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Clerk vs UploadThing

Clerk (Auth) and UploadThing (Storage) take different approaches to development. Clerk: Drop-in authentication with pre-built UI components optimized for React and Next.js UploadThing: Type-safe file upload library for Next.js Astro and SvelteKit with built-in CDN

Clerk logo

Clerk

Drop-in authentication with pre-built UI components optimized for React and Next.js

Category
Auth
Subcategory
Auth Provider
Pricing
Free (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo
Tier
free
authauth provider
UploadThing logo

UploadThing

Type-safe file upload library for Next.js Astro and SvelteKit with built-in CDN

Category
Storage
Subcategory
File Upload
Pricing
Free (2GB) / $10/mo+
Tier
free
storagefile upload

Key differences

DimensionClerkUploadThing
PricingFree (10K MAU) / Pro $25/moFree (2GB) / $10/mo+
PlatformAuth ProviderFile Upload
Capabilitiesauth, auth providerstorage, file upload

Choose Clerk if...

  • Clerk fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Choose UploadThing if...

  • UploadThing fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Community pros and cons

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Frequently asked questions

Is Clerk or UploadThing better for beginners?
Both tools are accessible. Clerk and UploadThing are similar in approachability — try both and see which workflow clicks.
Which is cheaper, Clerk or UploadThing?
Both have a free pricing model. Clerk: Free (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo. UploadThing: Free (2GB) / $10/mo+. Compare their specific plans to find the best value.
Can I use Clerk and UploadThing together?
Yes — Clerk (Auth) and UploadThing (Storage) serve different roles and can complement each other in a project.

Verdict

Clerk and UploadThing solve different problems. Choose based on whether you need a auth or a storage.

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