Auth and Auth is Hard - Featured Image
Web development2 min read

Auth and Auth is Hard

As developers, we shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel every time we build something new. In this case, I'm referring to authentication and authorization systems. We shouldn't have limited options when implementing something so critical to our SaaS applications or side projects.

The current options and why they're not perfect

Firebase offers a solid foundation but restricts developers with its rigid structure and limited customization capabilities. While it handles basic authentication well, it becomes constraining when you need specific user flows or custom database integrations.

Auth0 delivers enterprise-grade features but introduces unnecessary complexity and cost overhead for smaller applications. Its extensive feature set, while powerful, can overwhelm developers who simply need straightforward authentication.

This recurring challenge in my development projects motivated me to create a purpose-built authentication and authorization API that fills this gap between Firebase's limitations and Auth0's complexity.

What I built instead

After analyzing the gaps in existing solutions, I developed a comprehensive authentication system that bridges the divide between Firebase's constraints and Auth0's complexity. This solution addresses the core needs of modern developers.

Core features

  1. User authentication system including registration, login, password reset, and email verification

  2. Rate limiting implementation utilizing Redis for optimal performance

  3. IP whitelisting capabilities and comprehensive security headers

  4. Role-based access control for granular permissions management

  5. Admin seeding functionality with Redis-powered token rotation

Use case

This solution is specifically designed for developers building secure applications such as admin panels, SaaS platforms, and dashboards who require a robust backend infrastructure without the complexity of building from scratch.

Why this matters

The development community consistently encounters the same challenges:

  • Firebase offers solid functionality but limited customization options

  • Auth0 provides extensive features but introduces unnecessary complexity for simple projects

  • Building custom solutions from scratch requires significant time investment and carries inherent security risks

This API solution occupies the optimal middle ground - offering greater flexibility than Firebase, reduced complexity compared to Auth0, and significantly faster implementation than custom development.

Perfect for

  • Admin panels requiring secure access control

  • SaaS platforms with comprehensive user management needs

  • Side projects demanding professional-grade authentication

  • Dashboards requiring role-based access permissions

Let's build together

Rather than investing weeks in authentication boilerplate code, developers can focus on creating unique product features. This API handles the essential security foundation, enabling teams to concentrate on building differentiating functionality.

Ready to move beyond reinventing authentication solutions?


For collaboration opportunities or technical implementation details, let's connect and contribute to making authentication more accessible for the developer community. Check it out: Github

Posted on: 16/7/2025

Thesbd

Backend developer

Posted by





Subscribe to our newsletter

Join 2,000+ subscribers

Stay in the loop with everything you need to know.

We care about your data in our privacy policy

Background shadow leftBackground shadow right

Have something to share?

Write on the platform and dummy copy content

Be Part of Something Big

Shifters, a developer-first community platform, is launching soon with all the features. Don't miss out on day one access. Join the waitlist: