Rails 8 Authentication: Devise vs Clearance vs Built-In Options

Authentication is a critical component of any web application. With the release of Rails 8, developers have multiple options for integrating user authentication into their applications. This blog will compare the built-in authentication features of Rails 8, the popular Devise gem, and the minimalist Clearance gem. We will cover how to integrate each option, compare their features, and help you decide which is the best fit for your project.

1. Rails 8 Built-In Authentication

Rails 8 introduces an in-house authentication solution called Rails Authentication. This approach provides:

• Lightweight implementation: Focused on simplicity and convention over configuration.

• No external dependencies: Fully integrated with Rails, reducing compatibility concerns.

• Customizability: Offers flexibility in writing authentication logic according to your application’s specific needs.

How to Integrate

Rails 8 authentication can be implemented using Active Record and Rails’ built-in tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Generate a User model:

rails generate model User email:string password_digest:string

2. Add has_secure_password to the User model:

In Rails, the has_secure_password method provides an easy way to securely hash and authenticate passwords, leveraging the bcrypt gem. Here's a quick rundown of how it works:

What has_secure_password Does:

Password Hashing*: It hashes passwords using BCrypt, which is a slow and computationally expensive algorithm, making it resistant to brute-force attacks.*

Password Confirmation*: Automatically adds validation to ensure the* password and password_confirmation fields match (if password_confirmation is present).

Password Authentication*: Adds an* authenticate method to verify the password.

class User < ApplicationRecord
  has_secure_password
  validates :email, presence: true, uniqueness: true
end

3. Set up routes and controllers:

# config/routes.rb
resources :sessions, only: [:new, :create, :destroy]

# app/controllers/sessions_controller.rb
class SessionsController < ApplicationController
  def create
    user = User.find_by(email: params[:email])
    if user&.authenticate(params[:password])
      session[:user_id] = user.id
      redirect_to root_path, notice: "Logged in successfully."
    else
      flash.now[:alert] = "Invalid email or password."
      render :new
    end
  end

  def destroy
    session[:user_id] = nil
    redirect_to root_path, notice: "Logged out."
  end
end

4. Secure passwords with BCrypt: Rails’ built-in has_secure_password relies on BCrypt for hashing passwords.

2. Devise Gem

Devise is one of the most popular authentication libraries for Rails. It provides a comprehensive suite of features out of the box:

• Modules for extended functionality: Registerable, Recoverable, Rememberable, Confirmable, and more.

• Out-of-the-box views: Includes prebuilt views for sign-up, login, password recovery, etc.

• Highly configurable: Allows customization of controllers, routes, and views.

How to Integrate

1. Add Devise to your Gemfile:

gem 'devise'

Run bundle install.

2. Install Devise:

rails generate devise:install

Follow the installation instructions provided in the console output.

3. Generate a User model with Devise:

rails generate devise User
rake db:migrate

4. Customize views (optional):

rails generate devise:views

This will copy Devise’s views into your application, allowing you to modify them as needed.

5. Protect specific routes:

Use the before_action filter in your controllers:

before_action :authenticate_user!

3. Clearance Gem

Clearance is a minimalist authentication gem by Thoughtbot. It is simpler than Devise, focusing on the essentials:

• Lightweight: Provides only basic authentication features like sign-up, sign-in, and password management.

• Extensible: Allows customization without enforcing a specific structure.

• Rails-like conventions: Aligns closely with Rails principles.

How to Integrate

1. Add Clearance to your Gemfile:

gem 'clearance'
Run bundle install.

2. Install Clearance:

rails generate clearance:install

3. Run migrations:

rails db:migrate

4. Modify routes (optional):

Customize your application’s routing if needed:

Clearance.configure do |config|
  config.routes = false
end

Then define your own routes.

5. Use helpers in views:

<% if signed_in? %>
  Welcome, <%= current_user.email %>
<% else %>
  <%= link_to 'Sign In', sign_in_path %>
<% end %>

Feature Comparison

Which One Should You Choose?

Rails 8 Built-In:

Choose this if you want complete control over your authentication logic and minimal dependencies. Ideal for projects that need lightweight, custom authentication.

2. Devise:

Go for Devise if you need a robust, feature-rich solution that works out of the box. Perfect for applications where speed of implementation is critical and default modules meet your needs.

3. Clearance:

Opt for Clearance if you prefer a simple, minimalist solution with flexibility to extend as needed. Best for projects where you need a lightweight framework but want more control than Devise offers.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right authentication solution depends on your application’s requirements, team expertise, and the level of customization you need. Rails 8 built-in authentication is a great option for those who value flexibility, while Devise and Clearance cater to developers looking for quick implementations or minimalist solutions, respectively.

We hope this guide helps you make an informed decision.