Category · 12 tools · 5 comparisons
Authentication and identity APIs
APIs for adding login, identity verification, and user authentication to applications.
Our ranked shortlist: the best authentication and identity apis →
At a glance
- Tools tracked
- 12
- Entry plans
- $0.05–$299/mo
- Typical entry plan
- $64.17/mo
- Free plan
- 9 of 12
- Cheapest paid
- Twilio Verify, $0.05/mo
- Best value score
- FusionAuth, 8/10
Every tool we cover
Price tracker →| Tool | Score | From | Top listed plan | Free plan | Trial | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ClerkClerk | 7.8 | $20/mo | $250/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 FusionAuthFusionAuth | 7.7 | $162/mo* | $240/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 StytchStytch | 7.6 | Free | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 DescopeDescope | 7.6 | $249/mo | $799/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 LogtoLogto | 7.5 | $24/mo | $24/mo | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 WorkOSWorkOS | 7.3 | $65/mo* | $125/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Ory NetworkOry Network | 6.7 | $64.17/mo | $779.17/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Twilio VerifyTwilio Verify | 6.5 | $0.05/mo | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 PrivyPrivy | 6.4 | $299/mo | $499/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 DeepvueDeepvue | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | Yes | ReviewPricing |
 ProveProve | 6.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 TruliooTrulioo | 6.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
* Lower confidence: the vendor's pricing page couldn't be read directly or didn't list every price, so the figure was compiled from other public sources and may be incomplete. Check the vendor's page before you buy.
Head-to-head
Highest scored
ClerkClerk
A feature-rich auth toolkit with a generous free tier and costs worth modeling as usage grows.
FusionAuthFusionAuth
A flexible identity API with a useful free tier; check hosted caps and annual-only listed pricing.
StytchStytch
A capable identity platform with a generous entry tier; check the B2C/B2B fit and custom costs first.
Authentication and identity APIs: quick answers
How much do authentication and identity apis cost?
Paid plans for the 12 authentication and identity apis we track start between $0.05 and $299 a month, and the typical entry plan is about $64.17 a month. 9 of them have a free plan. Deepvue, Prove and Trulioo don't publish a starting price. Prices are the vendors' own, checked Nov 7, 2026; most quote the per-month price when billed annually.
Which authentication and identity api is the cheapest?
Twilio Verify has the lowest paid entry plan at $0.05 a month, followed by Clerk at $20. If you can live with limits, Clerk, FusionAuth, Stytch and Descope have a free plan.
Which authentication and identity apis have a free plan?
Clerk, FusionAuth, Stytch, Descope, Logto, WorkOS, Ory Network, Twilio Verify and Privy have a free plan. Deepvue offers a free trial instead. Free plans are usually capped on usage, seats or features; each review lists the limits.
Which authentication and identity api scores highest in our reviews?
Clerk scores highest at 7.8/10. A feature-rich auth toolkit with a generous free tier and costs worth modeling as usage grows. On value for money alone, FusionAuth rates best (8/10).