Open source vs Proprietary
SuperTokens vs Kinde: Which One Should You Choose in 1970?
SuperTokens is a open source Authentication & User Management tool priced as open source (Apache-2.0) / Cloud usage-based, starting at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU. Kinde is proprietary, priced as per MAU tier plus enterprise features, starting at $25/mo (Pro).
Quick verdict
- Choose SuperTokens for
- SuperTokensopen-source auth with email/password, social, passwordless and MFA
- Choose Kinde for
- Kindefast setup with prebuilt sign-in, sign-up and billing flows
SuperTokens vs Kinde: feature comparison
| Feature | SuperTokensOpen SourceSelf-Hostable | KindeProprietary |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source Available | Yes | No |
| Self-Hostable | Yes | No |
| Self-Hosting Difficulty | Medium (Docker with Postgres) | N/A |
| Pricing Model | Open source (Apache-2.0) / Cloud usage-based | Per MAU tier plus enterprise features |
| Starting Price | $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU | $25/mo (Pro) |
| Free Tier | Free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU | Free up to 10,500 MAU |
| GitHub Stars | 15.3k | N/A |
Pricing takeaway
SuperTokens starts at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU (free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU). Kinde starts at $25/mo (Pro) (free up to 10,500 MAU).
- SuperTokens
- Open source (Apache-2.0) / Cloud usage-based. Starts at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU. Free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU.Full SuperTokens pricing breakdown
- Kinde
- Per MAU tier plus enterprise features. Starts at $25/mo (Pro). Free up to 10,500 MAU.Full Kinde pricing breakdown
Pros and cons
SuperTokens
Visit SuperTokensPros
- Open-source auth with email/password, social, passwordless and MFA
- Session handling you can run next to your own user database
- Drop-in frontend SDKs for React, Vue and mobile
Cons
- Security updates and uptime are yours when self-hosting
- Fewer enterprise B2B features (SCIM, deep organisation management) than Auth0
- Smaller documentation and community than Auth0 or Clerk
Kinde
Visit KindePros
- Fast setup with prebuilt sign-in, sign-up and billing flows
- B2B organisations, roles and permissions on standard plans
- Generous free MAU allowance for early products
Cons
- Closed source with no self-hosting option
- Advanced enterprise SSO and audit features cost extra
- Newer ecosystem with fewer integrations than Auth0
SuperTokens vs Kinde: FAQ
Is Kinde a good alternative to SuperTokens?
SuperTokens is a open source Authentication & User Management tool priced as open source (Apache-2.0) / Cloud usage-based, starting at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU. Kinde is proprietary, priced as per MAU tier plus enterprise features, starting at $25/mo (Pro).
Which is cheaper, SuperTokens or Kinde?
SuperTokens starts at $0 (self-hosted) or free Cloud up to 5,000 MAU (free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU). Kinde starts at $25/mo (Pro) (free up to 10,500 MAU).
Is SuperTokens or Kinde open source?
SuperTokens is open source (github.com/supertokens/supertokens-core). Kinde is proprietary.
Can I self-host SuperTokens or Kinde?
SuperTokens can be self-hosted. Difficulty: Medium (Docker with Postgres). Kinde cannot be self-hosted.
Do SuperTokens and Kinde have a free tier?
SuperTokens: Free self-hosted; Cloud free up to 5,000 MAU. Kinde: Free up to 10,500 MAU.