Auth.js vs BetterAuth for Next.js: A Comprehensive Comparison

You've just started building your Next.js application and hit the inevitable authentication wall. After some research, you're torn between Auth.js (formerly NextAuth.js) and BetterAuth. The documentation for both looks promising, but you're worried about making the wrong choice and getting stuck with a problematic implementation down the line.

"I am really struggling with Auth.js," writes one developer on Reddit. "The docs was horrible, it offers little customizability, and the configuration just doesn't work." This sentiment echoes across many development forums, highlighting the common frustrations developers face when implementing authentication in Next.js applications.

But is BetterAuth truly the answer? Let's dive deep into both solutions to help you make an informed decision for your project.

Understanding the Landscape

Authentication in Next.js applications requires careful consideration of several factors:

• Security and reliability

• Ease of implementation

• Documentation quality

• Community support

• Customization options

• Integration capabilities

Both Auth.js and BetterAuth approach these requirements differently, each with their own strengths and trade-offs.

Auth.js: The Established Player

Auth.js, previously known as NextAuth.js, has been a go-to solution for Next.js authentication for years. It's backed by a large community and offers extensive customization options. However, recent user experiences have highlighted significant challenges:

• Complex setup procedures, especially for credential-based authentication

• Documentation that often leaves developers confused

• Difficulties with implementing non-standard authentication flows

• Challenges with services like Entra ID integration

As one developer noted, "If this were my first experience with web auth, I would have just thought auth ought to be this hard." This sentiment reflects a common frustration with Auth.js's learning curve.

BetterAuth: The Rising Alternative

BetterAuth has emerged as a compelling alternative, focusing on developer experience and security. Users particularly appreciate:

• Straightforward setup process

• Clear, comprehensive documentation

• Responsive support community

• Built-in security best practices

"Setup was a breeze. Way easier and better," reports a developer who switched from Auth.js to BetterAuth. This experience is consistently echoed across various developer forums and discussions.

Feature Comparison

Let's break down the key features of both solutions to understand their capabilities better.

Auth.js Features

1. Authentication Providers

   • Built-in support for OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc.)

   • Custom credential providers

   • Email/passwordless authentication

   • Support for multiple providers simultaneously

2. Session Management

   • JWT and database session strategies

   • Customizable session handling

   • Session rotation and security features

3. Customization

   • Extensive configuration options

   • Custom pages and layouts

   • Event callbacks for authentication flows

BetterAuth Features

1. Core Authentication

   • Streamlined credential-based authentication

   • Built-in MFA support

   • Passwordless options

   • Social login integrations

2. Security Features

   • Advanced rate limiting

   • Automatic security headers

   • CSRF protection

   • Built-in password policies

3. Developer Experience

   • Type-safe APIs

   • Intuitive configuration

   • Comprehensive error handling

   • Real-time webhook support

Implementation Comparison

Let's look at how both solutions handle common authentication scenarios.

Setting Up Auth.js

1. First, install the necessary packages:

npm install next-auth
# or
yarn add next-auth

1. Create an API route for authentication:

// pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].ts
import NextAuth from "next-auth"
import CredentialsProvider from "next-auth/providers/credentials"

export default NextAuth({
  providers: [
    CredentialsProvider({
      name: "Credentials",
      credentials: {
        username: { label: "Username", type: "text" },
        password: { label: "Password", type: "password" }
      },
      async authorize(credentials, req) {
        // Add your authentication logic here
        const user = await authenticateUser(credentials)
        if (user) {
          return user
        }
        return null
      }
    })
  ],
  session: {
    strategy: "jwt"
  },
  callbacks: {
    async session({ session, token }) {
      // Add custom session handling
      return session
    }
  }
})

1. Set up the provider in your app:

// pages/_app.tsx
import { SessionProvider } from "next-auth/react"

function MyApp({ Component, pageProps: { session, ...pageProps } }) {
  return (
    <SessionProvider session={session}>
      <Component {...pageProps} />
    </SessionProvider>
  )
}

export default MyApp

Setting Up BetterAuth

1. Install BetterAuth:

npm install better-auth
# or
yarn add better-auth

1. Create your auth configuration:

// lib/auth.ts
import { createAuth } from "better-auth"

export const auth = createAuth({
  secret: process.env.AUTH_SECRET,
  database: {
    type: "postgres",
    url: process.env.DATABASE_URL
  },
  session: {
    strategy: "jwt"
  }
})

1. Set up the API route:

// pages/api/auth/[...auth].ts
import { auth } from "@/lib/auth"
import { createHandler } from "better-auth/next"

export default createHandler(auth)

Real-World Implementation Examples

Let's explore some common authentication scenarios and how they're handled in both libraries.

