{
  "slug": "better-auth",
  "name": "Better Auth",
  "url": "https://better-auth.com",
  "cat": "auth",
  "group": "back",
  "tagline": "Self-hosted TypeScript auth framework",
  "price": "Free and open source (MIT) · self-hosted, no MAU fees",
  "tier": "free",
  "pick": false,
  "what": "Framework-agnostic TypeScript authentication library that runs inside your own app and writes to your own database. Covers email/password, social OAuth, two-factor, organizations, passkeys and API keys through a plugin system. Vercel acquired the project in July 2026; it stays MIT-licensed, self-hosted and community-governed.",
  "why": "No per-MAU bill ever and no vendor holding your user table — auth becomes just another dependency. The plugin system covers most of what you would otherwise pay Clerk or Auth0 for.",
  "warn": "You own the hard parts: session security, email deliverability, rate limiting and breach response are all yours. Vercel's July 2026 acquisition preserves MIT licensing, but roadmap direction now sits with a hosting vendor.",
  "install": "npm i better-auth",
  "category": {
    "key": "auth",
    "name": "Auth & user management",
    "desc": "Free tiers exploded in 2026 — auth is effectively free for most solo builders now.",
    "group": "back",
    "groupName": "Give it a backend"
  },
  "freshness": null,
  "health": {
    "ok": true,
    "status_code": 200,
    "final_url": "https://better-auth.com/",
    "checked_at": "2026-08-18T22:10:46.578+00:00"
  },
  "corrected_at": null,
  "upstream_changed_at": null
}