20 best PHP User Authentication libraries in 2023

PHP User Authentication Libraries help add user authentication capabilities to a website or application. It implements a secure authentication system. 

These use cases include Creating a secure user login system, allowing users to reset their passwords securely, storing user information in a secure database, etc.  

PHP User Authentication Libraries are libraries of code that allow developers to quickly and easily add user authentication capabilities to a website or application. These libraries provide functions and tools to help developers implement a secure authentication system, such as user registration, password hashing, session management, and access control.  

Let us have a look at these Libraries in Detail below. 

jwt-auth 

• Offers a high degree of flexibility. 
• Supports multiple authentication methods, such as OAuth2 and Basic Authentication. 
• Supports multiple authorization methods, such as role-based authorization. 

hybridauth 

• Works on multiple platforms such as PHP, Java, .NET, etc.  
• Provides advanced security features such as OAuth 2.0, OpenID, etc.  
• Provides high performance and is optimized for scalability. 

php-graph-sdk 

• Provides industry-standard authentication and authorization protocols. 
• Designed to be scalable and can handle thousands of users at once. 
• Allows you to customize your authentication implementation. 

laravel-auth 

• Supports token-based authentication. 
• Provides database seeding. 
• Supports authorization two-factor authentication. 

sanctum 

• Allows you to define multiple authentication guards. 
• Refresh and revoke authentication tokens. 
• Helpful features such as token expiration, device limitation, and token revocation. 

CodeIgniter-Ion-Auth

• Built with security in mind. 
• Supports several different login methods. 
• Easy to set up role-based permissions. 

HWIOAuthBundle 

• Ensures secure authentication and authorization using the OAuth protocol. 
• Highly customizable and allows developers to add new OAuth providers easily.  
• Open source means developers can contribute to the project and access the source code. 

huge 

• Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection. 
• Password management with hashing, salting, and configurable complexity requirements. 
• User session management with encrypted session data. 

opauth 

• Supports a wide range of providers, including popular social media sites like Facebook. 
• Built on a modular approach, which makes it flexible and extensible. 
• Provides a secure authentication solution that helps keep users data safe. 

laravel-impersonate 

• Secure and Reliable. 
• Comprehensive Logging. 
• Flexible Permissions. 

security-core 

• Stores user data securely and can be used to store passwords. 
• Provides advanced security features such as password hashing. 
• Easy to use due to its intuitive and well-documented API. 

google2fa 

• Uses TOTP, which generates a unique one-time code for each login. 
• Provides an easy-to-navigate setup process. 
• Allows users to generate backup codes in case they lose access to the device they use for two-factor authentication. 

UserFrosting 

• Includes a powerful templating engine. 
• Uses a modern web development stack, including Bootstrap etc. 
• Allow developers to integrate user authentication and authorization into their applications easily. 

sentinel 

• Easy integration with popular frameworks. 
• A robust security framework. 
• Role-based authorization. 

security-guard 

• Provides user account management features such as password reset, password expiration, and account lockout.  
• Offers secure authentication with two-factor authentication via Google Authenticator or YubiKey. 
• Provides an out-of-the-box authentication system with password hashing, authentication rules, and access control lists. 

fortify 

• Designed to be simple and intuitive for developers to use. 
• Allows developers to customize the authentication process to their specific needs. 
• Comes with extensive documentation to help developers get started quickly. 

google-auth-library-php 

• Secure Authentication. 
• Multi-Platform Support. 
• Easy Integration. 

confide 

• Role-Based Access Control. 
• Uses bcrypt hashing algorithm to store a user's password securely. 
• Allows developers to customize and configure the authentication system. 

yii2-admin 

• Built-in protection from malicious attacks. 
• Easy-to-use interface for administering user accounts. 
• Mobile-friendly and has been optimized for use on mobile devices. 

halite 

• Includes features such as brute-force protection, two-factor authentication, and password reset functionality. 
• Uses modern cryptography techniques to protect user accounts. 
• Used in most web frameworks, including Laravel, Symfony, and Slim.

FAQ

1. What are the main PHP user authentication libraries available?  

Here are the main PHP User Authentication libraries available:  

• Laravel Sanctum  
• Laravel Jetstream  
• Symfony Security Component  
• Auth0 PHP SDK  
• Firebase Authentication  
• PHP League OAuth2 Server  
• Sentinel  
• HybridAuth  
• SimpleAuth  
• Bouncer  
• Aura.Auth  

2. How does one create a secure authentication system with PHP?  

Creating a secure authentication system with PHP involves many key practices and considerations. It ensures the protection of user data and prevents unauthorized access. Here is a step-by-step guide for helping you create a secure authentication system:  

• Use Password Hashing  
• Salting  
• Strong Password Policies  
• Secure Communication  
• Authentication Tokens  
• Session Management  
• Account Lockout and Brute Force Protection  
• Password Reset Mechanism  
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)  
• SQL Injection Prevention  
• Input Validation and Sanitization  
• Least Privilege Principle  
• Secure Coding Practices  
• User Education  
• Logging and Monitoring  

3. What information does the OAuth consent screen show when you log into an application?  

The info shown on the consent screen when you log in to an app can vary. How you use the PHP User Authentication libraries, and the OAuth providers affects it. Here is a brief explanation of what you might see on an OAuth consent screen: 

• Application Name and Logo  
• Requested Permissions/Scopes  
• Description  
• User Information  
• Authentication Provider  
• Authorization Confirmation  
• Option to Deny  
• Remember Consent  
• Third-Party Disclosure  
• Legal Information  

4. Can one use different PHP User Authentication libraries in one login system?  

Yes. You can use many PHP User Authentication libraries in one login system. To ensure the libraries work well, we must carefully plan, integrate, and test them. This avoids conflicts and security problems. When using many authentication libraries together, remember these important things. You should also follow some steps: 

• Compatibility  
• Clear Use Cases  
• User Data Consistency  
• Authentication Flow  
• Session and Token Management  
• Security  
• UI and User Experience  
• Testing  
• Documentation  
• Maintainability  
• Fallback Strategies  
• Compliance and Regulations  

5. Is there a benefit to using a certain library for Laravel apps with user authentication?  

Choosing the right library is important when creating a user authenticated Laravel application. Laravel is a powerful PHP framework. It provides built-in authentication functionality, but there are also third-party libraries. It can enhance or extend this functionality. Using a specific library for Laravel applications with user authentication has benefits. 

• Leverage Laravel’s Ecosystem  
• Simplicity and Consistency  
• Customization  
• Socialite Integration  
• Testing and Security  
• Laravels Fortify and Jetstream  
• Community and Documentation  
• Rapid Development  
• Simplicity for Small to Medium Projects  

6. Can we confirm users without using popular PHP User Authentication Libraries?  

Aside from PHP User Authentication Libraries, there are ways to check if users are real. These alternative methods can offer unique features or cater to specific use cases. Here are a few alternative methods:  

• Biometric Authentication  
• Physical Security Tokens  
• Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP)  
• FIDO2/WebAuthn  
• Client Certificate Authentication  
• Blockchain-based Authentication  
• Decentralized Identity (DID)  
• OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect  
• Smartphone-based Authentication  
• Magic Links  
• Behavioral Biometrics  
• Risk-Based Authentication  
• Voice Recognition  
• Passwordless Authentication  
• Adaptive Authentication