Which is cheaper, FusionAuth or Zitadel?

FusionAuth is 2.7x cheaper than Zitadel. FusionAuth starts at $0/mo, Zitadel starts at $0/mo.

Does FusionAuth have a free tier?

Yes, FusionAuth offers a free tier with .

FusionAuth has moderate switching cost. Zitadel has moderate switching cost. Both have similar switching complexity.

Auth

FusionAuth

← More affordable

Full-featured auth platform with self-hosting option and MAU-based cloud pricing

Switching Cost: moderate

Zitadel

Open-source identity management with DAU-based cloud pricing

Switching Cost: moderate

You're paying a premium for Zitadel — expect around a 2.7x higher bill compared to FusionAuth.

Their pricing models diverge: FusionAuth uses tiered, while Zitadel operates on a flat-rate basis.

If budget is your primary constraint, FusionAuth is the clear winner with its more wallet-friendly pricing structure.

If budget is your primary constraint, FusionAuth is the clear winner with its more wallet-friendly pricing structure.

Price Difference

2.7x

FusionAuth is cheaper by $63/mo

Pricing Model

Different

Tools charge using different pricing philosophies