next-auth vs better-auth

auth

next-auth

better-auth

NextAuth (now Auth.js) and BetterAuth are both authentication libraries for JavaScript applications, with NextAuth being the established incumbent and BetterAuth representing a modern reimagining of authentication patterns. NextAuth has been widely adopted for handling OAuth providers, credentials, and passwordless flows, while BetterAuth emerged as a TypeScript-first solution with built-in authorization features.

This comparison is particularly relevant given the September 2025 announcement that Auth.js maintenance has transitioned to the BetterAuth team, signaling a major shift in the authentication ecosystem. Developers choosing authentication solutions for new projects need to understand the architectural differences, while teams with existing NextAuth implementations must evaluate migration paths. Both libraries target Next.js developers, but their approaches to API design, type safety, and feature completeness differ significantly.

Head-to-Head

API Design & Developer Experience→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Requires manual wiring of client-side authentication flows, including explicit API calls and cookie/JWT management. Implementing features like password reset demands custom API routes and state handling, giving developers full control but increasing boilerplate code.

better-auth

Provides abstracted, ergonomic APIs that handle details automatically. Password reset flows require minimal configuration—define email logic in auth config and call authClient.resetPassword() on the client. Reduces manual implementation while maintaining flexibility through sensible defaults.

TypeScript Integration→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Good TypeScript support but requires manual type augmentation to define custom user properties in session tokens. Developers must explicitly extend types for authentication callbacks and session data, adding configuration overhead for type safety.

better-auth

Native type safety with full autocomplete out of the box. Provides compile-time checks with minimal configuration, eliminating the need for manual type augmentation in most scenarios. TypeScript-first design philosophy throughout the API surface.

Authorization Capabilities→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Primarily an authentication solution. Handles OAuth providers, credentials, and passwordless flows effectively, but lacks built-in authorization primitives. Implementing RBAC, permissions, or multi-tenancy requires additional libraries or custom development on top of the auth layer.

better-auth

Complete authentication and authorization framework with built-in RBAC, role management, and multi-tenant structures. Provides authorization primitives as first-class features, eliminating the need for separate authorization libraries in many use cases.

Built-in Security Features→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Implements anti-CSRF tokens on sign-in routes and encourages short JWT lifetimes with rotation. Security features are present but require more manual configuration for advanced capabilities like rate limiting or password policies. Relies on developers to implement additional security layers.

better-auth

Comprehensive security out of the box including advanced rate limiting with customizable rules, automatic security headers, password policy enforcement, CSRF protection, and session revocation. Provides sensible security defaults that work immediately without extensive configuration.

Setup Complexity→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Moderate configuration complexity with multiple options and patterns to choose from. Setting up providers is straightforward, but implementing custom authentication flows requires understanding callbacks, adapters, and JWT/session configuration. Documentation is extensive but can be overwhelming.

better-auth

Simple configuration with sensible defaults. Enabling email/password authentication requires just a few lines of configuration. The opinionated approach reduces decision fatigue while still allowing customization when needed. Easier onboarding for developers new to authentication.

Ecosystem Maturity & Maintenance→ better-auth wins

next-auth

Historically wide adoption powering a substantial portion of web authentication, with extensive community resources and third-party integrations. However, maintenance has transitioned to the BetterAuth team as of September 2025, with the original maintainers acknowledging its architectural limitations for complex applications.

better-auth

Growing ecosystem with plugin capabilities allowing community extensions. Newer library but now backed by the same team maintaining Auth.js, indicating long-term commitment. Represents the modern approach that aligns with current ecosystem direction, according to the Auth.js maintenance transition announcement.

Verdict

BetterAuth is the clear choice for new projects. The September 2025 maintenance transition of Auth.js to the BetterAuth team represents an explicit acknowledgment that BetterAuth's architecture is superior for modern application requirements. BetterAuth's TypeScript-first design, built-in authorization, comprehensive security features, and ergonomic APIs address the limitations that NextAuth encountered as applications grew more complex. The fact that the same team now maintains both libraries and recommends the BetterAuth approach for the future makes this decision straightforward.

NextAuth remains relevant only for existing projects that require ongoing maintenance without immediate migration capacity. Teams with significant investment in NextAuth patterns should plan migration to BetterAuth as technical debt reduction, particularly when adding new authentication features or authorization requirements. For greenfield projects, starting with BetterAuth avoids future migration costs while providing immediate access to modern authentication patterns, superior type safety, and built-in features that would otherwise require additional libraries or custom development.

When to Use Each

If you are building a new SaaS application with role-based permissions → use BetterAuth because it provides built-in RBAC and authorization primitives, eliminating the need to integrate separate permission management libraries.

If you are maintaining a legacy Next.js application already using NextAuth with simple OAuth flows → continue with NextAuth in the short term because migration may not provide immediate value, but plan for BetterAuth migration when adding new authentication features.

If you are building a multi-tenant B2B platform requiring organization-level access control → use BetterAuth because its native multi-tenancy support and authorization framework handle complex permission hierarchies without custom implementation.

If you are creating a TypeScript-heavy application where compile-time safety is critical → use BetterAuth because its TypeScript-first design provides native type inference and autocomplete throughout the authentication flow, reducing runtime errors and improving developer productivity.

Learn More

next-auth →better-auth →

Head-to-Head

API Design & Developer Experience→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

TypeScript Integration→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

Authorization Capabilities→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

Built-in Security Features→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

Setup Complexity→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

Ecosystem Maturity & Maintenance→ better-auth wins

next-auth

better-auth

Verdict

When to Use Each