Own Auth vs. Auth0
Auth0 is a managed identity platform with enterprise features and a large ecosystem. Own Auth runs its supported application authentication workflows in your backend on your Postgres database.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a Auth0 alternative
You want authentication records in your Postgres database, infrastructure costs under your control, and auth logic that lives in your codebase.
| Feature | Own Auth | Auth0 |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Hosted store or custom database connection |
| Open source | Fully open source | Proprietary |
| Framework lock-in | None | None |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Private deployment is an enterprise add-on |
| 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 | Available, limits vary by plan |
| API keys | Built in | M2M tokens |
| Audit logs | Built in | Available, retention and streaming vary |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Built in |
| Pricing | Free and open source | Free tier, paid plans and add-ons |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseAuth0
Hosted store or custom database connectionFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceAuth0
ProprietaryFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneAuth0
NoneFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendAuth0
Private deployment is an enterprise add-onFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Built inFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Built inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedAuth0
Token-basedFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Available, limits vary by planFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
M2M tokensFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Available, retention and streaming varyFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceAuth0
Free tier, paid plans and add-onsData ownership
Auth0 stores your users in their tenant. You can configure external databases, but the session and token layer stays with Auth0. Own Auth puts users, sessions, and tokens in your Postgres.
Pricing model
Auth0 publishes a free tier plus Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise plans whose MAU allowances, organisation limits, security features, and add-ons differ. Check the current pricing calculator for the intended B2C or B2B use case. The Own Auth library is fully open source and free to use, with infrastructure costs under your control.
Lock-in and migration
Applications using Auth0 Rules, Actions, and Universal Login need to replace those integrations during a migration. Own Auth keeps authentication routes and surrounding application logic in your codebase.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
Auth0 fits
You need enterprise SSO, compliance certifications, or a managed identity platform with a large ecosystem of integrations and dedicated support.
Own Auth fits
You want authentication records in your Postgres database, infrastructure costs under your control, and auth logic that lives in your codebase.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.