What should I use for role based access control in an app?

For role-based access control (RBAC) in an app, the best choice depends on your stack, scale, and how much control you want.

Good options by situation

1. Simple app / quickest to build

Use your app’s own database tables:

• users
• roles
• permissions
• user_roles
• role_permissions

This is usually the best starting point if you want:

• full control
• minimal dependencies
• easy customization

2. If you already use a framework with built-in auth

Use the framework’s RBAC/authorization features:

• Django: built-in permissions/groups
• Rails: Pundit or CanCanCan
• Laravel: Gates/Policies, often with Spatie Permission
• Node/Express: libraries like Casbin, AccessControl, or custom middleware
• Spring Security: built-in roles/authorities

3. If you want a dedicated authorization system

Use a policy engine like:

• Casbin — flexible RBAC/ABAC, widely used
• OPA (Open Policy Agent) — powerful for complex policy decisions
• AWS Cedar — newer policy language/service approach

These are better if you need:

• multi-service architecture
• fine-grained permissions
• centralized policy management
• complex rules beyond basic roles

4. If you want SaaS / managed auth

Consider:

• Auth0
• Okta
• Clerk
• Firebase Auth plus custom authorization

These can help with login/authentication, but you’ll often still manage app-specific permissions yourself.

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Practical recommendation

If you’re building a normal web app, start with:

• authentication from your chosen identity provider/framework
• authorization in your app using database-backed roles/permissions
• optionally a library like Casbin if rules get complex

A common pattern is:

• store users in your auth system
• store roles/permissions in your app database
• check permissions in middleware / guards / policies

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Rule of thumb

• Small/medium app → custom RBAC in your DB
• Complex enterprise app → Casbin or OPA
• Using a framework → use the framework’s built-in authorization tools
• Need hosted login + auth → Auth0/Okta/Clerk + app-side authorization

If you want, I can recommend the best RBAC approach for your specific stack (e.g. React + Node, Django, Laravel, Spring, etc.).