Tesseral is an open-source authentication solution designed for modern applications. It offers a comprehensive platform including user management, multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and customizable branding options. Built with a focus on developer experience, Tesseral aims to simplify the integration of secure authentication into any application through its pre-built UI components and APIs, allowing developers to focus on core product features rather than complex auth implementation. The platform supports multiple identity providers and authentication methods, providing flexibility and control over the login experience.
Better Auth is a new authentication framework for TypeScript applications, designed to simplify and streamline the often complex process of user authentication. It offers a drop-in solution with pre-built UI components, backend logic, and integrations for popular databases and authentication providers like OAuth. The framework aims to handle common authentication flows like signup, login, password reset, and multi-factor authentication, allowing developers to focus on building their core product features rather than reinventing the authentication wheel. It also prioritizes security best practices and provides customizable options for adapting to specific application needs.
Hacker News users discussed Better Auth's focus on TypeScript, with some praising the type safety and developer experience benefits while others questioned the need for a new authentication solution given existing options. Several commenters expressed interest in features like social login integration and passwordless authentication, hoping for more details on their implementation. The limited documentation and the developer's reliance on pre-built UI components also drew criticism, alongside concerns about vendor lock-in. Some users suggested exploring alternative approaches like using existing providers or implementing authentication in-house, particularly for simpler projects. The closed-source nature of the project also raised questions about community involvement and future development. Finally, a few commenters offered feedback on the website's design and user experience.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44117059
HN commenters generally expressed interest in Tesseral, praising its comprehensive approach to authentication and modern tech stack. Several pointed out the difficulty of building and maintaining auth infrastructure, making Tesseral a potentially valuable tool. Some questioned the project's longevity and support given its reliance on a relatively small company. Others requested features like self-hosting and alternative database support. A few commenters discussed the licensing and potential conflicts with using the free tier for commercial purposes. Comparison to other auth solutions like Auth0 and Keycloak were also made, with some suggesting Tesseral's focus on end-to-end encryption as a differentiator. Concerns about GDPR compliance and data residency were raised, along with the complexity of managing encryption keys.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Tesseral – Open-Source Auth" at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44117059 generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a number of commenters expressing interest and raising pertinent questions about the project.
Several commenters focused on the project's licensing, specifically its use of the Business Source License (BSL). Some expressed concern about the implications of the BSL, particularly for commercial use, and questioned whether it truly qualifies as "open source." Others defended the BSL as a legitimate licensing option that allows developers to balance open access with the potential for future commercialization. This discussion touched upon the nuances of open-source licensing and different interpretations of what constitutes "truly" open source.
Another key area of discussion revolved around the project's features and how they compare to existing authentication solutions like Auth0, Keycloak, and Ory. Commenters asked about specific features like multi-tenancy, social login integration, and support for various authentication protocols. The project author actively engaged in these discussions, providing clarifications and explaining the project's roadmap. This back-and-forth provided valuable insights into the project's strengths and weaknesses relative to established players in the authentication space.
Some commenters also inquired about the technical implementation details, such as the choice of programming language (Rust) and the database used. The use of Rust generated some positive comments regarding security and performance.
There were also questions about the project's long-term sustainability and business model. Commenters wondered how the project planned to generate revenue given its open-source nature. The discussion around the business model tied back to the earlier conversation about the BSL and the potential for future commercialization.
Finally, some commenters offered suggestions for improvement, including better documentation and more comprehensive examples. These comments reflect a general interest in the project and a desire to see it succeed. Overall, the comments section provided a valuable forum for discussion about the project, its features, its licensing, and its potential future.