ZITADEL

Swiss open-source IAM with a modern UI.

Identity

Self-hosted

Hosting: Self-hosted Reviewed

Apache-2.0 identity platform you run yourself.

FES Scores 9

Pillar	Criterion	Score	Evidence
Easy	Day-one UX Can non-technical staff use it without a project?	3	Polished console; still an IAM project. Source
Easy	Operate Admin burden, updates, backups and language coverage.	2	You operate upgrades and HA. Source
Easy	Integrate SSO, mail/CalDAV, APIs and common NGO connectors.	5	OIDC, SAML and modern APIs. Source
Fair	Lock-in / exit Can you leave with your data in open formats, at known cost?	5	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): self-host + open-source path supports exit with your data. Source
Fair	Sovereignty EU legal entity, EU hosting, and exposure to extra-EU lawful access?	4	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): non-EU vendor; self-host still lets you pick EU infra — verify update/support exposure. Source
Fair	Openness Open source or open standards? Are independent implementations possible?	5	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): license classified as open-source family. Source
Secure	IT security Authentication, encryption, patch cadence and independent audit.	4	Security depends on your deployment. Source
Secure	User security 2FA, roles, phishing resistance and safe defaults.	4	Passkeys and MFA are first-class. Source
Secure	Personal data GDPR fit: DPA, residency, sub-processors and Schrems II posture.	4	Identity data stays on your infra. Source

Indicative scores from public information — how we score.

Hosting: Global SaaS Reviewed

Managed ZITADEL with European options.

FES Scores 9

Pillar	Criterion	Score	Evidence
Easy	Day-one UX Can non-technical staff use it without a project?	4	Faster than self-hosting for small IT teams. Source
Easy	Operate Admin burden, updates, backups and language coverage.	5	Vendor operates the control plane. Source
Easy	Integrate SSO, mail/CalDAV, APIs and common NGO connectors.	5	Easy OIDC for SaaS apps NGOs already use. Source
Fair	Lock-in / exit Can you leave with your data in open formats, at known cost?	2	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): global SaaS APIs/export exist, but suite gravity and remapping remain. Source
Fair	Sovereignty EU legal entity, EU hosting, and exposure to extra-EU lawful access?	1	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): non-EU legal entity + global SaaS — high extra-EU lawful-access exposure. Source
Fair	Openness Open source or open standards? Are independent implementations possible?	5	Rule baseline (rubric_v1): license classified as open-source family. Source
Secure	IT security Authentication, encryption, patch cadence and independent audit.	4	Managed hardening and updates. Source
Secure	User security 2FA, roles, phishing resistance and safe defaults.	4	MFA and passkeys included. Source
Secure	Personal data GDPR fit: DPA, residency, sub-processors and Schrems II posture.	4	Review subprocessors and region in the DPA. Source

Indicative scores from public information — how we score.