Own Auth vs. SuperTokens
SuperTokens is open source with both self-hosted and managed options. Own Auth is a library that runs entirely in your backend, with no separate service to deploy or manage.
| Feature | Own Auth | SuperTokens |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Self-host or their cloud |
| Open source | Core is open source | Open source |
| Framework lock-in | None | None |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Separate service |
| Passwords | Built in | Built in |
| Magic links | Built in | Built in |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | Built in |
| Sessions | Database-backed | Token-based |
| Organisations | Built in | Multi-tenancy |
| API keys | Built in | Not available |
| Audit logs | Built in | Not available |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Built in |
| Pricing | Free (core) | Free core, paid features |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseSuperTokens
Self-host or their cloudFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Core is open sourceSuperTokens
Open sourceFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneSuperTokens
NoneFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendSuperTokens
Separate serviceFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Built inFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Built inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedSuperTokens
Token-basedFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Multi-tenancyFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Not availableFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Not availableFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inSuperTokens
Built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free (core)SuperTokens
Free core, paid featuresArchitecture
SuperTokens runs as a separate service (their core) that your app talks to via HTTP. You deploy and manage that service alongside your app. Own Auth is a library. It runs inside your process and talks directly to your database. No extra service to deploy, monitor, or scale.
Data ownership
With self-hosted SuperTokens, your data is in your database, but it's managed by their core service. With Own Auth, your application code talks to Postgres directly. The schema is yours to query, extend, and back up however you like.
Developer experience
SuperTokens provides pre-built UI and a recipe-based API. Own Auth gives you typed functions. You build the UI and call the functions. More work up front, but nothing between you and your auth logic.
Choose SuperTokens if...
You want an open-source solution with pre-built UI components, don't mind running a separate auth service, and prefer a recipe-based approach.
Choose Own Auth if...
You want auth as a library in your app with no separate service to deploy, direct database access, and full control over every auth flow.