Bvs

Better Auth vs WorkOS

Comparing two authentication platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.

By Bilal Almukhtar Edited by Sofia DraganovLast updated April 20, 2026

Quick summary

Better Auth — The most comprehensive authentication library. Better Auth is a framework-agnostic, open-source authentication library for TypeScript with built-in plugins.

WorkOS — Enterprise-ready features with just a few lines of code. WorkOS provides SSO, SCIM, audit logs, and directory sync — the B2B enterprise features SaaS apps need.

Feature comparison

Feature	Better Auth	WorkOS
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free	$125/connection
Free tier	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	No
MFA	Yes	Yes
SAML/SSO	Yes	Yes
Free Tier	Self-hosted	1M MAU
Self-hosted	Yes	No
Pre-built UI	No	No
Social Login	Yes	Yes
Organizations	Yes	Yes

Better Auth

The most comprehensive authentication library

Pros

Fully open source
No vendor lock-in
TypeScript-first

Cons

You manage the infrastructure
No hosted option

Visit Better Auth →

WorkOS

Enterprise-ready features with just a few lines of code

Pros

Best-in-class SSO/SCIM
Generous free tier for startups
Enterprise-focused

Cons

Per-connection pricing adds up
Overkill for B2C apps

Visit WorkOS →

Which should you choose?

Choose Better Auth if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose WorkOS if a free tier is important for your stage, and you need production-grade features and are ready to pay.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Better Auth or WorkOS?

There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Better Auth is the safer default because Better Auth is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. WorkOS is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.

Is Better Auth cheaper than WorkOS?

Better Auth starts at Free, while WorkOS starts at $125/connection. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.

Can I migrate from Better Auth to WorkOS?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Better Auth-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most authentication migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.

Is Better Auth or WorkOS open source?

Better Auth is open source; WorkOS is a proprietary managed service.

Does Better Auth or WorkOS have a free tier?

Both Better Auth and WorkOS offer a free tier.

Which is best for startups and indie hackers?

Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is WorkOS. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.

More Authentication comparisons

All Better Auth alternatives →All WorkOS alternatives →