How Better Auth Is Solving a Longstanding Developer Pain Point
Managing user authentication is often one of the most tedious and complex parts of software development. Developers everywhere search for flexible, scalable tools that let them handle logins, permissions, and user data securely—without reinventing the wheel every time. That’s exactly where Better Auth, a new open-source authentication framework, steps in. Built by Bereket Engida, a self-taught programmer from Ethiopia, Better Auth has gained traction for its simplicity and flexibility, and just secured $5 million in seed funding from investors like Peak XV and Y Combinator. This rising authentication solution is now poised to compete with major players like Auth0 and Firebase.
Why Developers Prefer Better Auth for Authentication
The core value of Better Auth lies in its developer-first approach. Unlike many authentication tools that enforce rigid structures or store sensitive user data externally, Better Auth gives full control to developers through its open-source TypeScript framework. It supports essential features like user roles, teams, and organization-level permissions—something most SaaS apps need, but few tools offer out of the box. Engida recognized this gap through years of experience as a remote developer. He saw time and again how existing tools limited customization or became too expensive at scale. Better Auth’s architecture not only solves these issues but also makes it easier to extend with plug-ins, allowing developers to add functionality using just a few lines of code.
From a Bedroom in Ethiopia to Silicon Valley Support
What makes Better Auth’s story even more remarkable is where it began. Engida developed the entire platform from Ethiopia before stepping foot in the United States. Inspired by necessity after struggling to build an e-commerce app, he self-taught programming and eventually transitioned into remote software roles. During those years, he noticed a recurring theme: authentication was always a pain point. After realizing no tool offered the customization and control developers needed, he scrapped his earlier projects and built Better Auth from the ground up. Now, the platform is not just functional—it’s beloved. Early adopters praise its intuitive structure and focus on developer experience. It’s a testament to how talent and vision can thrive even without traditional resources or Silicon Valley proximity.
What the $5M Funding Means for Better Auth’s Future
The recent $5 million seed round marks a pivotal moment for Better Auth’s growth. Backers include Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India & Southeast Asia), P1 Ventures, Chapter One, and Y Combinator, where the startup participated in a recent batch. This capital will help scale the open-source project, strengthen community support, and accelerate product development. Engida plans to invest in developer education and expand features that cater to modern SaaS applications. His goal is not just to make authentication easier but to enable developers to scale faster with tools they can fully control. With its rising popularity, Better Auth could soon become the go-to solution for startups and enterprise teams seeking a better authentication experience—one that’s customizable, cost-effective, and built by someone who deeply understands the problem.
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