| Website | cerbos.dev |
| Category | Authorization |
| License | Open Source (Apache 2.0) |
| Pricing | Free open-source core; paid Cloud/Enterprise plans for hosted policies, support, and advanced controls |
Overview
Cerbos is an open-source policy engine that moves authorization into declarative YAML policies with fast SDK evaluation for apps and services.
Pros
- Declarative YAML policies keep authorization out of application code
- Broad SDK support for popular languages and frameworks
- Fast policy evaluation with local or sidecar deployment
- Supports RBAC, ABAC, and role hierarchy patterns
- Good developer experience with CLI and testing tools
Cons
- Advanced enterprise features may require paid plans
- Policy complexity can grow in large organizations
- Less mature ecosystem than established commercial authorization platforms
- Limited built-in UI for non-technical stakeholders in open-source version
Verdict
Cerbos excels at externalizing authorization into clear, testable YAML policies with low-latency evaluation. It is best for engineering teams adopting policy-as-code, especially in polyglot or microservice environments. The main trade-off is that advanced governance, UI, and enterprise controls sit behind paid plans.
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