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Clerk vs Vercel

Clerk (Auth) and Vercel (Hosting/Deployment) take different approaches to development. Clerk: Drop-in authentication with pre-built UI components optimized for React and Next.js Vercel: Edge-first deployment platform optimized for Next.js with preview deploys and serverless

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
Vercel logo

Vercel

Edge-first deployment platform optimized for Next.js with preview deploys and serverless

Category
Hosting/Deployment
Subcategory
Frontend Hosting
Pricing
Free (hobby) / Pro $20/user/mo
Tier
free
hosting/deploymentfrontend hostingdeployment

Key differences

DimensionClerkVercel
PricingFree (10K MAU) / Pro $25/moFree (hobby) / Pro $20/user/mo
PlatformAuth ProviderFrontend Hosting
Capabilitiesauth, auth providerhosting/deployment, frontend hosting, deployment

Choose Clerk if...

  • Clerk fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Choose Vercel if...

  • You need built-in deployment features

Community pros and cons

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Frequently asked questions

Is Clerk or Vercel better for beginners?
Both tools are accessible. Clerk and Vercel are similar in approachability — try both and see which workflow clicks.
Which is cheaper, Clerk or Vercel?
Both have a free pricing model. Clerk: Free (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo. Vercel: Free (hobby) / Pro $20/user/mo. Compare their specific plans to find the best value.
Can I use Clerk and Vercel together?
Yes — Clerk (Auth) and Vercel (Hosting/Deployment) serve different roles and can complement each other in a project.

Verdict

Clerk and Vercel solve different problems. Choose based on whether you need a auth or a hosting/deployment.

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