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Clerk vs Render

Clerk (Auth) and Render (Hosting/Deployment) take different approaches to development. Clerk: Drop-in authentication with pre-built UI components optimized for React and Next.js Render: Unified cloud for web services databases cron jobs and static sites with auto-deploy

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
Render logo

Render

Unified cloud for web services databases cron jobs and static sites with auto-deploy

Category
Hosting/Deployment
Subcategory
Full-Stack PaaS
Pricing
Free tier / Pro $19/mo
Tier
free
hosting/deploymentfull-stack paasdeployment

Key differences

DimensionClerkRender
PricingFree (10K MAU) / Pro $25/moFree tier / Pro $19/mo
PlatformAuth ProviderFull-Stack PaaS
Capabilitiesauth, auth providerhosting/deployment, full-stack paas, deployment

Choose Clerk if...

  • Clerk fits your specific workflow and team preferences

Choose Render if...

  • You need built-in deployment features

Community pros and cons

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Frequently asked questions

Is Clerk or Render better for beginners?
Both tools are accessible. Clerk and Render are similar in approachability — try both and see which workflow clicks.
Which is cheaper, Clerk or Render?
Both have a free pricing model. Clerk: Free (10K MAU) / Pro $25/mo. Render: Free tier / Pro $19/mo. Compare their specific plans to find the best value.
Can I use Clerk and Render together?
Yes — Clerk (Auth) and Render (Hosting/Deployment) serve different roles and can complement each other in a project.

Verdict

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

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