Own Auth vs. NextAuth / Auth.js
NextAuth, now Auth.js, focuses on authentication providers and sessions. Own Auth packages password, magic-link, phone, organisation, API-key, and audit workflows around application-owned Postgres data.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a NextAuth / Auth.js alternative
You want password, magic-link, phone, organisation, API-key, and audit workflows in one package with records stored in your Postgres database.
| Feature | Own Auth | NextAuth / Auth.js |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Adapter-dependent |
| Open source | Fully open source | Open source |
| Framework lock-in | None | Auth.js supports several frameworks |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Runs in your backend |
| Passwords | Built in | Credentials provider (discouraged) |
| Magic links | Built in | Email provider |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | Not built in |
| Sessions | Database-backed | JWT or database |
| Organisations | Built in | Not built in |
| API keys | Built in | Not built in |
| Audit logs | Built in | Not built in |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Not built in |
| Pricing | Free and open source | Free and open source |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseNextAuth / Auth.js
Adapter-dependentFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceNextAuth / Auth.js
Open sourceFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneNextAuth / Auth.js
Auth.js supports several frameworksFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendNextAuth / Auth.js
Runs in your backendFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Credentials provider (discouraged)Feature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Email providerFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Not built inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedNextAuth / Auth.js
JWT or databaseFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Not built inFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Not built inFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Not built inFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inNextAuth / Auth.js
Not built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceNextAuth / Auth.js
Free and open sourceScope
Auth.js connects applications to authentication providers, manages sessions, and handles callbacks. Password storage, organisation membership, application API keys, and application audit events remain separate concerns. Own Auth packages those supported workflows with email and password authentication.
Password authentication
Auth.js exposes a Credentials provider for applications that supply their own credential verification. Own Auth supplies the password workflow with Argon2id hashing, authentication rate limiting, and safe authentication errors.
Data ownership
Auth.js stores session and user data through database adapters. The schema and query layer are managed by the adapter. With Own Auth, the tables are in your Postgres database and the schema is documented. You can query, back up, and extend it directly.
Framework support
Auth.js started as NextAuth.js for Next.js and has expanded to support SvelteKit, SolidStart, Express, and other frameworks under the Auth.js name. Own Auth is framework-independent from the start. It is a library you call from any Node.js-compatible backend.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
NextAuth / Auth.js fits
You primarily need OAuth social login, want a provider-based model with many pre-built integrations, and can add missing features like organisations and rate limiting yourself.
Own Auth fits
You want password, magic-link, phone, organisation, API-key, and audit workflows in one package with records stored in your Postgres database.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.