Bubble vs Clerk: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Bubble positions itself as "visual full-stack no-code app builder" while Clerk goes after "authentication built for modern react and next.js apps" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Bubble charges flat while Clerk charges per mau — a meaningful difference for larger teams. Bubble (founded 2012) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Clerk (2021) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Bubble | Clerk | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 71/100 | 85/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Visual full-stack no-code app builder | Authentication built for modern React and Next.js apps |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Bubble | Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Visual builder | Yes | No |
| Database (built-in) | Yes | No |
| Workflows/logic | Yes | No |
| API integrations | Yes | No |
| User auth | Yes | No |
| Pre-built UI components | No | Yes |
| OAuth / OIDC | No | Yes |
| Social login | No | Yes |
| MFA | No | Yes |
| Passkeys | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Bubble means going without Pre-built UI components, OAuth / OIDC, Social login (which Clerk offers). Choosing Clerk means losing Visual builder, Database (built-in), Workflows/logic. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
Choose Bubble if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Clerk if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Bubble or Clerk better?
Clerk scores 85/100 compared to Bubble's 71/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Bubble excels at ease of use (7/10) while Clerk scores 10/10.
How much does Bubble cost compared to Clerk?
Bubble starts at free (free tier available). Clerk starts at free (free tier available). Bubble is the more affordable option.
Does Bubble or Clerk have a free plan?
Yes, both Bubble and Clerk offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
Related comparisons
See how Bubble and Clerk compare to other developer tools tools.
Bubblevs
DatadogBubblevs
New RelicBubblevs
TwilioBubblevs
GitLabBubblevs
CircleCIBubblevs
Terraform / HCP TerraformBubblevs
PulumiBubblevs
Contentful