Own Auth vs. Clerk
Clerk provides pre-built authentication UI and a managed backend. Own Auth provides custom flows with users, sessions, and credentials in your Postgres database.
Last reviewed against first-party sources on .
Own Auth as a Clerk alternative
You want your user data in your own database, need full control over your auth flows, and prefer open-source dependencies you can audit and fork.
| Feature | Own Auth | Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | Your database | Their cloud |
| Open source | Fully open source | Proprietary |
| Framework lock-in | None | SDKs for multiple frameworks |
| Self-hostable | Runs in your backend | Hosted only |
| Passwords | Built in | Built in |
| Magic links | Built in | Built in |
| Phone / SMS login | Built in | Built in |
| Sessions | Database-backed | JWT-based |
| Organisations | Built in | Built in |
| API keys | Built in | Usage-priced feature |
| Audit logs | Built in | Application Logs, retention varies |
| Rate limiting | Built in | Built in |
| Pricing | Free and open source | Free tier, then plan and usage fees |
Feature
Data ownership
Own Auth
Your databaseClerk
Their cloudFeature
Open source
Own Auth
Fully open sourceClerk
ProprietaryFeature
Framework lock-in
Own Auth
NoneClerk
SDKs for multiple frameworksFeature
Self-hostable
Own Auth
Runs in your backendClerk
Hosted onlyFeature
Passwords
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Built inFeature
Magic links
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Built inFeature
Phone / SMS login
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Built inFeature
Sessions
Own Auth
Database-backedClerk
JWT-basedFeature
Organisations
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Built inFeature
API keys
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Usage-priced featureFeature
Audit logs
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Application Logs, retention variesFeature
Rate limiting
Own Auth
Built inClerk
Built inFeature
Pricing
Own Auth
Free and open sourceClerk
Free tier, then plan and usage feesData ownership
Clerk stores its user records in Clerk's hosted service and exposes them through its APIs. Clerk also documents self-service exports, including hashed passwords, for migrations away. With Own Auth, the auth records live in your Postgres database from day one, so application queries and backups do not depend on a hosted identity API.
Pricing model
Clerk publishes a free Hobby plan and paid plans with retained-user, organisation, machine-authentication, and add-on charges depending on usage. Check Clerk's pricing page for the current thresholds. The Own Auth library is fully open source and free to use, while you pay for the infrastructure and optional services you choose.
Developer experience
Clerk's strength is speed-to-launch through pre-built components and a managed backend. Own Auth requires application routes and UI, then gives the team direct control over each flow.
Own Auth as a Clerk alternative
Own Auth fits applications with a trusted backend and Postgres that need custom sign-in, recovery UI, and directly revocable database sessions. Clerk fits teams prioritising managed identity operations and pre-built components.
Lock-in and migration
Clerk's components and API surface are proprietary, although Clerk provides documented user exports. Moving away still means replacing Clerk-specific UI, session handling, and API integration. Own Auth keeps the source auth records in your database, but replacing any auth library still requires schema and application integration work.
Sources
Product features and prices change. Confirm the current details on these first-party pages before making a purchasing decision.
Clerk fits
You want pre-built UI components, don't mind a hosted dependency, and need to ship auth this afternoon without touching your database.
Own Auth fits
You want your user data in your own database, need full control over your auth flows, and prefer open-source dependencies you can audit and fork.
Ready to own your auth?
Two commands. Auth is in your app.