Privy was acquired by Stripe in June 2025, marking a major shift in the embedded wallet landscape. Privy now operates under Stripe's umbrella, integrating with Bridge (Stripe's $1.1B stablecoin acquisition) to create a unified crypto and fiat payment platform. While this brings powerful payment capabilities, developers looking for Privy alternatives face questions about vendor lock-in and ecosystem dependency.
Why Developers Look for Privy Alternatives
Since Stripe's acquisition, developers have been evaluating Privy alternatives for several reasons:
- Stripe ecosystem lock-in: Privy is now deeply integrated with Stripe's infrastructure
- Open-source sovereignty: Privy uses proprietary TEE infrastructure that cannot be self-hosted
- Smart account limitations: Privy relies on third-party integrations (Alchemy, Zerodev) for smart accounts rather than native support
- Performance requirements: Privy's 175ms signing latency may not meet performance-critical use cases
- Pricing at scale: $299/month for 2,500 MAUs can escalate quickly for growing applications
What to Look for in a Privy Alternative
When evaluating alternatives, consider these key criteria:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Key Management | Open-source vs proprietary determines your sovereignty and audit capability |
| Smart Account Support | Native ERC-4337/7702 support vs third-party integrations affects feature depth |
| Signing Performance | Sub-100ms signing is critical for real-time UX (games, trading) |
| Authentication Flexibility | Can you use your own auth provider (Auth0, Firebase) or are you locked to their system? |
| Vendor Lock-in | Can you export keys and migrate users if needed? |
| Pricing Model | MAU-based vs usage-based affects economics depending on your user behavior |
What are the Best Privy Alternatives?
The best Privy alternatives in 2026 are Openfort, Turnkey, and Thirdweb.
- Openfort is the top choice for developers who need open-source infrastructure (OpenSigner), native smart account features, and sub-100ms signing without vendor lock-in.
- Turnkey excels at low-level programmable signing infrastructure with the fastest TEE-based performance (50-100ms).
- Thirdweb offers an all-in-one platform if you want bundled tools beyond just wallets.
Note: Several former competitors have been acquired—Dynamic is now part of Fireblocks, Web3Auth is part of MetaMask/Consensys, and Sequence is part of Polygon Labs. These acquisitions may affect their independence and strategic direction.
1. Openfort
Openfort (that's us 👋) is an open-source wallet infrastructure solution that provides powerful wallet capabilities to abstract crypto complexity for both users and developers. Our platform allows developers to plug and play any signer (including OpenSigner) and contract they prefer, simplifying everything from cross-app ecosystems and AI agents to fintech and DeFi.
Why Choose Openfort Over Privy
- If you're concerned about Stripe ecosystem lock-in after the acquisition, Openfort is fully open-source with exportable keys
- If you need faster signing (125ms median vs Privy's 175ms) for real-time applications
- If you want native smart accounts with built-in session keys, gas sponsorship, and policy engines—not third-party integrations
- If you want to use your own auth provider (Auth0, Firebase, any OIDC) instead of Privy's authentication
Comparison Table: Openfort vs. Privy
| Feature | Openfort | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | ✅ OpenSigner (MIT) | ❌ Proprietary |
| Signing Speed | 125ms median | 175ms median |
| Key Management | SSS (Self-hostable) | TEE (Proprietary) |
| Smart Wallets | ✅ Native (4337, 7702) | ⚠️ Third-party integrations |
| Authentication | Any OIDC Provider | Socials / Email / Wallets |
| Pricing | Free 1,000 MAUs | Free 500 MAUs, then $299/mo |
| Vendor Lock-in | ❌ None (Exportable) | ⚠️ High (Stripe ecosystem) |
| Gas Sponsorship | ✅ Native Policy Engine | ⚠️ Basic |
| Parent Company | Independent | Stripe |
| Server/Backend Wallet | ✅ Backend Wallet | ✅ Server Wallet |
| Permission Model | On-chain (session keys) | Off-chain (policy API) |
Scaling Considerations
- Openfort: Free tier up to 1,000 MAUs and 500 transactions. Usage-based pricing beyond that with transparent costs.
- Privy: Free under 500 MAUs, then $299/mo for 2,500 MAUs. Costs escalate quickly at scale.
For a 10,000 MAU app: Privy would cost approximately $599-999/month, while Openfort's usage-based model often costs significantly less depending on transaction volume.
Why developers choose Openfort
Developers choose Openfort when they want Privy-like smooth onboarding but demand open-source infrastructure, faster signing, native smart account features, and no vendor lock-in—especially important now that Privy is part of Stripe.
