SuperTokens
Open-source authentication solution with a free cloud tier for up to 5,000 monthly active users and a completely free self-hosted core. Email/password, social login, passwordless, session management, RBAC, and a user dashboard all included.
Use Cases
Free Tier
Cloud free under 5,000 monthly active users (then $0.02/MAU). Self-hosted open-source core FREE without any limits.
How to Maximize the Free Tier
The free cloud tier covers up to 5,000 monthly active users — huge headroom for early-stage apps. All core features are included: email/password, social login, passwordless, session management, RBAC, and a user dashboard. Watch your MAU count monthly; past 5,000 you're charged $0.02 per MAU, so plan billing accordingly. Pro tip: if you're technical, self-host the open-source core for unlimited free usage — you just manage your own infrastructure (database, scaling, security patches). Combine SuperTokens with a React or Next.js frontend and a Node.js backend for a seamless setup, and pair it with Resend or SendGrid (both in the directory) for transactional email flows. MFA and account linking are paid add-ons even on self-hosted.
Getting Started
1. Sign up at https://supertokens.com and create a new app. 2. Choose your setup: managed cloud (free under 5K MAU) or self-hosted core (free, no limits). 3. Follow the quickstart for your framework (Next.js, React, Node.js, etc.). 4. Install the SuperTokens SDK and configure your database connection. 5. Enable the auth methods you need (email/password, social, passwordless). 6. Test the login flow and integrate session management in your backend.
Pros
- High free cloud limit: 5,000 MAU free is much more generous than most competitors' free tiers (Clerk gives 10K but with more feature restrictions)
- Open-source core: Self-hosting is completely free without any feature or user limits, giving you full control and zero per-user cost
- Complete feature set: Includes RBAC, session management, and a user dashboard in the free tier — no paywalled essentials
Cons
- Per-MAU overage: After 5,000 MAU on cloud, you pay $0.02/MAU which can add up for larger apps
- Self-hosting requires effort: Running your own instance means handling database setup, scaling, and security patches
- Add-on pricing: MFA and account linking are paid add-ons ($0.01-0.005/MAU, $100/mo minimum billing) even on self-hosted