Choosing the best access control model for your frontend

Access control is essential for web applications, primarily to enhance user experience rather than enforce security. The text discusses various access control models suitable for frontend applications, with a focus on Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) due to its simplicity, scalability, and compatibility with frameworks like React and Next.js. RBAC restricts user interface elements based on user roles, making it efficient and easy to manage, although it can become rigid with too many roles. Alternatives like Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) offer more granular control but can be complex and less performant on the frontend, whereas Access Control Lists (ACL) and Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC) are better suited for backend use due to their complexity and performance demands. The document suggests that combining RBAC with ABAC can address more complex access scenarios, while cautioning against using PBAC for frontend purposes. Overall, RBAC remains the preferred choice for most frontend applications, providing a balanced approach to managing user interactions while maintaining a clean and user-friendly interface.