Product Introduction

1. Authgear ONCE is a self-hosted identity and access management (IAM) solution that enables organizations to deploy authentication infrastructure without recurring subscription fees. It provides full ownership of the software through a one-time payment model, allowing users to host it on their own servers or preferred cloud environments. The platform includes enterprise-grade authentication features such as passwordless login, single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
2. The core value lies in eliminating long-term vendor lock-in and reducing operational costs associated with SaaS-based IAM solutions. Users retain complete control over their identity data while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR. Authgear ONCE is designed for developers and agencies seeking predictable pricing and infrastructure independence.

Main Features

1. Authgear ONCE supports passwordless authentication and passkeys, enabling users to log in via biometrics, security keys, or magic links instead of traditional passwords. This reduces phishing risks and improves user experience through FIDO2/WebAuthn standards.
2. The platform offers single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, allowing seamless access to multiple applications with one set of credentials. It integrates with SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect protocols for cross-system compatibility.
3. A pre-built user management portal provides tools for role-based access control (RBAC), user activity monitoring, and bulk operations. Administrators can enforce security policies like brute-force protection and suspicious login detection in real time.

Problems Solved

1. Authgear ONCE addresses the financial burden of recurring SaaS subscription models by offering a perpetual license with no usage limits. This eliminates unpredictable costs for agencies managing multiple client projects.
2. The product targets software development agencies, enterprises, and privacy-focused organizations requiring full control over authentication infrastructure. It is particularly relevant for industries handling sensitive user data, such as healthcare or fintech.
3. Typical use cases include replacing Auth0/Okta in B2B SaaS applications, building custom authentication flows for client projects, and migrating legacy systems to modern identity protocols without vendor dependencies.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike cloud-first competitors like Auth0, Authgear ONCE operates on a self-hosted model with no mandatory third-party data storage. This ensures compliance with data residency requirements and reduces exposure to external breaches.
2. The platform includes two years of updates and security patches post-purchase, balancing long-term ownership with access to critical improvements. Updates are applied via a single CLI command, minimizing maintenance overhead.
3. Competitive advantages include native SDKs for 10+ frameworks (React, Flutter, Swift, etc.) and pre-built compliance templates for GDPR and ISO 27001. Deployment takes under 10 minutes using Docker or Kubernetes, with PostgreSQL as the only external dependency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I try Authgear ONCE before purchasing? Yes, Authgear Cloud’s free tier offers full feature access with Authgear branding and project limits for testing. This allows evaluation of SSO, MFA, and user management workflows without installation.
2. How are software updates handled? The license includes two years of updates delivered via secure channels, with version compatibility maintained through automated database migration scripts. Users control when to apply updates via CLI or CI/CD pipelines.
3. Is migration from Auth0 or Okta supported? Authgear provides an Import API to bulk-transfer user credentials, MFA configurations, and role assignments. The process preserves password hashes and supports SCIM for ongoing synchronization during transition periods.