Better Auth vs NextAuth in 2026: pick Better Auth for a new project
Better Auth vs NextAuth is less of a contest in 2026: the Auth.js docs now say the Auth.js project is part of Better Auth, and they link to a guide to migrate to Better Auth. Both are open source TypeScript libraries that run inside your own app, with no per-user fee. Better Auth ships more out of the box, including organizations, two factor auth and passkeys through plugins.
Facts and prices checked on against the sources listed below.
Quick verdict
Better Auth
PriceFree, open source
Pick Better Auth for a new project: it is the project Auth.js now belongs to, it has a stable release line, and organizations, 2FA and passkeys are plugins away.
Auth.js (NextAuth)
PriceFree, open source
Stay on Auth.js if you run a working next-auth v4 setup and have no pressing need to move, then plan the migration with the official guide.
Better Auth vs Auth.js (NextAuth) at a glance
| Feature | Better Auth | Auth.js (NextAuth) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active; 1.7.14 marked latest on npm | Part of Better Auth; next-auth 4.24.15 latest, 5.0.0-beta.32 in beta |
| What it is | Framework-agnostic auth and authorization framework for TypeScript | Runtime agnostic auth library built on standard Web APIs |
| Frameworks | Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit, Astro, Hono and 20+ more | Next.js, Qwik, SvelteKit, Express and more |
| Sign-in methods | Email and password, social sign-on (Google, GitHub, Apple, Discord and more) | OAuth providers, magic links, credentials, WebAuthn |
| Built in extras | Organizations, two factor, passkeys, multi-session, SSO | Not listed on the getting started page |
| Database | Bring your own database | Optional, through adapters such as Prisma, Drizzle, Supabase and Kysely |
| License and stars | MIT, 30.5k stars | ISC, 28.4k stars |
| Paid option | Better Auth Infrastructure: dashboard, audit logs, security detection | None |
| Free tier | Free library (MIT); Infrastructure Starter $0, Pro $20 a month | Free library (ISC) |
What changed in 2026
For years NextAuth.js, later renamed Auth.js, was the default way to add sign-in to a Next.js app. Today the Auth.js docs open with a short notice: the Auth.js project is now part of Better Auth. The docs link to an announcement and to a Migrate to Better Auth guide, and the site footer now reads Better Auth Inc.
The Auth.js docs cover next-auth 5.0.0-beta and later, and on npm version 5 is still tagged beta (5.0.0-beta.32 at the time of writing). The latest stable release is 4.24.15, documented on the older next-auth.js.org site.
Better Auth has a stable line: 1.7.14 is marked latest on npm, with 1.8 in beta.
Cost
Both are libraries that run inside your app, with no per-user fee. Better Auth is MIT licensed and next-auth is ISC licensed. Better Auth also sells an optional Infrastructure product with a dashboard, audit logs, security detection and transactional messages; its plans are on a separate page.
Features
Better Auth calls itself a framework-agnostic authentication and authorization framework for TypeScript. Out of the box it covers email and password with sessions, email verification and password reset, and social sign-on with Google, GitHub, Apple, Discord and more. Plugins add two factor auth, passkeys, organizations with roles and invitations, multi-session support and enterprise SSO. It works with Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit, Astro, Hono and more than 20 other frameworks, against your own database.
Auth.js is a runtime agnostic library built on standard Web APIs. It supports OAuth sign-in with many providers, magic links through email providers, credentials and WebAuthn, and works with Next.js, Qwik, SvelteKit and Express. A database is optional, through adapters for Prisma, Drizzle, Neon, Supabase, Firebase, TypeORM, Kysely, Upstash Redis and more.
When to pick Better Auth
- You are starting a new project.
- You want organizations, 2FA or passkeys without writing them yourself.
- You want a stable release instead of a long-running beta.
When to stay on Auth.js for now
- Your next-auth v4 setup works and auth is not on your roadmap this quarter.
- You need time to plan a migration; use the official guide when you do.
If you would rather not run auth yourself, compare the hosted options in Clerk vs Auth0 and Clerk vs Supabase Auth.
FAQ
Is NextAuth deprecated?
Not in those words. The Auth.js docs say the project is now part of Better Auth and link to a migration guide. Version 5 is still published as a beta (5.0.0-beta.32), and 4.24.15 is the latest stable release on npm.
Should I migrate from NextAuth to Better Auth?
For new work, start on Better Auth. For an existing app, migrate when you next touch auth, need a feature such as organizations or passkeys, or want off the v5 beta. Use the Migrate to Better Auth guide linked from the Auth.js docs.
Is Better Auth free?
Yes. The library is MIT licensed and runs in your own app against your own database. Better Auth also sells an optional Infrastructure product with a dashboard, audit logs and security detection; its prices are on a separate plans page.
Better Auth or a hosted service like Clerk?
Better Auth keeps users in your database with no per-user fee, but you run it. Clerk hosts auth for you with prebuilt screens and a free plan up to 50,000 retained users per app. See Clerk vs Auth0 for the hosted options.
Sources, checked October 30, 2026
Prices and plans change often. If something here is out of date, tell us through the contact page.