Own Auth vs. WorkOS
WorkOS AuthKit is a managed user management platform with hosted or application-built sign-in UI and enterprise identity features. Own Auth is an open-source package that runs in your backend and stores authentication records in application-controlled storage.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a WorkOS alternative
You want first-party application authentication to run in your backend with users, sessions, organisations, and security records in application-controlled storage.
| Feature | Own Auth | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | WorkOS-hosted user store |
| Open source | Fully open source | Open-source UI and SDKs; managed backend |
| Framework lock-in | None | Framework SDKs and public API |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | UI only; backend requires WorkOS |
| Passwords | Built in | Email and password |
| Magic links | Built in | Deprecated in favour of email codes |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | SMS is MFA, not primary sign-in |
| Sessions | Database-backed | JWT access tokens and refresh tokens |
| Organisations | Built in | First-class organisations and memberships |
| API keys | Built in | User and organisation-scoped keys |
| Audit logs | Built in | Separate product; application emits events |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Published API and hosted sign-in limits |
| Pricing | Free and open source | 1M MAUs free; product and add-on fees |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseWorkOS
WorkOS-hosted user storeFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceWorkOS
Open-source UI and SDKs; managed backendFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneWorkOS
Framework SDKs and public APIFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendWorkOS
UI only; backend requires WorkOSFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
Email and passwordFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
Deprecated in favour of email codesFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
SMS is MFA, not primary sign-inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedWorkOS
JWT access tokens and refresh tokensFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
First-class organisations and membershipsFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
User and organisation-scoped keysFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
Separate product; application emits eventsFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inWorkOS
Published API and hosted sign-in limitsFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceWorkOS
1M MAUs free; product and add-on feesEnterprise identity
WorkOS combines managed user authentication with Enterprise SSO, Directory Sync, Admin Portal, and related B2B products. Teams can use WorkOS-hosted AuthKit UI or build their own UI against the AuthKit API, while user management remains a WorkOS service. Own Auth runs its supported authentication and organisation workflows inside the application backend.
Authentication methods
AuthKit supports email and password, social login, SSO, MFA, passkeys, and Magic Auth. Magic Auth uses a six-digit code sent by email, and WorkOS documents magic links as deprecated. WorkOS documents SMS as an additional factor rather than phone-number sign-in.
Data and sessions
A successful AuthKit authentication returns a WorkOS user, a JWT access token, and a refresh token. The application validates access tokens and uses the WorkOS refresh endpoint while the session remains active. Own Auth stores users and database-backed sessions in application-controlled storage and returns opaque session tokens.
Operations and cost
WorkOS lists AuthKit as free for the first one million monthly active users, then $2,500 per additional million users per month. Enterprise SSO and Directory Sync connections, custom domains, audit-log streaming, and audit-event retention have separate prices. Own Auth is MIT licensed and runs on infrastructure the application team operates.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
WorkOS fits
You want WorkOS-hosted user management, enterprise SSO, directory provisioning, hosted or custom authentication UI, and customer-facing API keys from one platform.
Own Auth fits
You want first-party application authentication to run in your backend with users, sessions, organisations, and security records in application-controlled storage.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.