Own Auth vs. Auth0
Auth0 is a full identity platform with enterprise features and a large ecosystem. Own Auth is a library that gives you the same core primitives running on your own infrastructure.
| Feature | Own Auth | Auth0 |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Their cloud |
| Open source | Core is open source | Proprietary |
| Framework lock-in | None | None |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Hosted only |
| 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 | Built in |
| API keys | Built in | M2M tokens |
| Audit logs | Built in | Enterprise plan |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Built in |
| Pricing | Free (core) | Free tier, then per-MAU |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseAuth0
Their cloudFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Core is open sourceAuth0
ProprietaryFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneAuth0
NoneFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendAuth0
Hosted onlyFeature
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
Built inFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
M2M tokensFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Enterprise planFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inAuth0
Built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free (core)Auth0
Free tier, then per-MAUData 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's pricing scales with monthly active users and features. Enterprise features like audit logs, MFA policies, and branding require higher tiers. Own Auth's core features are all included and free.
Lock-in and migration
Auth0's Rules, Actions, and Universal Login are proprietary extension points. Migrating away means rewriting those integrations. Own Auth is just a library, so your auth logic is regular code in your app.
Choose Auth0 if...
You need enterprise SSO, compliance certifications, or a managed identity platform with a large ecosystem of integrations and dedicated support.
Choose Own Auth if...
You want full ownership of your user data, predictable costs regardless of scale, and auth logic that lives in your codebase, not a vendor dashboard.