Ory Hydra: The Open-Source OAuth2 Server Powering ChatGPT
2025-03-20

Ory Hydra, initially a Go-based Keycloak alternative, evolved from a less flexible initial design to become a robust OAuth2 server. Focusing on building Ory Fosite, a library for OpenID Connect-compliant OAuth2 servers, and simplifying by removing user management, Ory Hydra now boasts impressive performance, reaching thousands of auth flows per second. The project's success is highlighted by its use in OpenAI's OAuth2 infrastructure, showcasing the importance of choosing clear, scalable technology and continuous optimization. This open-source project demonstrates a compelling journey from a student project to powering web-scale services.
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