How to Build Your Own WorkOS
Replace WorkOS with a custom build. Your app, Enterprise Ready
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 29 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 29 features
Authentication(10 features)
Customizable UI for all authentication types with flexible authentication UI powered by WorkOS and Radix
Passwordless authentication with passkeys
Quickly add auth to your command-line tools
Email and password authentication with automatic password strength and leak detection
Verify user email addresses with magic codes
+5 more in this category
Developer Tools(4 features)
Modern SDKs for Node.js, Ruby, Python, .NET, Go, PHP, and Java
Multiple environments to map to your application development process including staging and production
Unified platform with modern APIs, JSON responses, and normalized objects
Realtime updates from directory services with webhook events
Customization(3 features)
Customize the look and feel to match your brand with custom branding and custom domains
Custom domain for AuthKit, Admin Portal, and email sender address
Host Admin Portal on your custom domain using CNAME
User Management(3 features)
User lifecycle management from corporate directories with SCIM provisioning and HRIS integrations
Automatic provisioning based on email or SSO
Complete auth and user management platform for managing users and organizations, setting policies, and supporting all auth types
Administration(2 features)
Self-serve onboarding for corporate IT admins with step-by-step setup guides and detailed screenshots
Dashboard that seamlessly integrates WorkOS into your application with realtime updates
Authorization(2 features)
Restrict domains, MFA, and SSO per organization
Powerful and flexible permissions for your users
Integration(2 features)
HRIS integration with Bamboo, Rippling, and others
SCIM provisioning with Okta, Entra ID, ADFS, and more for user lifecycle management
Security(2 features)
Real-time protection against bots, fraud, and abuse
EKM for encrypting and optionally storing objects
Cost Calculator
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Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 29 features at very easy complexity.