Tool profile
Open-source authentication platform for Next.js and React apps with hosted or self-hosted deployment paths.
Auth for Next.js SaaS products
Stack Auth is an open-source auth platform aimed at product teams that like Clerk-style developer ergonomics but want a clearer escape hatch. It provides sign-in and sign-up components, user management, organizations and teams, permissions, RBAC, impersonation, webhooks, JWT/session handling, OAuth connections, and APIs that fit modern React and Next.js projects.
The editorial reason to care is control. Stack Auth can be used as a managed service, but the project is built around an open-source core and self-hosting option. That makes it a strong fit for teams that want fast auth setup today without accepting a permanent hosted-auth dependency. The tradeoff is maturity: compared with larger identity vendors, you should evaluate enterprise requirements, migration tooling, support expectations, and compliance needs with extra care.
Quick fit
Editorial take
Stack Auth belongs on the shortlist when the buyer is deciding between hosted-auth speed and long-term platform control. Treat its open-source posture as a strategic feature, but validate support and enterprise controls before standardizing it for regulated deployments.
What it does well
Primary use cases
Fit notes
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Pricing snapshot
Stack Auth's hosted pricing page lists Free at $0 for individuals, Team at $49/month, Growth at $299/month, and self-hosting as free. Free includes up to 10K users, Team includes up to 50K users and 3 dashboard admins, and Growth includes unlimited users plus 3 SAML SSO connections before extra-connection fees.
Auth0
Free planB2B SaaS selling into buyers expecting SAML, SCIM, and audit evidence
Identity platform for adding authentication, user management, SSO, and access control to apps.
Free: 25k MAU; Essentials/Professional self-serve: 500 MAU on public 2026 cards—confirm before budgeting.
