Cloud IAM Alternative for Managed Keycloak: Inteca vs Cloud-IAM
As enterprise security and platform engineering evolve, identity and access management (IAM) has shifted from a backend IT problem to a core infrastructure concern. Organizations today demand IAM platforms that integrate with CI/CD workflows, scale with Kubernetes, and deliver secure access to resources across hybrid environments.
Both Inteca and Cloud-IAM offer managed Keycloak services designed to meet these needs. Keycloak, as an open-source identity and access management platform, enables federated identity management, adaptive access, and detailed access control. However, running Keycloak at scale involves complex configuration, lifecycle management, and security hardening, leading many organizations to choose managed service providers.
At Inteca, we deliver Red Hat-certified, Kubernetes-native Keycloak services tailored for enterprise environments. Cloud-IAM also provides managed Keycloak, positioned for cloud-based setups. This article compares our managed Keycloak approach with Cloud-IAM’s offering, giving technical leaders a side-by-side view of options for IAM across cloud and on-premises environments.
What does IAM stand for and why it matters more than ever
IAM stands for Identity and Access Management. It encompasses tools and strategies that ensure only authorized users can access the right resources at the right time. This includes user access provisioning, access permissions, and identity governance.
A strong IAM solution underpins digital security. It verifies digital identities, manages access to resources and supports compliance with frameworks like GDPR and NIS2. A user-friendly identity and access management approach not only improves workforce identity productivity but also streamlines access to enterprise apps through capabilities like Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
IAM tools like Keycloak, Ping Identity, CyberArk Workforce Identity, and Google Cloud IAM provide fine-grained access control and context-aware access, securing cloud services and on-prem infrastructure against unauthorized access.
How to run Keycloak as a managed service
Running Keycloak as a managed service means leveraging a provider to host, manage, and secure the IAM environment. This includes handling patches, scaling, backups, and integrations with other tools such as AWS IAM and Google Cloud IAM, which offer detailed access control and federated identity management.
Providers like Inteca and Cloud-IAM deliver Keycloak as a secure, production-ready IAM platform. You avoid managing the identity server, infrastructure provisioning, or complex access configurations yourself.
Inteca uses Kubernetes-native methods to offer unified management and granular access controls. You can declaratively manage user permissions and access rights, group management, device management, and access control policies across environments.
Cloud-IAM focuses on cloud-based identity and access management simplicity, offering a quick setup for teams needing access management across cloud platforms.
Is Keycloak a service provider?
Yes—Keycloak is an open-source identity provider that offers federated identity management and cloud IAM capabilities. It supports OIDC, SAML, and OAuth2, which allow users to access multiple applications securely through standard protocols.
As an identity management solution, Keycloak integrates with enterprise systems like Active Directory, AWS IAM, and Google Cloud Platform. It supports user access provisioning, lifecycle management, and role-based access control, enabling fine-grained access policies and context-aware access decisions.
Inteca vs Cloud-IAM: Which managed Keycloak provider is right for you?
Choosing between Inteca and Cloud-IAM depends on your identity management strategies and access management requirements. Here’s how they compare:
1. Architecture and Deployment Control
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Inteca delivers Kubernetes-native IAM solutions using GitOps and Helm, ideal for teams needing unified access management across cloud and on-premises environments.
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Cloud-IAM provides cloud services hosting with simplified setup but abstracts deeper control.
2. Red Hat Support and Commercial Keycloak
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Inteca as advanced Red Hat partner offers the Red Hat-supported Keycloak build with full SLA coverage and lifecycle management.
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Cloud-IAM supports only the open-source Keycloak version, with fewer guarantees for complex access scenarios.
3. Customization and Extensibility
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Inteca enables advanced customization, access control integration, identity governance workflows, and fine-grained access configurations.
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Cloud-IAM provides extensibility, focus on deployments for access management strategy at a scale.
4. Security and Compliance
| Security Feature | Inteca | Cloud-IAM |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR Compliance | EU-hosting, hybrid & on-prem | ISO 27001 |
| Adaptive MFA | Integrated, context-aware flows | Available |
| Passwordless Auth | WebAuthn, FIDO2, passkeys | WebAuthn, FIDO2, passkeys |
5. Pricing Transparency and SLA Support
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Inteca uses infrastructure-based pricing: no user caps or MAU charges. Pricing scales with access management capabilities and complexity. Focus mainly on large deployments. Inteca SLA Options Includes Bronze to Platinum tiers, all with 24/7 support and a 30-day Early Life Support program post-deployment.
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Cloud-IAM uses tiered pricing based on Monthly Active Users (MAU), suitable for small to large deployments. Offers three tiers of support.
Which should you choose? Inteca or Cloud-IAM?
Choose Inteca if you:
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Need a scalable IAM platform for complex access and federated identity management
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Manage access across cloud, on-premises or hybrid for regulated environments
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Require enterprise IAM solution capabilities like identity governance and privileged access management
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Prefer architecture-based pricing and SLA-backed 24/7 support based in Europe
Choose Cloud-IAM if you:
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Need fast IAM setup with basic access control policies
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Want to test cloud IAM capabilities with minimal configuration
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Are focused on lightweight user management and user identity verification
- Look for ISO 27001 certified end-to-end, with 24/7 support and based in Europe
Final thoughts
The landscape of identity and access is expanding fast. Whether you’re integrating with AWS Identity and Access Management, Google Cloud IAM, or deploying a unified management solution for digital identities, your IAM tool must fit your scale and strategy.
Managed Keycloak providers like Inteca and Cloud-IAM offer different access management capabilities. Inteca provides a comprehensive identity platform for enterprises, while Cloud-IAM targets developer-friendly setups.
If your IAM infrastructure needs to support adaptive access, detailed access control, and management across cloud and on-premises, Inteca helps you build a secure access architecture without vendor lock-in.
