Stop Writing Your Own Auth: Why It Is a Security Risk
Authentication is "Undifferentiated Heavy Lifting." Your customers don't care how they login, they just care that their data doesn't leak. Buy it, don't build it.
What is Undifferentiated Heavy Lifting?
Undifferentiated Heavy Lifting is Jeff Bezos concept. Hard work that adds ZERO value to your unique product. (e.g. Hosting servers, writing Auth, building billing systems).
The 3 Core Benefits
Security
Auth providers have 500 security engineers. You have 0. Who is more likely to patch a 0-day vulnerability?
Speed
Integrating Clerk takes 10 minutes. Writing custom Auth takes 2 weeks. That is 2 weeks you could have spent building features.
UX
Users expect "Sign in with Google." Building that yourself is annoying. Providers give you Social Login out of the box.
The Buy vs Build Checklist
Is Auth your core product?
If you are building an Auth company (like Clerk), then build it. If you are building a To-Do app, BUY IT.
Cost Analysis
Auth0 is expensive at scale. Supabase/Clerk are cheap/free for startups. The "Time Cost" of building is higher than the SaaS fee.
Maintenance
Custom code rots. Libraries update. Breaking changes happen. Do you want to maintain login code forever? No.
Compliance
Need SOC2? GDPR? Buying Auth makes compliance easy. "We use an audited provider." Building it makes audits a nightmare.
User Experience
Ensure the auth flow is seamless. Redirect users back to where they were after login.
Custom Auth vs. Managed Auth
| Feature | Custom Auth | Managed Auth |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Leaky | Bank-Grade |
| Setup Time | 2 Weeks | 10 Minutes |
| Features | Basic | MFA, SSO, Social |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if they raise prices?
Migrate. Most providers allow you to export your user hashes. Vendor lock-in is real, but less risky than a data breach.
Can I use NextAuth?
Yes. NextAuth.js is a great middle ground. Open Source but standard. Better than rolling raw crypto.
Do I need MFA?
Yes. Even for MVPs. Security is not optional in 2026. Managed providers give you MFA for free.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
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