Clerk vs Okta: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Clerk and Okta side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Clerk leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Clerk
Authentication for modern apps
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Okta
Enterprise identity management
Best for you if:
- • You want enterprise-grade
| At a Glance | Clerk | Okta |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $20/mo, billed yearly Pro plan | From $6/user/mo, billed monthly Starter plan |
Category | Identity & Access Developer Tools | Identity & Access Security |
Rating | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 126 reviews | 3.5/5 G2 4.5 · Trustpilot 1.4 1,704 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | SMS authentication costs $0.01 per message (US/CA), adds up for MFA-heavy apps | Potential for significant add-on costs for specific modules. |
Choose Clerk or Okta?
Choose Clerk if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want beautiful UI components
- You want easy setup
Choose Okta if
- You want enterprise-grade
- You want many integrations
In-Depth Analysis
Clerk
Authentication for modern apps
Clerk offers the most developer-friendly auth with 50K free users, enough for most startups to reach revenue before paying.
Watch out
SMS authentication costs $0.01 per message (US/CA), adds up for MFA-heavy apps
Strengths
- Pro: Beautiful UI components
- Pro: Easy setup
- Pro: Great DX
Weaknesses
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Pricing can add up
Key features
Okta
Enterprise identity management
Okta's pricing is on the expensive side, especially for smaller businesses.
Watch out
Potential for significant add-on costs for specific modules.
Strengths
- Pro: Enterprise-grade
- Pro: Many integrations
- Pro: Strong security
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Complex setup
Key features
Plans and prices: Clerk vs Okta
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk |
| clerk.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Okta |
| okta.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Clerk pricing and Okta pricing.
Key Takeaways
Clerk
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 3.5/5
- Has a free plan
Okta
- Choose if you want enterprise identity management
What the data shows
On the data below, Clerk leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Clerk has the higher user rating (4.8/5 from 126 reviews for Clerk, 3.5/5 from 1,704 reviews for Okta).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Clerk $20/mo, billed yearly; Okta $6/user/mo, billed monthly.
- Only Clerk has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Clerk and Okta compare in 2026?
On the data below, Clerk leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Clerk has the higher user rating (4.8/5 from 126 reviews for Clerk, 3.5/5 from 1,704 reviews for Okta). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Clerk $20/mo, billed yearly; Okta $6/user/mo, billed monthly. Only Clerk has a free plan.
What are Clerk and Okta used for?
Clerk: Authentication for modern apps. Okta: Enterprise identity management.
What does Clerk cost vs Okta?
Clerk's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $20/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Okta's cheapest paid plan is Starter at $6/user/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Clerk and Okta?
Clerk's main strength: beautiful UI components. Okta's main strength: enterprise-grade.