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Best Lucia Alternatives

Reviewed byRoman K

3 alternatives to Lucia in Authentication, compared by pricing, DX grade, security, and vendor lock-in.

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Currently using

Lucia

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Auth library for the web

Pricing: open-source, from $0/mo

Stars: 10.5k

Clerk

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Pricing

freemium ($25+/mo)

GitHub Stars

1.7k

Weekly Downloads

1.5M

Auth0

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Pricing

freemium ($35+/mo)

Weekly Downloads

1.8M

NextAuth.js

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Pricing

open-source

GitHub Stars

28.3k

Weekly Downloads

4.2M

Pricing and traction at a glance

Of the 3 alternatives listed, 3 are tracked with full data: 3 keep a free plan, 1 are open source. Paid entries run from $0/mo (NextAuth.js) to $35/mo (Auth0). NextAuth.js carries the most GitHub traction with 28,300 stars. Switching cost is usually driven by lock-in, not by the sticker price.

Tool	Pricing	Free plan	GitHub stars
Clerk	freemium — from $25/mo	yes	1,720
Auth0	freemium — from $35/mo	yes	—
NextAuth.js	open-source — from $0/mo	yes	28,300

FAQ

What are the best Lucia alternatives in 2026?

The top alternatives to Lucia are Clerk, Auth0, NextAuth.js. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Lucia?

Several Lucia alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: check individual pricing pages for current free tier availability.

How many Lucia alternatives are tracked here?

3 in the Authentication category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best Lucia alternatives in 2026?▾

The top alternatives to Lucia are Clerk, Auth0, NextAuth.js. Each offers different trade-offs in pricing, developer experience, and lock-in risk.

Is there a free alternative to Lucia?▾

Several Lucia alternatives offer free tiers or self-hosted options: check individual pricing pages for current free tier availability.

How many Lucia alternatives are tracked here?▾

3 in the Authentication category, compared on price difference, lock-in risk and developer experience where editorial data exists.