Own Auth vs. Better Auth
Better Auth and Own Auth are both open-source auth libraries. They share a philosophy of running in your backend. The differences are in plugin architecture, feature scope, and how sessions work.
| Feature | Own Auth | Better Auth |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Your database |
| Open source | Core is open source | Open source |
| Framework lock-in | None | None |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Runs in your backend |
| Passwords | Built in | Built in |
| Magic links | Built in | Plugin |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | Plugin required |
| Sessions | Database-backed | Database-backed |
| Organisations | Built in | Plugin |
| API keys | Built in | Plugin |
| Audit logs | Built in | Not available |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Plugin |
| Pricing | Free (core) | Free |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseBetter Auth
Your databaseFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Core is open sourceBetter Auth
Open sourceFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneBetter Auth
NoneFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendBetter Auth
Runs in your backendFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
PluginFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
Plugin requiredFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedBetter Auth
Database-backedFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
PluginFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
PluginFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
Not availableFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inBetter Auth
PluginFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free (core)Better Auth
FreeBuilt-in vs. plugins
Better Auth uses a plugin system where magic links, organisations, and rate limiting are separate packages you opt into. Own Auth ships all core features built in. Both approaches have merit: plugins keep the core small, built-in features reduce integration work.
Audit logs
Own Auth includes audit logging out of the box. Every sign-in, session creation, and admin action is recorded. Better Auth doesn't currently offer audit logging. If your app needs an audit trail for compliance or debugging, this matters.
Database support
Better Auth supports multiple databases through adapters. Own Auth is Postgres-only. If you're already on Postgres, this isn't a trade-off. If you need MongoDB or MySQL, Better Auth has broader support.
Choose Better Auth if...
You want a plugin-based architecture, need support for databases other than Postgres, or prefer to opt in to features individually.
Choose Own Auth if...
You want all auth features built in without configuring plugins, need audit logging, and are running Postgres.