Lucia vs WorkOS for Next.js
Lucia and WorkOS both answer the same question in a Next.js project: how do users sign in? No longer a library but a reference that teaches you to implement sessions yourself, with code you copy and own. Auth aimed at teams selling to enterprises, where SAML, SCIM directory sync and audit logs are the actual requirement. Both cover the authentication layer competently, so the decision comes down to which set of tradeoffs you would rather live with for the next two years.
Verdict
Both cover the authentication layer competently, so the decision comes down to which set of tradeoffs you would rather live with for the next two years. For Next.js specifically, both are supported, so let the tradeoff above decide rather than the framework.
Pick Lucia if
- ✓You end up understanding exactly how your session cookies and tokens work.
- ✓Zero dependency to break, deprecate or change licence underneath you.
- ✓Session schema is yours, so it fits whatever data model you already have.
Pick WorkOS if
- ✓SAML and SCIM are first-class, not an afterthought priced behind sales calls.
- ✓Directory sync keeps enterprise customer user lists current automatically.
- ✓Audit logs and admin portal remove a common enterprise procurement blocker.
| Comparison | Lucia | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing shape | Free. It is documentation, so there is nothing to buy or subscribe to. | Free up to a sizable user count for standard auth, with enterprise connections priced per connected organization. |
| Frameworks | Next.js, SvelteKit | Next.js, Laravel |
| In one line | No longer a library but a reference that teaches you to implement sessions yourself, with code you copy and own. | Auth aimed at teams selling to enterprises, where SAML, SCIM directory sync and audit logs are the actual requirement. |
Pricing described qualitatively because published plans change often. Checked 2026-08-23. Confirm current terms on Lucia and WorkOS.
Lucia
Strengths
- ✓You end up understanding exactly how your session cookies and tokens work.
- ✓Zero dependency to break, deprecate or change licence underneath you.
- ✓Session schema is yours, so it fits whatever data model you already have.
- ✓Excellent teaching material even if you eventually pick a different tool.
Tradeoffs
- ✗Copied code means you carry the maintenance and security review forever.
- ✗No package upgrades, so fixes only land if you go looking for them.
- ✗Every provider, reset flow and rate limit is hand-rolled work.
- ✗Hard to justify on a team where nobody wants to own auth internals.
WorkOS
Strengths
- ✓SAML and SCIM are first-class, not an afterthought priced behind sales calls.
- ✓Directory sync keeps enterprise customer user lists current automatically.
- ✓Audit logs and admin portal remove a common enterprise procurement blocker.
- ✓Normalizes many identity providers behind a single consistent API.
Tradeoffs
- ✗Built for business-to-business, so consumer social login is not the sweet spot.
- ✗Per-connection enterprise pricing gets steep as you add corporate customers.
- ✗Identity lives with WorkOS, adding a hard external dependency to every login.
- ✗Overkill and over-configured if you never sell to companies with an IT department.
Same pair, different context
Frequently asked questions
Is Lucia or WorkOS better in a Next.js project?
Neither is better in the abstract. Both cover the authentication layer competently, so the decision comes down to which set of tradeoffs you would rather live with for the next two years. Pick the one whose downside you can absorb, because both upsides are real.
What is the main drawback of Lucia?
Copied code means you carry the maintenance and security review forever. No package upgrades, so fixes only land if you go looking for them.
What is the main drawback of WorkOS?
Built for business-to-business, so consumer social login is not the sweet spot. Per-connection enterprise pricing gets steep as you add corporate customers.
Do Lucia and WorkOS both support Next.js?
Yes, both list support for Next.js, which is why this comparison exists as a Next.js page. Next.js has two routing systems that look similar in code but behave completely differently, and most model training data blends them.