What is App Stack Builder?

App Stack Builder is a free AI-powered tool that helps founders and developers choose the right tech stack for their projects based on budget, app type, team size, and skill level.

What is the best tech stack for SaaS in 2026?

The best tech stack for SaaS in 2026 typically includes Next.js 16 for frontend, Supabase for database and auth, Vercel for hosting, Stripe for payments, and PostHog for analytics. App Stack Builder can generate a personalized recommendation based on your specific budget and requirements.

Is App Stack Builder free to use?

Yes, App Stack Builder is completely free to use. You can generate unlimited tech stack recommendations without any cost.

What types of apps can I build with the recommended stacks?

App Stack Builder supports various app types including SaaS applications, web apps, mobile apps, e-commerce stores, internal tools, and AI/ML products.

How much does a SaaS tech stack cost per month?

A modern SaaS tech stack can cost anywhere from $0-50/month for bootstrapped startups using free tiers, $100-300/month for growth-stage startups, to $500+/month for enterprise-ready infrastructure. App Stack Builder helps you find the best tools within your specific budget.

What is the best tech stack for solo founders?

For solo founders, we recommend Next.js + Vercel (free), Supabase (free tier), Supabase Auth (free), Stripe (pay as you go), and Plausible or PostHog for analytics. This stack can run your entire SaaS for under $50/month.

Can I export my tech stack recommendations?

Yes, you can export your tech stack recommendations as a PDF document or copy them to your clipboard. You can also share a link to your stack with others.

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AuthenticationComparison•January 2026•10 min read

Clerk vs Auth0 vs Supabase Auth 2026: Complete Comparison

Name: App Stack Builder
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (150 reviews)

Choosing the right authentication provider can make or break your development experience. Here's an in-depth comparison of the three most popular auth solutions for modern web apps.

Quick Verdict

Clerk

Best for Next.js/React apps needing fast setup & beautiful UI

Auth0

Best for enterprise apps with complex compliance requirements

Supabase Auth

Best for budget-conscious teams already using Supabase

At a Glance

Best Value

Clerk

Modern auth for React

$25/mo (Pro)

Free: 10,000 MAUs

Setup: 5-10 minutes

Best for: Next.js apps

Auth0

Enterprise identity

$175+/mo

Free: 7,500 MAUs

Setup: 4-8 hours

Best for: Enterprise apps

Supabase Auth

Open source auth

$25/mo (Pro)

Free: 50,000 MAUs

Setup: 1-2 hours

Best for: Supabase users

Pricing Comparison

Pricing varies significantly. Supabase Auth offers the most generous free tier, while Auth0 can get expensive quickly at scale.

Clerk

Free

Up to 10,000 MAUs

Pro

10K MAUs included

$25/mo

Additional

Per MAU over 10K

$0.02

Auth0

Free

Up to 7,500 MAUs

Essential

10,000 MAUs

$175/mo

Professional

Advanced features

$240+/mo

Supabase Auth

Free

Up to 50,000 MAUs

Pro

100K MAUs included

$25/mo

Additional

Per MAU over 100K

$0.003

💰 Budget Winner: Supabase Auth
50K free MAUs vs 10K (Clerk) vs 7.5K (Auth0). At 100K users, Supabase costs ~$25/mo while Auth0 could be $500+.

Feature Comparison

Feature

Clerk

Auth0

Supabase

Pre-built UI Components

Limited

Basic

Social Logins

Magic Links

Multi-factor Auth (MFA)

Paid add-on

SSO / SAML

Limited

Organization Management

Custom

Role-based Access (RBAC)

Via RLS

Session Management

Webhooks

Edge-first Architecture

Regional

DB-tied

SOC 2 Type II

Self-managed

HIPAA Compliance

Self-managed

Setup Time & Developer Experience

Clerk — 5-10 minutes

Fastest

Clerk offers the best developer experience for React/Next.js. Pre-built components like <SignIn /> and <UserButton /> work out of the box with minimal configuration.

npm install @clerk/nextjs

Auth0 — 4-8 hours

Most Complex

Auth0 is powerful but requires more configuration. Universal Login setup, callback URLs, and custom rules take time. Great docs, but steeper learning curve.

Supabase Auth — 1-2 hours

If using Supabase

Seamless if you're already using Supabase. Auth is built-in with the JS client. However, you'll need to build your own UI components for sign-in/sign-up flows.

When to Use Each

Choose Clerk if...

You're building with Next.js or React
You want beautiful pre-built auth UI
You need B2B features (organizations, team management)
Developer experience is a priority

Choose Auth0 if...

You need extensive compliance certifications
You're building enterprise software
You need advanced security features (anomaly detection)
Budget isn't a primary concern

Choose Supabase Auth if...

You're already using Supabase for database
You want the most generous free tier
You prefer open-source solutions
You're comfortable building custom UI

Our Recommendation

Clerk — Best Overall for Startups

The sweet spot of DX, features, and pricing

For most startups building with Next.js or React, Clerk is the best choice. The developer experience is unmatched — you can have auth working in under 10 minutes with beautiful, production-ready UI.

The 10,000 free MAUs is generous enough to validate your idea. And the $25/mo Pro plan is reasonable as you scale.

⚡ 5-min setup✨ Beautiful UI🏢 B2B ready

Exception: If you're already all-in on Supabase and want to minimize costs, Supabase Auth is the obvious choice — it's free for 50K users and deeply integrated with their ecosystem.