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Kanidm vs SSSD: catalog facts
Kanidm	SSSD
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source.
Linux, Self-hosted, Command line	Linux
OAuth2, LDAP and passkeys in a single server Unix integration for Linux logins	Joins Linux machines to Active Directory, FreeIPA or LDAP Uses remote identities and domain policies for login
Smaller ecosystem than long-established directory servers Requires running and securing your own server	Linux only Requires an existing directory or identity domain to connect to
Self-hosted	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.