User Login with Auth.js

// components/LoginForm.tsx
import { signIn } from "next-auth/react"
import { useState } from "react"

export default function LoginForm() {
  const [credentials, setCredentials] = useState({
    email: "",
    password: ""
  })

  const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
    e.preventDefault()
    try {
      const result = await signIn("credentials", {
        redirect: false,
        email: credentials.email,
        password: credentials.password
      })
      
      if (result?.error) {
        // Handle error
        console.error(result.error)
      }
    } catch (error) {
      console.error("Login failed:", error)
    }
  }

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <input
        type="email"
        value={credentials.email}
        onChange={(e) => setCredentials({
          ...credentials,
          email: e.target.value
        })}
      />
      <input
        type="password"
        value={credentials.password}
        onChange={(e) => setCredentials({
          ...credentials,
          password: e.target.value
        })}
      />
      <button type="submit">Login</button>
    </form>
  )
}

User Login with BetterAuth

// components/LoginForm.tsx
import { useAuth } from "better-auth/react"
import { useState } from "react"

export default function LoginForm() {
  const { login } = useAuth()
  const [credentials, setCredentials] = useState({
    email: "",
    password: ""
  })

  const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
    e.preventDefault()
    try {
      await login({
        email: credentials.email,
        password: credentials.password
      })
      // Successful login will automatically update auth state
    } catch (error) {
      console.error("Login failed:", error)
    }
  }

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <input
        type="email"
        value={credentials.email}
        onChange={(e) => setCredentials({
          ...credentials,
          email: e.target.value
        })}
      />
      <input
        type="password"
        value={credentials.password}
        onChange={(e) => setCredentials({
          ...credentials,
          password: e.target.value
        })}
      />
      <button type="submit">Login</button>
    </form>
  )
}

Protected Routes and Session Management

Auth.js Protected Routes

// middleware.ts
export { default } from "next-auth/middleware"

export const config = {
  matcher: ["/protected/:path*"]
}

// pages/protected/dashboard.tsx
import { useSession } from "next-auth/react"
import { useRouter } from "next/router"

export default function Dashboard() {
  const { data: session, status } = useSession()
  const router = useRouter()

  if (status === "loading") {
    return <div>Loading...</div>
  }

  if (!session) {
    router.push("/login")
    return null
  }

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome {session.user.name}</h1>
      {/* Dashboard content */}
    </div>
  )
}

BetterAuth Protected Routes

// middleware.ts
import { createMiddleware } from "better-auth/next"
import { auth } from "@/lib/auth"

export default createMiddleware(auth)

export const config = {
  matcher: ["/protected/:path*"]
}

// pages/protected/dashboard.tsx
import { useAuth } from "better-auth/react"

export default function Dashboard() {
  const { user, isLoading } = useAuth()

  if (isLoading) {
    return <div>Loading...</div>
  }

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome {user.name}</h1>
      {/* Dashboard content */}
    </div>
  )
}

Performance and Security Considerations

Auth.js Security Features

1. JWT Handling

// pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].ts
export default NextAuth({
  jwt: {
    secret: process.env.JWT_SECRET,
    maxAge: 60 * 60 * 24 * 30, // 30 days
    encryption: true
  },
  security: {
    csrf: true,
    cookieSecure: process.env.NODE_ENV === "production"
  }
})

1. Custom Authorization Logic

// lib/auth-checks.ts
export const checkUserPermissions = async (session) => {
  if (!session) return false
  
  // Add your custom authorization logic
  const userRoles = await fetchUserRoles(session.user.id)
  return userRoles.includes("admin")
}

