentation and sourceOry Hydra vs ZITADEL questions
- What is Ory Hydra?
- A certified OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect server that uses your own login screens.
- What is ZITADEL?
- ZITADEL provides identity management, SSO, passkeys, and multitenant login.
- Can you self-host Ory Hydra and ZITADEL?
- Both can be self-hosted.
- What licenses do Ory Hydra and ZITADEL use?
- Ory Hydra uses the Apache-2.0 license. ZITADEL uses the AGPL-3.0 license.
- Which has more GitHub stars, Ory Hydra or ZITADEL?
- Ory Hydra has 18k stars and ZITADEL has 15k. Stars show attention; check recent commits and releases for maintenance.
- What languages are Ory Hydra and ZITADEL written in?
- Both are mainly written in Go.