What does Better Auth replace?

Better Auth is a free alternative to Clerk ($240/yr).

Is Better Auth open source?

Yes. Better Auth is licensed under MIT, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Yes (self-hosted server; web UI).

Yes. Better Auth is a server app you run on your own server, and its repository includes Docker files.

A free, open-source alternative to Clerk. Switching saves $240/yr at list price.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

Self-hosted server

Replaces it Active Open source · MIT Linux Self-hostable

better-auth/better-auth30.3k★last push Oct 17, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

A TypeScript library, not a hosted service: you build the sign-in UI and user admin screens yourself.

Imports your data: official Clerk migration guide and script (users, passwords, social accounts; not organizations)

Self-host

Runs on your own Linux server, with Docker files in the repo. Setup docs are on better-auth.com.

What does Better Auth replace?: Better Auth is a free alternative to Clerk ($240/yr).
Is Better Auth open source?: Yes. Better Auth is licensed under MIT, an OSI-approved open-source license.
Does Better Auth run on Linux?: Yes (self-hosted server; web UI).
Can you self-host Better Auth?: Yes. Better Auth is a server app you run on your own server, and its repository includes Docker files.