2. Turnkey
Turnkey offers secure, programmable key management infrastructure built by the team that created Coinbase Custody. Turnkey provides low-level APIs to generate and sign with keys securely using TEEs (Trusted Execution Environments).
Why Choose Turnkey Over Privy
- If you need the fastest signing (50-100ms vs Privy's 175ms)
- If you want to build your own wallet stack with complete control
- If you're building for AI agents or high-frequency automated signing
- If you prefer usage-based pricing over MAU-based
Comparison Table: Turnkey vs. Privy
| Feature | Turnkey | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Infrastructure API | Product SDK |
| Signing Speed | 50-100ms | 175ms |
| Flexibility | ✅ Build anything | ⚠️ SDK constraints |
| Security | TEE (Verifiable) | TEE (Proprietary) |
| Pricing | $0.10/signature (volume discounts) | MAU-based |
| UI Components | ❌ Build your own | ✅ React hooks |
| Smart Accounts | ❌ Build your own | ⚠️ Third-party |
| Server Wallet | ✅ Server Signing | ✅ Server Wallet |
| Permission Model | Off-chain (strong policy API) | Off-chain (strong policy API) |
Scaling Considerations
Turnkey charges $0.10 per signature after 25 free signatures, with Pro tier discounts down to $0.01 per signature at volume.
- High transaction volume: Turnkey is often more economical than Privy for apps with many transactions per user
- AI agents & automations: Both Turnkey and Privy offer strong off-chain policy APIs for server-side operations. Turnkey's is particularly robust for autonomous systems.
Why developers choose Turnkey
Teams choose Turnkey to build their own version of Privy, maintaining full control over UX and security. It's the choice for developers who want infrastructure, not a product.
3. Thirdweb
Thirdweb offers a full stack of web3 tools, including embedded wallets ("In-App Wallets"), smart accounts, and contract deployment. Their approach is "all-in-one" rather than specialized.
Why Choose Thirdweb Over Privy
- If you want bundled tools beyond just wallets (contracts, payments, indexing)
- If you prefer a generous free tier for getting started
- If you want ecosystem wallets for multi-app identity
Comparison Table: Thirdweb vs. Privy
| Feature | Thirdweb | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Full Stack Platform | Onboarding Focus |
| Smart Accounts | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Third-party |
| Contract Tools | ✅ Extensive | ❌ |
| Pricing | Generous free tier | $299/mo at 2.5k MAU |
| Ecosystem Wallets | ✅ Multi-app identity | ✅ Cross-app |
| 700+ Chains | ✅ | ✅ |
| Server Wallet | ✅ Engine (self-hostable) | ✅ Server Wallet |
| Permission Model | On-chain (smart wallets) | Off-chain (policy API) |
Scaling Considerations
Thirdweb's generous free tier makes it cost-effective for early-stage projects. If you're already using Thirdweb for contracts and RPC, the wallet comes as part of the package.
For server-side operations, Thirdweb offers Engine (self-hostable backend) with on-chain permissions via smart wallets, while Privy uses off-chain policy APIs.
Why developers choose Thirdweb
Developers choose Thirdweb when they want a "one-stop-shop" for all web3 needs rather than assembling specialized tools.
4. Dynamic (Now Part of Fireblocks)
Dynamic was acquired by Fireblocks in 2025. Dynamic offers a polished wallet connection UI widget with strong multi-chain support (EVM, Solana, Cosmos).
Post-Acquisition Considerations
- Strategic uncertainty: As part of Fireblocks, Dynamic's roadmap may shift toward enterprise use cases
- Potential benefits: Access to Fireblocks' security infrastructure
- Potential risks: Less focus on startup/developer experience
Comparison Table: Dynamic vs. Privy
| Feature | Dynamic | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| UI Philosophy | Polished Widget | Headless / Custom |
| Multi-chain | ✅ EVM, Solana, Cosmos | ✅ EVM, Solana, BTC |
| Pricing | $249/mo (5k MAU) | $299/mo (2.5k MAU) |
| Parent Company | Fireblocks | Stripe |
| Smart Accounts | ⚠️ Third-party | ⚠️ Third-party |
| Server Wallet | ✅ Server Wallet | ✅ Server Wallet |
| Permission Model | Off-chain (basic) | Off-chain (strong) |
Why developers choose Dynamic
Teams choose Dynamic for its beautiful, plug-and-play UI widget, though the Fireblocks acquisition may change its trajectory.
