Laravel + React Authentication the Right Way: Sanctum, JWT, or Passport?

“Good software is built by solving the right problems, not by using the fanciest tools.” — Anonymous

Authentication is one of the most critical architectural decisions when building a modern web application. In a typical setup where Laravel powers the backend API and React handles the frontend, choosing the wrong authentication strategy can lead to unnecessary complexity, security risks, and maintenance headaches.

Laravel offers multiple authentication approaches for SPAs and APIs, but three solutions dominate real-world usage:

• Laravel Sanctum

• Laravel Passport (OAuth2)

• JWT (JSON Web Token) Authentication

Each solves a different problem. This article provides a developer-focused comparison, real implementation flows, and practical guidance so you can confidently choose the right tool for your architecture.

Key Takeaways

• Sanctum is simple, secure, and ideal for Laravel + React SPAs

• Passport is enterprise-grade and built for OAuth2 ecosystems

• JWT is stateless and scales well for microservices

• The best choice depends on clients, domains, and security needs

• Avoid overengineering — pick the simplest solution that works

Index

1. Understanding Authentication Approaches

2. Detailed Comparison (Security, Performance, Complexity)

3. Implementation Overview

4. When to Choose What

5. Developer Recommendation

6. Code Examples

7. FAQ

8. Interesting Facts

9. Conclusion

1. Understanding the Authentication Approaches

1.1 Laravel Sanctum

Laravel Sanctum is a lightweight authentication system designed specifically for single-page applications (SPAs), mobile apps, and simple token-based APIs.

For SPAs like React, Sanctum uses cookie-based session authentication, backed by Laravel’s existing session and CSRF protection. No access tokens need to be stored on the frontend.

Key Features

• Cookie-based authentication for SPAs

• Built-in CSRF protection

• API tokens for external or machine clients

• Minimal configuration

• Official Laravel solution

Best For

• React, Vue, or Angular SPAs

• First-party applications

• Same-domain or subdomain setups

1.2 Laravel Passport (OAuth2)

Laravel Passport is a full OAuth2 authorization server built on top of the League OAuth2 server. It provides everything required to support multiple clients, scopes, refresh tokens, and delegated access.

Passport is powerful — but with that power comes significant complexity.

Key Features

• Complete OAuth2 implementation

• Access tokens & refresh tokens

• Token scopes and permissions

• Supports third-party integrations

Best For

• Enterprise applications

• Multi-tenant systems

• Third-party or public APIs

• Mobile + SPA + external clients

1.3 JWT Authentication

JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication is a stateless authentication mechanism where all user information is stored inside a signed token. Laravel does not include JWT by default, but packages like tymon/jwt-auth are commonly used.

JWT shines in distributed systems where session-based auth becomes difficult.

Key Features

• Stateless authentication

• No server-side session storage

• Works across domains

• Ideal for microservices

Best For

• Microservices architectures

• Cross-domain APIs

• Stateless systems

2. Detailed Comparison

2.1 Security

MethodSecurity ModelSanctumCookie-based, CSRF-protectedPassportOAuth2 token-basedJWTToken-based, stateless

• Sanctum is the safest option for SPAs because tokens are never exposed to JavaScript

• JWT requires careful storage (httpOnly cookies preferred)

• Passport is secure but increases attack surface due to complexity

2.2 Performance

• Sanctum uses standard Laravel sessions (very fast)

• JWT avoids database lookups (excellent for scale)

• Passport introduces overhead due to token management

3. Implementation Overview

3.1 Sanctum + React Flow

1. React requests CSRF cookie

2. User submits login credentials

3. Laravel authenticates and issues session cookie

4. React sends cookies automatically on each request

No token storage required.

3.2 Passport + React Flow

1. React requests OAuth token

2. Laravel issues access + refresh tokens

3. Tokens stored on frontend

4. Token refresh logic required

3.3 JWT + React Flow

1. User logs in

2. Laravel returns JWT

3. React stores token

4. Token sent in Authorization header

4. When to Choose What

Use Sanctum If

• You are building a React SPA

• Frontend and backend share a domain

• You want maximum security with minimal effort

Use Passport If

• You need OAuth2 compliance

• You support third-party integrations

• You have multiple independent clients

Use JWT If

• Your system is stateless

• You are building microservices

• You need cross-domain authentication

5. Developer Recommendation

For 90% of Laravel + React applications, the correct choice is:

Laravel Sanctum

It is secure, simple, officially supported, and purpose-built for SPAs. JWT should be used when statelessness is required, and Passport only when OAuth2 is truly necessary.

6. Code Examples

6.1 Sanctum + React Example

Laravel (routes/api.php)

use Illuminate\Http\Request;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route;

Route::middleware('auth:sanctum')->get('/user', function (Request $request) {
    return $request->user();
});

React Login

import axios from "axios";

axios.defaults.withCredentials = true;

export const login = async (email, password) => {
  await axios.get("http://localhost:8000/sanctum/csrf-cookie");

  return axios.post("http://localhost:8000/api/login", {
    email,
    password,
  });
};

6.2 Passport OAuth Example

export const getToken = async (email, password) => {
  return axios.post("http://localhost:8000/oauth/token", {
    grant_type: "password",
    client_id: CLIENT_ID,
    client_secret: CLIENT_SECRET,
    username: email,
    password,
    scope: "",
  });
};

6.3 JWT Example

Laravel Login

public function login(Request $request)
{
    if (! $token = auth()->attempt($request->only('email', 'password'))) {
        return response()->json(['error' => 'Invalid credentials'], 401);
    }

    return response()->json([
        'access_token' => $token,
        'token_type' => 'bearer',
        'expires_in' => auth()->factory()->getTTL() * 60
    ]);
}

7. FAQ

Which auth is best for React SPA?
Sanctum.

Is Passport overkill for small apps?
Yes.

Are JWTs secure?
Yes, when stored correctly.

Which scales best?
JWT for stateless systems.

8. Interesting Facts

• OAuth2 was created by teams at Twitter and Google

• JWTs are Base64-encoded, not encrypted

• Sanctum was introduced in Laravel 7

• Passport uses League OAuth2 server internally

“Programs must be written for people to read.” — Harold Abelson

9. Conclusion

Choosing between Sanctum, Passport, and JWT is not about trends — it’s about architecture.

• Sanctum → SPAs

• JWT → Distributed systems

• Passport → OAuth2 ecosystems

Pick the simplest solution that satisfies your requirements, and your future self will thank you.