SimpleSAMLphp

Name: SimpleSAMLphp
Author: The SimpleSAMLphp contributors

Self-hosted PHP application that acts as a SAML 2.0 identity provider or service provider.

Open sourceBy The SimpleSAMLphp contributors

Free Open sourceSelf-hosted

Official websitesimplesamlphp.org

Download pagesimplesamlphp.org

Compare SimpleSAMLphp with another product

Read the SimpleSAMLphp documentation

Alternatives

Shibboleth Identity ProviderShibboleth Identity Provider is a long-established Apache-licensed SAML IdP used widely in research federations. Direct developer support requires consortium membership, and it is not PHP-based.
Apereo CASApereo CAS supports CAS, SAML, OAuth and OpenID Connect and offers Docker and Kubernetes deployment. It requires Java build tooling knowledge instead of a PHP server.
LemonLDAP::NGLemonLDAP::NG supports CAS, SAML and OpenID Connect, can bridge between protocols and adds attribute-based access rules. Its GPL-2.0 setup involves several components.
KeycloakKeycloak is a Java-based identity server supporting SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect with LDAP and Active Directory connections. It takes real administrative effort to secure.
CasdoorCasdoor is a self-hosted Apache-licensed server with a web UI that supports SAML along with OAuth, OIDC, CAS, LDAP and SCIM, plus several MFA options.
DexA federated OpenID Connect provider that exposes LDAP, SAML, GitHub and other logins as standard OIDC.

See all alternatives

About SimpleSAMLphp

SimpleSAMLphp is an authentication application written in PHP. Its main job is acting as a SAML 2.0 Service Provider or Identity Provider, which makes it a common way to add single sign-on to web services or to run an identity provider for an organisation or federation.

It also supports CAS, OpenID Connect, WS-Federation and OAuth, and can be extended with custom modules. The project is community-led with a governance board, and releases remain current, with version 2.5.3.1 published in August 2026.

Strengths

Works as both SAML 2.0 IdP and SP
Also speaks CAS, OpenID Connect, WS-Federation and OAuth
Extendable through custom modules
Active releases and community governance

Limitations

Requires a PHP server and SAML know-how to configure
No hosted version

Details

Pricing: FreeFree community project; donations fund development.
License: Open source, license not stated
Developer: The SimpleSAMLphp contributors
Platforms: Self-hosted
How it runs: Self-hosted
Best suited for: Organisations and federations running their own SAML single sign-on
Categories: IT administration
Last verified: October 2, 2026
Added: October 2, 2026
Sources: simplesamlphp.org

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