5. Web3Auth (Now Part of MetaMask)
Web3Auth was acquired by MetaMask/Consensys. Web3Auth popularized MPC-based social logins, allowing users to sign in with Google or social accounts.
Post-Acquisition Considerations
- MetaMask integration: Expect deeper integration with MetaMask's ecosystem
- MPC limitations: Slower signing due to MPC ceremony (~500ms+)
- Strategic direction: May focus more on MetaMask Snaps ecosystem
Comparison Table: Web3Auth vs. Privy
| Feature | Web3Auth | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Key Tech | MPC TSS | TEE |
| Signing Speed | ~500ms+ (MPC) | 175ms |
| Pricing | $69/mo (3k MAU) | $299/mo (2.5k MAU) |
| Parent Company | MetaMask/Consensys | Stripe |
| Smart Accounts | ❌ Not native | ⚠️ Third-party |
Why developers choose Web3Auth
Web3Auth remains the cheapest option for basic social login functionality, though the MetaMask acquisition may change its direction.
6. Sequence (Now Part of Polygon Labs)
Sequence was acquired by Polygon Labs for $125M in January 2026. Sequence is a gaming-focused wallet infrastructure with Unity/Unreal SDKs.
Post-Acquisition Considerations
- Polygon focus: Sequence is now part of Polygon's "Open Money Stack" initiative for stablecoin payments
- Gaming strength: Remains the only verified EVM wallet solution on Unity Asset Store
- Multi-chain questions: May prioritize Polygon ecosystem over other chains
Comparison Table: Sequence vs. Privy
| Feature | Sequence | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Games | Consumer Apps |
| Game SDKs | ✅ Unity, Unreal | ❌ |
| Marketplaces | ✅ Built-in | ❌ |
| Parent Company | Polygon Labs | Stripe |
| Smart Wallet | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Third-party |
Why developers choose Sequence
Game studios choose Sequence for gaming-specific features (Unity SDK, marketplaces, indexers), though the Polygon acquisition may influence chain priorities.
7. Coinbase Smart Wallet (Base Ecosystem)
The Coinbase Smart Wallet provides passkey-enabled smart wallets optimized for the Base ecosystem.
Comparison Table: Coinbase vs. Privy
| Feature | Coinbase Smart Wallet | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem | Base-optimized | Multi-chain |
| Passkeys | ✅ Native | ✅ |
| Cost | Free | Paid SaaS |
| Customization | Low | High |
| Lock-in | Coinbase ecosystem | Stripe ecosystem |
| Server Wallet | ✅ CDP Wallet | ✅ Server Wallet |
| Permission Model | On-chain (Smart Wallet) | Off-chain (policy API) |
Why developers choose Coinbase Smart Wallet
Apps building primarily on Base who want to tap into Coinbase's user base without managing wallet infrastructure. For server-side operations, Coinbase offers CDP Wallet with on-chain permissions via Smart Wallet.
Building In-House
Building your own onboarding stack is the ultimate alternative to Privy.
Pros
- Total Customization: Build the exact flow you want
- No SaaS Fees: No monthly per-user costs
- Complete Ownership: Full control over security model
Cons
- Complexity: Handle MPC/TEE security, recovery flows, cross-device sync
- Maintenance: 3-6 months to build, ongoing security patches
- Opportunity Cost: Engineering time not spent on your core product
For a deeper dive, check out our guide on building vs buying wallet infrastructure.
Recommendation by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended Alternative |
|---|---|
| Need open-source sovereignty | Openfort |
| Building real-time apps (games, trading) | Openfort or Turnkey |
| Want all-in-one platform | Thirdweb |
| Building AI agents | Turnkey or Openfort |
| Gaming with Unity/Unreal | Sequence (now Polygon) |
| Lowest cost social login | Web3Auth (now MetaMask) |
| Building on Base ecosystem | Coinbase Smart Wallet |
| Want Stripe payment integration | Stay with Privy |
Conclusion
Privy remains a solid choice if you're building on Stripe's ecosystem and want deep stablecoin payment integration.
However, if you need open-source sovereignty, faster signing performance, native smart account capabilities, or want to avoid ecosystem lock-in, Openfort provides the infrastructure you need to grow without limits.
The embedded wallet market has consolidated around major players (Stripe, Fireblocks, MetaMask, Polygon). For teams that value independence and flexibility, open-source alternatives are more important than ever.
Get started with Openfort — 1,000 MAUs free, no credit card required. See also: Web3Auth alternatives, Turnkey alternatives, MetaMask alternatives.