LinOTP vs OpenOTP Authentication Server

LinOTP is an open-source platform for multi-factor authentication, aimed at protecting digital identities and transactions. It supports factors including HOTP, TOTP, mOTP, OCRA, SMS and email codes, push, QR, YubiKey, FIDO U2F, WebAuthn, and other hardware tokens. Listed protocols include SAML, OIDC, ADFS, and RADIUS; app integration methods also include HTTP/JSON API, PAM, OpenVPN, SSH, Apache, and WordPress. LinOTP connects to Active Directory, LDAP, and SQL databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and DB2. A self-service portal lets users register, manage, and reset tokens, while hardware tokens can be resynchronized automatically. The maker describes offline authentication for Windows users without a permanent internet connection. Deployment options include a virtual appliance and containers for Kubernetes and other orchestration platforms. The maker says it can serve small installations through enterprises with thousands of users and distributed setups. The open-source software is listed at free under AGPLv3 and GPLv2; a demo license is also listed at free. LinOTP 3 packages are listed for Debian 10 Buster; RPM packages are currently available only for LinOTP 2.

OpenOTP Authentication Server is an authentication and identity management solution for multi-factor access, offered for cloud or on-premise deployment. It supports mobile push, smart-card certificates, secure magic links, YubiKey, FIDO2 passkeys and software tokens, alongside factors such as SMS, email, hardware tokens and OATH. Federated access options include SAML, OIDC and OAuth. Directory and identity integrations include Active Directory, LDAP, Entra ID, Okta, Google, Ping Identity and One Identity. The server also provides EAP network access control, mobile electronic signatures and mobile badging. Windows and macOS login plugins are listed, as are PAM plugins for Linux and macOS. OpenOTP is a WebADM sub-package and cannot be installed standalone. Pricing is on request, with a 30-day trial: the cloud trial supports up to 250 OpenOTP users and 50 SpanKey hosts; the on-premise trial supports up to 10 users and includes two active-active HA servers. The Freeware plan costs nothing and includes documentation and forum support only. Enterprise Edition is listed at €1.90 a year, and Enterprise Edition + SLA at €2.28 a year; both prices are shown per user/month based on 250 users and billed annually.