Editorial take
Why it stands out
SpiceDB should be positioned as dedicated authorization infrastructure, not as a minor add-on to existing auth providers.
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Tool profile
Open-source Zanzibar-inspired authorization database from AuthZed, with managed cloud and dedicated commercial options around the core engine.
Fine-grained permissions infrastructure
SpiceDB is worth adding because it fills an increasingly important architectural role for teams that need relationship-based, fine-grained authorization at scale. The open-source project is AuthZed's Zanzibar-inspired authorization database, and it is a meaningfully different choice from embedded policy libraries. Instead of pushing every authorization decision back into app code, SpiceDB gives teams a dedicated system for permissions data and graph-shaped access decisions.
Its pricing story has two layers. The core SpiceDB project is open source and free to run yourself. Around that, AuthZed offers managed commercial options on its pricing page. The public pricing page clearly advertises that teams can get started for free and distinguishes Cloud, Dedicated, and Enterprise-style packaging, but the page is heavily app-rendered and not ideal for reliable static dollar scraping. The clean editorial framing is that SpiceDB is free as OSS, while AuthZed provides paid managed deployment paths that should be verified on the live pricing page.
Quick fit
Editorial take
SpiceDB should be positioned as dedicated authorization infrastructure, not as a minor add-on to existing auth providers.
What it does well
Primary use cases
Fit notes
Compare with
Pressure-test this pick against nearby alternatives.
Pricing snapshot
SpiceDB itself is open-source and free to self-host. AuthZed's official pricing page advertises a free getting-started path and commercial managed options across Cloud, Dedicated, and Enterprise-style packaging, with live details to be verified on the pricing page.
Auth0
Free planB2B SaaS selling into buyers expecting SAML, SCIM, and audit evidence
Identity platform for adding authentication, user management, SSO, and access control to apps.
Free: 25k MAU; Essentials/Professional self-serve: 500 MAU on public 2026 cards—confirm before budgeting.
