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Clerk vs Vault by HashiCorp: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Clerk starts at Custom pricing and Vault by HashiCorp starts at $1.58/mo. Compare all 7 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026
Try Clerk freeTry Vault by HashiCorp free

Clerk vs Vault by HashiCorp: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureClerkVault by HashiCorp
Starting PriceCustom pricing$1.58/mo
Number of Plans43
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelusage-basedopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Clerk and Vault by HashiCorp are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Dev Tools. Together they offer 7 pricing plans with 9 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Clerk stands out with a free plan for getting started. Clerk uses usage-based pricing while Vault by HashiCorp 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
Clerk
Vault by HashiCorp
Vault by HashiCorp
Try it free
Tier 1
Hobby
$0/monthCheapest
Start with Hobby
Development
$446/month
$446 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Development
Tier 2
Pro
Custom pricing
Start with Pro
Essentials
$2/monthCheapest
$2 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Essentials
Tier 3
Business
Custom pricing
Start with Business
Standard
$2/monthCheapest
$2 / year
Includes
  • Versioned key value storage
  • User & group management
  • Vault agent
Start with Standard
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

Vault by HashiCorp

Secrets management, encryption, and identity-based access

View all Vault by HashiCorp plans

What Reviewers Say

Our Pick

Clerk

Clerk offers a free plan, offers 4 tiers vs 3.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Clerk

Try Clerk free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Clerk if:

  • •You need a free plan with core features—Clerk offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Clerk offers negotiated terms for large deployments

Choose Vault by HashiCorp if:

  • •You want more features built-in—Vault by HashiCorp offers 9 additional features across its plans
  • •You prioritize Vault by HashiCorp's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • •Vault by HashiCorp's 3-tier open-source structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning

Clerk offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Vault by HashiCorp requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Clerk a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Clerk's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Vault by HashiCorp's tiering starting at $1.58/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Clerk's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Vault by HashiCorp's 3 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Clerk is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Clerk vs Vault by HashiCorp

How many pricing plans does Clerk have vs Vault by HashiCorp?
Clerk offers 4 pricing plans, while Vault by HashiCorp offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Clerk or Vault by HashiCorp offer a free plan?
Clerk offers a free plan, while Vault by HashiCorp does not. If budget is a concern, Clerk lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Clerk or Vault by HashiCorp?
Both Clerk and Vault by HashiCorp offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
Does Clerk or Vault by HashiCorp offer custom enterprise pricing?
Clerk offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Vault by HashiCorp lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do Clerk and Vault by HashiCorp use?
Clerk uses a usage-based pricing model, while Vault by HashiCorp uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Clerk and Vault by HashiCorp compare for Dev Tools?
Both Clerk and Vault by HashiCorp are Dev Tools. Clerk offers 4 plans starting at Custom pricing, while Vault by HashiCorp offers 3 plans starting at $1.58/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Dev Tools needs.

Sources

  1. Clerk Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
  2. Vault by HashiCorp Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page

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