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AWS SES vs Clerk

AWS SES (Email) and Clerk (Auth) take different approaches to development. AWS SES: Cheapest high-volume email sending at $0.10 per thousand with AWS integration Clerk: Drop-in authentication with pre-built UI components optimized for React and Next.js

AWS SES logo

AWS SES

Cheapest high-volume email sending at $0.10 per thousand with AWS integration

Category
Email
Subcategory
Transactional Email
Pricing
Free (3K/mo) / $0.10/1K emails
Tier
free
emailtransactional email
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

Key differences

DimensionAWS SESClerk
PricingFree (3K/mo) / $0.10/1K emailsFree (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo
PlatformTransactional EmailAuth Provider
Capabilitiesemail, transactional emailauth, auth provider

Choose AWS SES if...

  • AWS SES fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Choose Clerk if...

  • Clerk fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Community pros and cons

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Frequently asked questions

Is AWS SES or Clerk better for beginners?
Both tools are accessible. AWS SES and Clerk are similar in approachability — try both and see which workflow clicks.
Which is cheaper, AWS SES or Clerk?
Both have a free pricing model. AWS SES: Free (3K/mo) / $0.10/1K emails. Clerk: Free (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo. Compare their specific plans to find the best value.
Can I use AWS SES and Clerk together?
Yes — AWS SES (Email) and Clerk (Auth) serve different roles and can complement each other in a project.

Verdict

AWS SES and Clerk solve different problems. Choose based on whether you need a email or a auth.

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