Auth0 vs Clerk
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right authentication solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Both tools are excellent choices with similar feature sets. Your decision should be based on pricing, ecosystem fit, and specific use case requirements.
Auth0
Enterprise-grade identity platform
Best for
Decision Guide
Clerk is the fastest way to ship polished auth for modern web apps. Auth0 is more configurable and enterprise-ready, but takes longer to implement well.
Choose Auth0 if you need
- Enterprise apps with strict compliance
- Multi-platform products (web, mobile, legacy)
- Deeply custom auth flows
- Teams with dedicated auth engineers
Choose Clerk if you need
- Next.js teams that want polished UI out of the box
- Startups optimizing for speed
- Apps that need organizations and teams quickly
- Teams with limited auth engineering time
Decision factors
- Developer experience and time to ship
- Enterprise SSO and compliance needs
- Customization depth
- Pricing at 100k+ MAU
Pricing notes
- Clerk pricing can grow quickly with MAU
- Auth0 pricing tiers are complex at scale
- Model costs at 100k MAU before committing
Migration notes
- Keep a stable internal user ID independent of the provider
- Plan for changes to login UI and branding
- Map organizations and roles carefully if migrating
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Auth0 | Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Social OAuth | Yes | Yes |
| Magic Links | Yes | Yes |
| MFA/2FA | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-built UI | Yes Universal Login | Yes |
| Session Management | Yes | Yes |
| Organizations/Teams | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | No | No |
Pricing Comparison
Auth0
Clerk
Auth0 Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Enterprise-grade security
- +Extensive customization
- +Backed by Okta
- +Great documentation
Cons
- -Complex pricing
- -Steeper learning curve
- -UI feels dated compared to Clerk
Clerk Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Beautiful pre-built UI components
- +Excellent developer experience
- +Great React/Next.js integration
- +Organizations and multi-tenancy built-in
Cons
- -Can get expensive at scale
- -Vendor lock-in
- -No self-hosted option
Auth0 Verdict
Auth0 is the go-to for enterprise applications with complex auth needs. More powerful but more complex than alternatives.
Clerk Verdict
Clerk is the best choice for React/Next.js developers who want beautiful auth out of the box. The DX is unmatched, but costs can add up.
More options in Authentication
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Auth0 vs Clerk
Is Auth0 or Clerk better?
It depends on your use case. Auth0 is best for enterprise apps and complex auth requirements. Clerk is best for react/next.js apps and startups wanting fast auth. Auth0 is the go-to for enterprise applications with complex auth needs. More powerful but more complex than alternatives.
Is Auth0 free?
Yes, Auth0 offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $35/mo.
Is Clerk free?
Yes, Clerk offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $25/mo.
Can I migrate from Auth0 to Clerk?
Yes, you can migrate from Auth0 to Clerk, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Auth0 or Clerk?
Both Auth0 and Clerk are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.