NextAuth.js (Auth.js) vs Supabase

Side-by-side comparison of NextAuth.js (Auth.js) and Supabase.

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

Quick summary

NextAuth.js (Auth.js) — Authentication for the web. Auth.js (formerly NextAuth) is a free open-source authentication library for Next.js and other frameworks.

Supabase — The open source Firebase alternative. Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service built on PostgreSQL. It provides authentication, realtime subscriptions, storage, edge functions, and a hosted database.

Feature comparison

Feature	NextAuth.js (Auth.js)	Supabase
Pricing model	Free	Freemium
Starting price	Free	$25/mo
Free tier	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
MFA	No	—
SAML/SSO	No	—
Free Tier	Self-hosted	500MB DB + 1GB storage
Self-hosted	Yes	Yes
Pre-built UI	No	—
Social Login	Yes	—
Organizations	No	—
Auth	—	Yes
Storage	—	Yes
Database	—	PostgreSQL
Realtime	—	Yes
Edge Functions	—	Yes
Row Level Security	—	Yes

NextAuth.js (Auth.js)

Authentication for the web

Pros

Free and open source
Huge provider catalog
Self-hosted

Cons

No built-in MFA/orgs
You build your own UI
Docs can be rough

Visit NextAuth.js (Auth.js) →

Supabase

The open source Firebase alternative

Pros

Open source and self-hostable
Standard PostgreSQL — no vendor lock-in
Generous free tier
Great DX with auto-generated APIs

Cons

Cold starts on free tier
Edge function ecosystem still maturing

Visit Supabase →

Which should you choose?

Choose NextAuth.js (Auth.js) if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Supabase if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, NextAuth.js (Auth.js) or Supabase?

There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Supabase is the safer default because Supabase has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.

Is NextAuth.js (Auth.js) cheaper than Supabase?

NextAuth.js (Auth.js) starts at Free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.

Can I migrate from NextAuth.js (Auth.js) to Supabase?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply NextAuth.js (Auth.js)-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 NextAuth.js (Auth.js) or Supabase open source?

Yes, both NextAuth.js (Auth.js) and Supabase are open source and can be self-hosted.

Does NextAuth.js (Auth.js) or Supabase have a free tier?

Both NextAuth.js (Auth.js) and Supabase 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 Supabase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.

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