Discuss your app

High-value capability

Social Login

OAuth-based login with Google, Apple, Facebook, and other identity providers.

2-4 daysTypical timeline
$500 - $1,500Typical range
4Approaches compared

SCOPE DECISION

Does this belong
in the first release?

A capability is only essential when the product promise depends on it. Use these signals to keep the decision tied to user value.

INCLUDE WHEN

The product needs it now

  • 01
    Consumer-facing applications
  • 02
    Reducing signup friction is priority
  • 03
    Users expect social options
  • 04
    Quick time-to-value is important
LEAVE OUT WHEN

The release works without it

  • 01
    B2B enterprise (SSO instead)
  • 02
    Privacy-conscious user base
  • 03
    Regulatory requirements limit third-party auth

IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

Choose the approach
that fits the product.

The right technology depends on ownership, scale, integration depth, and how much operational responsibility the team wants to carry.

NextAuth.jsOpen-source auth for Next.js with many providers

Strengths
  • Many OAuth providers
  • Free
  • Good documentation
  • Customizable
Tradeoffs
  • Next.js focused
  • More setup than hosted

ClerkDrop-in authentication with social providers

Strengths
  • Beautiful UI
  • Many providers
  • Easy setup
  • Good DX
Tradeoffs
  • Recurring cost
  • Vendor dependency

Supabase AuthAuth with social providers built-in

Strengths
  • Free tier
  • Many providers
  • Integrated with Supabase
Tradeoffs
  • Tied to Supabase
  • Less customizable

Firebase AuthGoogle-backed auth with social login

Strengths
  • Free tier
  • Reliable
  • Many providers
Tradeoffs
  • Google dependency
  • NoSQL tie-in

DELIVERY SEQUENCE

A practical path
through the work.

  • 01Research which providers your users prefer
  • 02Register apps with OAuth providers
  • 03Configure OAuth credentials securely
  • 04Implement OAuth flow
  • 05Handle account linking (same email)
  • 06Store and sync user profile data
  • 07Handle token refresh
  • 08Test across browsers and devices

WATCH FOR

Common implementation mistakes.

  • 01
    Only offering social login (users want email option)
  • 02
    Not handling email conflicts
  • 03
    Requesting too many permissions
  • 04
    Not storing provider tokens for API access
  • 05
    Missing error handling for denied permissions
  • 06
    Not implementing account unlinking

QUESTIONS

Before you commit the scope.

Which social providers should I support?+

Google is essential (widest reach). Add Apple for iOS apps (required by App Store). GitHub for developer tools. Facebook for consumer social apps.

How do I handle users with same email on multiple providers?+

Link accounts by verified email. When user signs in with new provider but email exists, either auto-link or require verification.

Should social login be my only option?+

No. Always offer email/password too. Users want choice, and social providers can have outages or policy changes.

RELATED DECISIONS

Continue mapping the release.

Core capability

User Authentication

Secure login and registration systems including email/password, social auth, and passwordless options.

DISCUSS YOUR APP

Turn this decision
into working software.

Bring the product context and current scope. We will choose the approach after the release is clear.

Discuss your app