Top 5 authentication solutions for secure Go apps in 2026

Authentication in Go applications is crucial for maintaining development velocity and feature capabilities, especially when catering to enterprise clients. Developers must choose solutions compatible with Go's simplicity and performance characteristics, leveraging its standard library without relying heavily on frameworks. While Go provides fundamental tools through its crypto, net/http, and session packages, advanced features like SAML SSO and SCIM provisioning require specialized solutions. The Go ecosystem offers various authentication options, from enterprise platforms like WorkOS, which provides comprehensive authentication and user management features ideal for B2B SaaS, to open-source identity infrastructures like Ory, Casdoor, Authelia, and Supabase Auth, each catering to different needs and operational capabilities. WorkOS excels in enterprise environments with built-in SSO, SCIM, and multi-tenancy, while Ory offers robust open-source options but demands strong DevOps skills. Casdoor provides a user-friendly IAM platform but with fewer enterprise-grade features. Authelia suits smaller setups needing centralized authentication, and Supabase Auth integrates well within its ecosystem, although it lacks some Go-native advantages. Ultimately, developers should select a solution that aligns with their project's current and future needs, ensuring scalability, security, and readiness for enterprise demands.