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Clerk vs Dagger: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Clerk and Dagger. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Both Clerk and Dagger offer free plans. Clerk has 4 pricing tiers while Dagger has 3.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Clerk vs Dagger: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureClerkDagger
Starting PriceCustom pricing$50/mo
Number of Plans43
Free TierYesYes
Pricing Modelusage-basedopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Clerk and Dagger are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Dev Tools. Together they offer 7 pricing plans with 5 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget. Clerk uses usage-based pricing while Dagger uses open-source pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Dev Tools needs.

Pricing Plans
Tier 1
Hobby
$0/monthCheapest
Start with Hobby
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Observability for one
  • Community Support
Start with Free
Tier 2
Pro
Custom pricing
Start with Pro
Team
$50/monthCheapest
$4 / year
Includes
  • Observability and module sharing for up to 10 users
  • Email Support
Start with Team
Tier 3
Business
Custom pricing
Start with Business
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Enterprise-level confidence and support for teams running Dagger at scale
Start with Enterprise
Tier 4
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Start with Enterprise

Swipe to compare plans →

Clerk

Drop-in user authentication and management for web apps

View all Clerk plans

Dagger

Programmable CI/CD engine running pipelines in containers

View all Dagger plans

What Reviewers Say

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Clerk if:

  • You prefer Clerk's free tier features—features
  • You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You prioritize Clerk's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)

Choose Dagger if:

  • You prefer Dagger's free tier features—Observability for one, Community Support
  • You want more features built-in—Dagger offers 5 additional features across its plans
  • You prioritize Dagger's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)

Both Clerk and Dagger offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: Clerk includes multiple features, while Dagger includes 2 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Clerk vs Dagger

How many pricing plans does Clerk have vs Dagger?
Clerk offers 4 pricing plans, while Dagger offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Clerk or Dagger offer a free plan?
Yes, both Clerk and Dagger offer free plans. Compare the feature limits of each free tier to see which better fits your use case before upgrading.
Can I save money by paying annually for Clerk or Dagger?
Both Clerk and Dagger offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
Does Clerk or Dagger offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both Clerk and Dagger offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
What pricing models do Clerk and Dagger use?
Clerk uses a usage-based pricing model, while Dagger uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Clerk and Dagger compare for Dev Tools?
Both Clerk and Dagger are Dev Tools. Clerk offers 4 plans starting at Custom pricing, while Dagger offers 3 plans starting at $50/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Dev Tools needs.

Sources

  1. Clerk Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Dagger Official PricingVendor pricing page

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