Own Auth vs. Firebase Auth
Firebase Authentication is a managed service integrated with Google's Firebase ecosystem. Own Auth is a framework-independent library that runs in your backend and keeps authentication records in your Postgres database.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a Firebase Auth alternative
You want authentication in your backend, built-in organisation workflows, and authentication records in a standard Postgres database.
| Feature | Own Auth | Firebase Auth |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Google's cloud |
| Open source | Fully open source | SDKs are open source |
| Framework lock-in | None | Firebase ecosystem |
| 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 | JWT-based |
| Organisations | Built in | Identity Platform multi-tenancy |
| API keys | Built in | Outside Firebase Authentication |
| Audit logs | Built in | Via Cloud Logging |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Built in |
| Pricing | Free and open source | Free quotas, MAU and SMS usage pricing |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseFirebase Auth
Google's cloudFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceFirebase Auth
SDKs are open sourceFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneFirebase Auth
Firebase ecosystemFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendFirebase Auth
Hosted onlyFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Built inFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Built inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedFirebase Auth
JWT-basedFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Identity Platform multi-tenancyFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Outside Firebase AuthenticationFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Via Cloud LoggingFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inFirebase Auth
Built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceFirebase Auth
Free quotas, MAU and SMS usage pricingPlatform dependency
Firebase Authentication integrates with Firebase products and Google Cloud services through its SDKs and platform tooling. Own Auth is installed in the application backend and connects to an application-controlled Postgres database.
Data portability
Firebase provides CLI tools for importing and exporting authentication users. A migration still requires moving records and adapting the application away from Firebase tokens and SDKs. With Own Auth, the auth records already live in your Postgres database, although replacing any auth library still requires application integration work.
Organisations and teams
Firebase Authentication with Identity Platform uses tenants to isolate users and configuration. Own Auth organisations model application workspaces through roles, memberships, and invitations. Firebase applications can define that workspace model in their application layer.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
Firebase Auth fits
You're already in the Firebase ecosystem, want tight integration with Google Cloud, and can use Identity Platform tenants or build the team and API-key model your application needs.
Own Auth fits
You want authentication in your backend, built-in organisation workflows, and authentication records in a standard Postgres database.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.