This is self-hosted auth: no third-party dashboard, no per-user pricing, and the server lives in your own tree at src/server/auth.ts, mounted at /api/auth/* through src/app/api/auth/[...all]+api.ts. It ships email/password plus Apple and Google (each enabled only when its keys are set), the screens src/app/(auth)/{sign-in,sign-up,reset} with src/screens/auth/*, and src/hooks/use-auth-redirect.ts (signed-out → /(auth)/sign-in, signed-in inside (auth) → /). It requires backend/api-routes, since it needs somewhere to run. @/lib/auth keeps the same API whichever option you pick - pick Better Auth when you want the user table to be yours.
When to pick Better Auth
Pick Better Auth if the user table has to be yours - it runs on your own API routes (backend/api-routes is required), with no third-party dashboard and no per-user pricing, in exchange for owning the database and the mail provider.
At a glance
- Runs in Expo Go
- Yes
- Files added
- 24
- npm packages
- 4
- Keys to paste
EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL- Included in
- Pro
- Screens added
/(auth)/reset,/(auth)/sign-in,/(auth)/sign-up- Tests included
- 5
Set it up
bun run setup --auth better-authSetup copies the module in, installs SDK-matched versions and removes the options you did not pick. Then bun run doctor lists every key still missing, with a link to where you get it. The step-by-step guide is in the Better Auth docs.
Wiring it by hand instead? Read the guide: Expo auth: Clerk vs Supabase vs Better Auth.
Better Auth vs other auth options
| Option | Expo Go | npm packages | Keys to paste | Included in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Auth | Yes | 4 | 1 | Pro |
| Supabase Auth | Yes | 4 | 2 | Pro |
| Clerk | Yes | 6 | 1 | Pro |
Questions
Can I use Better Auth in Expo Go?
Yes. This module runs in Expo Go, so you can try it before you make a development build.
What do I need to set up Better Auth in an Expo app?
Run bun run setup --auth better-auth, then paste one key into .env: EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL. bun run doctor lists any that are missing, with a link to where you get each one.
Which other modules does Better Auth need?
It needs a Backend option (API routes). Pick those in the same setup run.
Does the ReadyNative free tier include Better Auth?
No. Auth is a Pro category: the free tier and Starter ship it switched off. Pro is one payment with lifetime updates.
Can I build the app without Better Auth?
Yes. Pick none for auth (bun run setup --auth none) - auth.useSession() shim returns signed-out, signOut resolves.
Better Auth or Supabase Auth for Expo?
Pick Better Auth if the user table has to be yours - it runs on your own API routes (backend/api-routes is required), with no third-party dashboard and no per-user pricing, in exchange for owning the database and the mail provider. Pick Supabase if you also want a Postgres database and row-level security behind the same account - it's the cheapest path from zero to a real backend.
Better Auth or Clerk for Expo?
Pick Better Auth if the user table has to be yours - it runs on your own API routes (backend/api-routes is required), with no third-party dashboard and no per-user pricing, in exchange for owning the database and the mail provider. Pick Clerk if you'd rather buy user management outright: hosted accounts, a good dashboard, organizations, and a code-based sign-up flow that's already wired here.
What does Better Auth mean for the App Store and Google Play privacy forms?
It collects: Email address, name (account); Session tokens. Shared with: Nobody - stored on your own backend. Setup adds its data types to the iOS privacy manifest; the docs page lists the answers for Play's Data safety form.
Which Better Auth version does it install?
For Expo SDK 57: @better-auth/expo ^1.7.5, better-auth ^1.7.5, expo-network ~57.0.2, expo-secure-store ~57.0.4. Setup installs Expo packages with expo install, so they match the SDK.
Get it
Better Auth ships in Pro: one payment, lifetime updates. See pricing or browse every module.