Clerk vs Neon: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Clerk positions itself as "authentication built for modern react and next.js apps" while Neon goes after "serverless postgres with scale-to-zero and branching" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Clerk charges per mau while Neon charges per project — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| Clerk | Neon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 85/100 | 82/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Authentication built for modern React and Next.js apps | Serverless Postgres with scale-to-zero and branching |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Clerk | Neon |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-built UI components | Yes | No |
| OAuth / OIDC | Yes | No |
| Social login | Yes | No |
| MFA | Yes | No |
| Passkeys | Yes | No |
| PostgreSQL compatible | No | Yes |
| Scale to zero | No | Yes |
| Database branching | No | Yes |
| Autoscaling | No | Yes |
| Point-in-time restore | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Clerk means going without PostgreSQL compatible, Scale to zero, Database branching (which Neon offers). Choosing Neon means losing Pre-built UI components, OAuth / OIDC, Social login. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
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
Choose Neon 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 Clerk or Neon better?
Clerk scores 85/100 compared to Neon's 82/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Clerk excels at ease of use (10/10) while Neon scores 9/10.
How much does Clerk cost compared to Neon?
Clerk starts at free (free tier available). Neon starts at free (free tier available). Clerk is the more affordable option.
Does Clerk or Neon have a free plan?
Yes, both Clerk and Neon offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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