Should you really Roll your own auth?
Tags: webdev, authjs, javascript, programming
Published: 2024-06-20 23:00:00

Hey guys, In this article, I want to discuss whether it's better to build your own authentication system or to use a third-party service provider. Let’s dive right in 😃

## Why Consider Building Your Own Authentication?

First, let's consider the **"WHY"** behind building your own authentication system from scratch. The decision depends significantly on your role and the kind of application you are developing. For instance, if you are a backend developer working for a company, they likely already have their own authentication system in place. However, the situation might be different if you're a freelancer (hello🙂), or frontend developer working for clients or personal projects.

Some people advocate for building your own authentication, while others recommend using third-party services like Clerk, Auth0, Kinde, and others. I'll outline the pros and cons of each approach and share my perspective on both solutions.

## 👨🏽‍💻 The Freelancer's Perspective

As a freelancer, if I have projects to deliver to clients, creating authentication from scratch is not the best solution. Here’s why:

- **Time Constraints**: Freelancers often work with tight deadlines. Building a robust authentication system from scratch is time-consuming and complex, which can delay project delivery.
- **Resource Management**: Freelancers usually handle multiple aspects of a project. Using a third-party service for authentication allows them to focus on other important tasks, enhancing overall productivity.
- **Cost**: While third-party services can be expensive, many offer generous free tiers that are sufficient for small to medium projects. This can be a cost-effective solution for freelancers working on budget-constrained projects.

**Cons**:

- **Dependency**: Relying on an external provider might raise concerns about reliability and data security.
- **Cost at Scale**: While initial costs might be low, they can increase significantly as the project scales.

_💡 But at the end of day the client does not really care what you use. They just want to see results._

## 👨🏽‍💻 The Frontend Developer's Perspective

As a frontend developer, or more broadly, as a software engineer focused on building frontend applications, the scenario is slightly different:

- **Ease of Integration**: Frontend developers can easily integrate third-party authentication services without delving into the complexities of backend systems.
- **Time Efficiency**: Using third-party services allows frontend developers to concentrate on the UI/UX aspects of the project, ensuring a better user experience.
- **Learning Opportunity**: While it’s beneficial to understand how authentication works, building it from scratch isn’t always necessary for frontend-focused projects. However, gaining some knowledge can help when integrating third-party services securely.

**Cons**:

- **Limited Control**: Depending on third-party services means you have less control over the authentication process and data management.
- **Potential Integration Issues**: There can be occasional compatibility issues with other parts of the application.

## 👨🏽‍💻 The Backend Developer's Perspective

For backend developers, the line becomes blurry, and here's why:

- **Control and Customization**: Building your own authentication system offers greater control over the implementation, allowing customization to meet specific security and business requirements.
- **Security Considerations**: Backend developers often need to ensure high security standards. While third-party services are secure, having control over the authentication process allows for more tailored security measures.
- **Scalability and Maintenance**: Maintaining your own system can be challenging but rewarding. Backend developers need to weigh the benefits of customization against the overhead of maintaining and scaling the system.

**Cons**:

- **Time and Resources**: Developing and maintaining a custom authentication system requires significant time and resources.
- **Complexity**: Ensuring that the system is secure and scalable adds to the complexity of the project.

_💡 Here is thing, you are a backend dev which means you chose the path of long suffering, So you don’t need to take the cons into consideration_ 🙂.

## Common Questions

Here are some common questions I was hoping you’d ask as well the answers in mind 👇🏽

- **What if my project scales quickly?**

Using a third-party service can be beneficial as they often provide scalable solutions that can handle increased loads without significant changes.

- **Are third-party services secure enough?**

Most third-party services invest heavily in security and compliance, often exceeding what a small team can implement. However, always review their security policies and practices to ensure they meet your requirements.

_💡 But you should try out_ [clerk.dev](https://clerk.dev/) _though 🙂_

- **Can I switch from a third-party service to my own system later?**

Yes, but it can be complex. Plan for such transitions by abstracting the authentication layer in your application to make future changes easier.

## Conclusion

Alright guys, Thanks for getting to this part of the article 🎊 🎊. The decision to build your own authentication system or use a third-party service depends on your role, project requirements, and constraints. Freelancers and frontend developers might find third-party services more practical due to time constraints and workload, while backend developers might benefit from the flexibility and control of building their own systems. Regardless of your choice, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision that best suits your needs.

Have an amazing weekend and see you next week 🙂