BetterAuth Security Features

1. Built-in Rate Limiting

// lib/auth.ts
import { createAuth } from "better-auth"

export const auth = createAuth({
  rateLimit: {
    enabled: true,
    windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, // 15 minutes
    max: 100 // limit each IP to 100 requests per windowMs
  },
  security: {
    passwordPolicy: {
      minLength: 8,
      requireNumbers: true,
      requireSpecialChars: true
    }
  }
})

1. MFA Implementation

// pages/api/auth/enable-mfa.ts
import { auth } from "@/lib/auth"

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const { user } = await auth.getUserSession(req)
  
  if (!user) {
    return res.status(401).json({ error: "Unauthorized" })
  }

  const secret = await auth.mfa.generateSecret()
  const qrCode = await auth.mfa.generateQRCode(secret)

  return res.json({ secret, qrCode })
}

Migration Considerations

Migrating from Auth.js to BetterAuth

If you're considering migrating from Auth.js to BetterAuth, here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Backup Your Data

# Export your users and sessions
pg_dump -t users -t sessions > auth_backup.sql

1. Update Dependencies

npm remove next-auth
npm install better-auth

1. Update Configuration

// Before (Auth.js)
export default NextAuth({
  providers: [...],
  callbacks: {...},
  session: {...}
})

// After (BetterAuth)
export const auth = createAuth({
  providers: {...},
  session: {...},
  callbacks: {...}
})

1. Update Components

// Before (Auth.js)
import { useSession } from "next-auth/react"

// After (BetterAuth)
import { useAuth } from "better-auth/react"

Making the Decision: Which One Should You Choose?

After analyzing both solutions in detail, here's a framework to help you make the decision:

Choose Auth.js If:

1. You Need Maximum Flexibility

   • You require extensive customization of authentication flows

   • You're working with multiple OAuth providers

   • You need to implement complex authorization schemes

2. You're Comfortable with Complexity

   • You have experience with authentication implementations

   • You're willing to invest time in understanding the documentation

   • You have the resources to handle potential issues

3. You Value Community Resources

   • You prefer solutions with extensive community tutorials

   • You want access to a large number of examples and implementations

   • You need integration with many third-party services

Choose BetterAuth If:

1. You Prioritize Developer Experience

   • You want a more straightforward setup process

   • You prefer clear, comprehensive documentation

   • You value responsive support

2. Security is a Top Concern

   • You need built-in security features

   • You want automatic implementation of security best practices

   • You require built-in MFA support

3. You're Building a New Project

   • You're starting from scratch

   • You want to avoid technical debt

   • You need quick implementation

Real-World Success Stories

From the developer community:

"The Auth.js Discord was deader than courdroy disco, so I tried switching to Better Auth... Better Auth worked, I was pointed to documentation that helped with my newbie questions." - Reddit user

"Setup was a breeze. Way easier and better. I've been using it for many months and I've never loved any auth framework so much." - Developer testimonial

These experiences highlight the importance of considering not just the technical capabilities but also the overall developer experience when choosing an authentication solution.

Conclusion and Best Practices

The choice between Auth.js and BetterAuth ultimately depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Here are some final recommendations to ensure success with either solution:

Best Practices for Auth.js

1. Documentation First

   • Thoroughly read the documentation before implementation

   • Keep track of version changes and updates

   • Join the GitHub discussions for complex issues

2. Testing Strategy

   • Implement comprehensive testing for authentication flows

   • Test edge cases and error scenarios

   • Use the provided testing utilities

3. Security Considerations

   • Regularly update dependencies

   • Implement proper error handling

   • Use secure session configurations

Best Practices for BetterAuth

1. Implementation Strategy

   • Follow the quick start guide step by step

   • Utilize the built-in security features

   • Take advantage of the type-safe APIs

2. Monitoring and Maintenance

   • Set up proper logging and monitoring

   • Keep the library updated

   • Use the provided debugging tools

3. Community Engagement

   • Participate in the community forums

   • Report issues and contribute feedback

   • Share your implementation experiences

Additional Resources

1. Auth.js Official Documentation

2. BetterAuth Documentation

3. Next.js Authentication Guide

4. Security Best Practices for Web Authentication

Remember, authentication is a critical component of your application's security infrastructure. Take the time to make an informed decision based on your specific requirements, team expertise, and project constraints. Whether you choose Auth.js or BetterAuth, ensure you follow security best practices and keep your implementation up to date with the latest security standards.