Web Development
Authentication in Next.js: JWT, NextAuth, and Better Auth Compared
A practical comparison of authentication approaches for Next.js applications — JWT, NextAuth, and Better Auth — with implementation examples.
9 min read
The Authentication Decision
Authentication is one of the most consequential architectural decisions for any web app. The wrong choice creates security vulnerabilities or excessive re-engineering later.
Custom JWT Authentication
Building JWT authentication from scratch gives maximum control. Use the jose library for Web Crypto-compatible JWT signing in Next.js edge environments. Store tokens in httpOnly cookies, not localStorage.
NextAuth (Auth.js)
NextAuth is the most popular authentication library for Next.js. It handles OAuth providers (Google, GitHub), database sessions, and JWT in a unified API. Best for apps requiring social login.
Better Auth
Better Auth is a newer alternative with a cleaner API, built-in support for React Native, and more flexible session management. Calstins uses Better Auth for SwapFX and similar multi-platform products.
Topics
- authentication
- jwt
- nextauth
- security