next-auth

This library addresses the challenge of implementing authentication across diverse JavaScript environments and frameworks by offering a runtime-agnostic, flexible set of packages that support OAuth 2.0+, OpenID Connect, passwordless methods, and WebAuthn. Unlike monolithic or framework-specific solutions, it allows teams to integrate authentication with or without a database, supporting multiple backends including Active Directory and LDAP. Its security defaults, such as encrypted JSON Web Tokens and CSRF protection, aim to reduce common vulnerabilities while allowing advanced customization. The project is mature, with over 28,000 stars and recent commits as of mid-2026, though its growth has plateaued following its integration into Better Auth, which is now recommended for new projects. It is not ideal if you require a fully managed authentication service or prefer a cloud provider's turnkey solution like Auth0 or Firebase Authentication, especially when stateless session management without a database is critical and Better Auth is preferred.

Choose this when building JavaScript or TypeScript applications that need flexible, framework-agnostic authentication with strong security defaults and the option to control user data storage. For projects prioritising stateless session management without a database or seeking a more integrated experience, consider Better Auth instead. If you want a managed service or simpler setup, Auth0 or Firebase Authentication might be better fits.

Commonly deployed in web applications built with Next.js, Nuxt, or other JavaScript frameworks that require customisable authentication flows supporting OAuth providers, passwordless sign-in, or enterprise directories. It suits teams needing to integrate authentication into serverless environments or Docker containers while maintaining control over session management and user data.

Latest commit: 2026-07-22. Activity data is based on daily RepoPi snapshots of the GitHub repository.