TL;DR
NextAuth (Auth.js) is a higher-level library handling OAuth flows with adapters for various databases. Lucia is a lower-level library giving you more control over session management. NextAuth is easier to set up; Lucia gives more flexibility and control. Both are open source with user data in your database. Choose NextAuth for quick OAuth setup; Lucia for custom auth flows.
NextAuth and Lucia are both open-source authentication libraries that store user data in your database. They differ in abstraction level: NextAuth handles more automatically, while Lucia gives you lower-level control. Understanding these differences helps you choose based on your security and customization needs.
Security Feature Comparison
| Feature | NextAuth | Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Abstraction Level | Higher (more magic) | Lower (more control) |
| Session Strategy | JWT or Database | Database by default |
| OAuth Providers | Many built-in | Separate libraries |
| Credential Auth | Available (less secure) | You implement |
| CSRF Protection | Built-in | You implement |
| Framework Support | Next.js focused | Framework agnostic |
| Customization | Through callbacks | Direct control |
Session Security
NextAuth Sessions
NextAuth supports JWT or database sessions. Database sessions are more secure (revocable) but require more queries. JWTs are stateless but can't be revoked until expiry. The choice has security implications. NextAuth handles session cookies automatically with CSRF protection.
Lucia Sessions
Lucia uses database sessions by default, which are more secure and revocable. You have direct control over session creation, validation, and invalidation. This control means you can implement custom session security logic but also means more responsibility.
Choose NextAuth When: You want quick OAuth integration with minimal custom code. NextAuth's higher abstraction handles many security concerns automatically. Best for standard OAuth flows, Next.js applications, and teams that want authentication working quickly with reasonable defaults.
Choose Lucia When: You need full control over authentication flows and session management. Lucia's lower-level approach lets you implement exactly what you need. Best for custom auth requirements, non-Next.js frameworks, or when you want to understand and control every aspect of authentication.
Security Responsibilities
What NextAuth Handles
- OAuth flow security and state validation
- CSRF token generation and validation
- Secure cookie configuration
- Callback URL validation
What You Handle with Lucia
- CSRF protection implementation
- OAuth flow (using oslo or arctic libraries)
- Secure cookie configuration
- Rate limiting for credential auth
Best Practices
- Use database sessions over JWTs when possible
- Implement proper CSRF protection
- Validate all callback URLs strictly
- For credential auth: implement rate limiting
- Keep authentication libraries updated
- Test session invalidation works correctly
Is Lucia more secure because it's lower level?
Not inherently. Lower-level libraries give you more control but also more opportunities for mistakes. NextAuth's higher abstraction handles many security concerns automatically. A well-implemented NextAuth setup can be as secure as Lucia.
Should I use JWTs or database sessions?
Database sessions are generally more secure because they're revocable. If a session is compromised, you can invalidate it immediately. JWTs remain valid until expiry. Use database sessions unless you have specific scaling requirements.
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