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Clerk vs WorkOS
Rankings as of
Last updated
Short answer: pick Clerk for this job: Sign-in components you do not design yourself. Pick WorkOS for this job: SSO when a company customer requires it. Clerk scores 8.2 and is #1 in Auth. WorkOS scores 6.9 and is #3 in Auth.
| Compared on | Clerk | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted auth with prebuilt components for Next.js and friends. | Enterprise SSO, directory sync, and auth for B2B apps. |
| StackPick job | Auth, #1 | Auth, #3 |
| Best for | Sign-in components you do not design yourself | SSO when a company customer requires it |
| Score | 8.2 | 6.9 |
| Ease / Power / Price / Fit | 9 / 8 / 6 / 9 | 7 / 8 / 6 / 6 |
| Pricing | FreemiumFree allowance, then paid by monthly active users. Current prices: check site. | Check siteFree allowance for early use has been offered. Current prices: check site. |
| Visit | Visit | Visit |
Where Clerk fits
Clerk is a hosted authentication product with drop-in components for sign-in, sessions, and user profiles. It is a common default for Next.js apps that do not want to build auth. There is a free tier up to a monthly active user allowance. Current allowance and prices: check site.
Best use cases
- Next.js apps that need users this weekend
- Social login and user profiles
- Organizations, if the product is multi-tenant — confirm the current plan
Listed strengths
- Prebuilt UI means auth is an afternoon, not a week
- The Next.js integration is a first-class path
- A free allowance covers early projects
Trade-off: You are renting a critical path The bill follows monthly active users. Prices: check site
Where WorkOS fits
WorkOS sells the enterprise auth features B2B buyers ask for: single sign-on, directory sync, and audit logs, plus a user-management API. Use it when a customer asks for SAML. Use Clerk or Auth.js before that question shows up. Pricing: check site.
Best use cases
- SAML or OIDC single sign-on
- Directory sync for a B2B app
- Adding enterprise auth without building it
Listed strengths
- The enterprise checklist is the product
- You can add it when a deal requires it, not on day one
- A free tier for early SSO connections has been part of the offer
Trade-off: Overkill for a consumer app or a weekend project Current prices: check site
Where the score comes from
Both score 8 for Power and 6 for Price. The 1.3 gap comes from ease (9 vs 7) and vibe-coder fit (9 vs 6). How scores work.
What changed recently
Nothing in this window.
Alternatives
Auth.js (6.9).
Also listed as alternatives: Supabase.
FAQ
- Should I pick Clerk or WorkOS?
- Pick Clerk for this job: Sign-in components you do not design yourself. Pick WorkOS for this job: SSO when a company customer requires it. Clerk scores 8.2 and is #1 in Auth. WorkOS scores 6.9 and is #3 in Auth.
- What do Clerk and WorkOS cost?
- Clerk: Free allowance, then paid by monthly active users. Current prices: check site. WorkOS: Free allowance for early use has been offered. Current prices: check site.
- Are these scores benchmarks?
- Initial editorial estimate. Not a measured benchmark. Price means value for an indie budget, not the sticker price.
- Do affiliate links change Clerk or WorkOS’s rank?
- Affiliate links may be used to monetize, but they never affect scores or rankings, and rankings are never sponsored.
Initial editorial estimate. Not a measured benchmark. Prices: check each vendor’s site. How scores work.
Some links may earn us a commission. It never changes scores or order.
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