2 min read

React-friendly Open-Source Auth Options

A compact reference of Full Auth & User Management and Lightweight Drop-in Auth APIs that provide React libraries or example UIs you can use or adapt.

Full platforms with React support

  • Keycloak — keycloak-js + community @react-keycloak/web wrappers and examples. Good for enterprise SSO.
  • Ory (Kratos + Hydra) — Official guides and example React implementations (ORY provides SDKs and a React Next.js reference UI).
  • Authentik — Primarily backend, but has a strong API and community examples; no official React SDK but easy to integrate.

Lightweight / Drop-in with React SDKs

  • SuperTokens — Official supertokens-auth-react SDK and pre-built UI components.
  • Supabase Auth — @supabase/auth-helpers-react and @supabase/auth-ui-react for plug-and-play React components.
  • PocketBase — pocketbase JS SDK with community React hooks (e.g., react-pocketbase-hooks) and many tutorials.
  • GoTrue / Netlify Identity — gotrue-js plus community react-netlify-identity wrapper or the netlify-identity-widget.

Comparison Table

PlatformMFASocial loginSession managementThemingSelf-hosting complexity
KeycloakRobust (OTP, WebAuthn, enterprise-grade)Built-in (Google, GitHub, SAML, enterprise IdPs)Server-side sessions, SSO, token revocationFull theming via admin console & custom themesHigh — Java-based, heavier infra & configuration
Ory (Kratos + Hydra)Strong (Kratos + integrations)Supported via Hydra with external providersOAuth2/OIDC tokens; flexible session modelsCustomizable templates; moderate effortMedium–High — multiple services but lightweight Go binaries
SuperTokensSupports MFA (TOTP) via extensionsBuilt-in social providersAdvanced session management (refresh token rotation)Pre-built React UI, easily themableLow–Medium — straightforward to self-host
Supabase Auth (GoTrue)Basic MFA (varies by setup and plan)Built-in providers (Google, GitHub, etc.)JWT-based with refresh mechanisms@supabase/auth-ui-react components for quick themingLow — easy to self-host as part of Supabase stack
PocketBaseMinimal (community solutions)Not built-in; custom OAuth integrations neededSimple cookie/JWT sessionsNo official UI library — build your own or use community hooksLow — single binary, great for prototypes
GoTrue / Netlify IdentityMinimal / limited out of the boxBuilt-in OAuth provider supportJWT-based sessions & refresh tokensNo official React UI (community wrappers exist)Low — small service, simple to run

What is Stack Auth?

Stack Auth is an open-source alternative to Auth0 or Clerk, designed for modern, developer-friendly authentication.

  • It offers turnkey React and Next.js SDKs with pre-built <SignIn/>, <SignUp/>, account settings flows, and UI components that support dark/light themes out of the box. GitHubAlternativeTo
  • It's easy to get started—setup typically takes 5 minutes using their CLI (npx @stackframe/init-stack@latest) and environment variables. GitHubdocs.stack-auth.com
  • Features include authentication via OAuth (Google, GitHub, Magic Links), passkeys, 2FA, RBAC, multi-tenancy, impersonation, webhooks, user metadata, analytics, and a full admin dashboard. GitHubdocs.stack-auth.com
  • It handles session management, JWTs, refresh tokens, cookies, and even machine-to-machine auth—all under the hood. GitHub
  • Stack Auth is fully open-source (MIT + AGPL), self-hostable with optional managed usage, and offers REST APIs for flexibility. GitHubawesome.ecosyste.ms

Community Reactions

One Reddit user described building their own auth system called Stack, praising its composable React components, OAuth support, email auth, and analytics — and noting it offers a hosted option called Stackframe. Reddit

Quick Comparison: Stack Auth vs Other Options

FeatureStack Auth Highlights
React SDK/UIComplete React components (SignIn, SignUp, settings); Next.js integration
Auth MethodsOAuth, email/password, magic links, passkeys, 2FA
Session HandlingRobust JWTs, cookies, refresh tokens, sessions, M2M authentication
Advanced FeaturesRBAC, multi-tenancy, impersonation, webhooks, admin dashboard
Developer-Friendly5-min CLI setup, SDKs, theming, docs, open-source codebase
Self-hostingFully self-hostable with option for managed service

Docker Compose Example for Stack-auth

version: "3.8"

services:
stackauth_server:
image: stackauth/server:edeb3c8
ports:
- "8101:8101"
- "8102:8102"
environment:
# Public URLs
NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_API_URL: "http://localhost:8102"
NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_DASHBOARD_URL: "http://localhost:8101"

  # Database
  STACK_DATABASE_CONNECTION_STRING: "postgres://postgres:password@locahost:5432/stack_auth"
  STACK_DIRECT_DATABASE_CONNECTION_STRING: "postgres://postgres:password@localhost:5432/stack_auth"

  # Secret (⚠ ganti sebelum produksi)
  STACK_SERVER_SECRET: "fasffsa"

  # Seed & Migration
  STACK_SEED_INTERNAL_PROJECT_ALLOW_LOCALHOST: "true"
  STACK_SEED_INTERNAL_PROJECT_SIGN_UP_ENABLED: "true"
  STACK_RUN_MIGRATIONS: "true"
  STACK_RUN_SEED_SCRIPT: "true"

restart: unless-stopped

Published by:

Isyak Rizqi