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Comparison guide

Clerk vs Next-auth

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Hero image for Clerk vs Next-auth

Quick Verdict

Clerk leads across all categories in this comparison. Check the detailed metrics below to see how each package performs for your specific needs.

clerk icon

clerk

Niche

Version 3.2.0

0
67
Good

Clerk CLI

Weekly Downloads
0

Trend data unavailable

Bundle (gzip)
2.3 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
100
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Version 4.24.15

0
61
Good

Authentication for Next.js

Weekly Downloads
0

Trend data unavailable

Bundle (gzip)
81.6 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
80
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Choosing between Clerk and Next-auth? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.

Downloads & Popularity

Clerk and Next-auth both have 0 weekly downloads, indicating equal adoption in the ecosystem.

Bundle Size

Clerk has the smallest gzipped bundle at 2.3 KB. Next-auth comes in at 81.6 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Clerk has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Next-auth has an overall health score of 61/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.

When to Choose Each

Choose Clerk if you value minimal bundle footprint, actively maintained, strong security track record. Choose Next-auth if you value strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Clerk and Next-auth are solid choices for JavaScript development. Clerk has the edge in overall health score (67/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clerk better than next-auth?
It depends on your needs. Clerk has a health score of 67/100 while Next-auth scores 61/100. Clerk has more weekly downloads (0), suggesting broader adoption. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, clerk or next-auth?
Clerk has the smaller gzipped bundle at 2.3 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use clerk vs next-auth?
Based on npm download statistics, Clerk has approximately 0 weekly downloads and Next-auth has approximately 0 weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, clerk or next-auth?
Clerk currently has the higher overall health score at 67/100. Clerk has a maintenance score of 100/100 and Next-auth scores 80/100 on maintenance.

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