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Atlas Whoff
Atlas Whoff

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Clerk vs Auth.js vs Supabase Auth: Choosing the Right Auth for Your Next.js App

#javascript #typescript #nextjs #webdev

Clerk vs Auth.js vs Supabase Auth: Choosing the Right Auth for Your Next.js App

Auth is the part of every app that feels simple until it isn't.
Here's an honest comparison of the three main options for Next.js in 2026.

The Options

  • Clerk: Fully managed auth service with UI components
  • Auth.js (NextAuth v5): Open-source, runs in your app
  • Supabase Auth: Auth bundled with your database

Clerk: Pay for Simplicity 

npm install @clerk/nextjs
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// middleware.ts — protect routes
import { clerkMiddleware, createRouteMatcher } from '@clerk/nextjs/server'

const isProtectedRoute = createRouteMatcher(['/dashboard(.*)', '/settings(.*)'])

export default clerkMiddleware((auth, req) => {
  if (isProtectedRoute(req)) auth().protect()
})

// app/layout.tsx
import { ClerkProvider, SignInButton, UserButton } from '@clerk/nextjs'

export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
  return (
    <ClerkProvider>
      <html>
        <body>
          <SignInButton /> {/* or UserButton when signed in */}
          {children}
        </body>
      </html>
    </ClerkProvider>
  )
}

// Get user in server component
import { auth, currentUser } from '@clerk/nextjs/server'

export default async function Dashboard() {
  const { userId } = auth()
  const user = await currentUser()
  return <div>Hello {user?.firstName}</div>
}
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Pros: Drop-in UI components, user management dashboard, organizations, MFA all included.
Cons: $25/mo after 10k MAU. Data lives in Clerk's infrastructure.

Auth.js (NextAuth v5): Full Control 

npm install next-auth@beta
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// auth.ts
import NextAuth from 'next-auth'
import Google from 'next-auth/providers/google'
import GitHub from 'next-auth/providers/github'
import { PrismaAdapter } from '@auth/prisma-adapter'
import { prisma } from './lib/prisma'

export const { handlers, signIn, signOut, auth } = NextAuth({
  adapter: PrismaAdapter(prisma),
  providers: [Google, GitHub],
  callbacks: {
    session: ({ session, user }) => ({
      ...session,
      user: { ...session.user, id: user.id, plan: user.plan },
    }),
  },
})

// app/api/auth/[...nextauth]/route.ts
export { handlers as GET, handlers as POST } from '@/auth'

// middleware.ts
export { auth as middleware } from '@/auth'

// Get session in server component
const session = await auth()
if (!session) redirect('/login')
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Pros: Free, open source, data in your own DB, fully customizable.
Cons: More setup, you're responsible for security updates.

Supabase Auth: DB-Integrated 

// One client, both DB and auth
const supabase = createServerSupabaseClient()

const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

// Query data — RLS uses auth.uid() automatically
const { data: posts } = await supabase
  .from('posts')
  .select('*')  // automatically filtered to current user via RLS
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Pros: Auth and database tightly integrated, RLS works natively.
Cons: Locked into Supabase ecosystem.

Decision Matrix

Clerk Auth.js Supabase Auth
Setup time 30 min 2 hours 1 hour
Monthly cost Free to $25+ Free Free to $25+
Custom UI Limited Full control Limited
User management Built-in dashboard DIY Via Supabase dashboard
Social providers 20+ 50+ 20+
Best for Startups moving fast Control-oriented teams Supabase shops

My Default

Solo projects / early stage: Auth.js. Free, full control, Prisma integration.
Team with non-technical founders: Clerk. The user management dashboard is worth the cost.
Already using Supabase: Supabase Auth. No reason to use two systems.

The AI SaaS Starter Kit ships with Auth.js (NextAuth v5) pre-configured: Google + GitHub OAuth, Prisma adapter, session types extended. $99 one-time.

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