Building a custom authentication system provides flexibility but often falls short of meeting contemporary security and user experience standards, prompting many to consider platforms like Descope for enhancements. Descope allows developers to integrate modern authentication features, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), risk-based checks, and magic link logins, without dismantling existing systems. Using OAuth, Descope acts as an identity provider, redirecting users through a secure MFA process which enhances security via a single-use, quickly expiring magic link. This integration is designed to be straightforward, adding security layers such as Google reCAPTCHA for fraud detection and adaptive flows that customize user experiences based on contextual data without requiring extensive backend changes. By serving as a plug-and-play security layer, Descope simplifies the addition of advanced authentication capabilities, allowing developers to maintain control over session management while benefiting from enhanced security features.