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Clerk vs NextAuth.js (Auth.js)
Comparing two authentication platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Clerk — Authentication and user management. Clerk provides drop-in authentication, user management, and organizations with pre-built UI components.
NextAuth.js (Auth.js) — Authentication for the web. Auth.js (formerly NextAuth) is a free open-source authentication library for Next.js and other frameworks.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Clerk | NextAuth.js (Auth.js) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $25/mo | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| MFA | Yes | No |
| SAML/SSO | Yes | No |
| Free Tier | 10k MAU | Self-hosted |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| Pre-built UI | Yes | No |
| Social Login | Yes | Yes |
| Organizations | Yes | No |
Clerk
Authentication and user management
Pros
- Beautiful pre-built components
- Organizations and B2B features
- Great Next.js integration
Cons
- Vendor lock-in on auth layer
- Gets expensive at scale
NextAuth.js (Auth.js)
Authentication for the web
Pros
- Free and open source
- Huge provider catalog
- Self-hosted
Cons
- No built-in MFA/orgs
- You build your own UI
- Docs can be rough
Which should you choose?
Choose Clerk if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose NextAuth.js (Auth.js) if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Clerk or NextAuth.js (Auth.js)?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, NextAuth.js (Auth.js) is the safer default because NextAuth.js (Auth.js) is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Clerk is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Clerk cheaper than NextAuth.js (Auth.js)?
Clerk starts at $25/mo, while NextAuth.js (Auth.js) starts at Free. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Clerk to NextAuth.js (Auth.js)?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Clerk-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most authentication migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Clerk or NextAuth.js (Auth.js) open source?
NextAuth.js (Auth.js) is open source; Clerk is a proprietary managed service.
Does Clerk or NextAuth.js (Auth.js) have a free tier?
Both Clerk and NextAuth.js (Auth.js) offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Clerk. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.