Kinde vs WorkOS — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Kinde starts at $25/mo. WorkOS starts at $125/mo. Kinde is $100/mo cheaper on the entry tier than WorkOS.
Australian authentication platform positioned as the value alternative to Clerk and Auth0 for founders who want auth + billing + feature flags in one dashboard. Distinctive for its extra-generous free tier (10,500 MAU + billing + feature flags included). Pro $25/mo. Popular with solo founders and small teams shipping SaaS quickly — the 'auth + adjacent tooling' bundle no other provider offers at this price point.
Enterprise-ready authentication + user management, positioned as the alternative to building SSO/SCIM/directory sync from scratch. Distinctive per-connection pricing model — $125/mo per SSO connection (vs Clerk's bundled 1 free SSO on Pro). AuthKit free for first 1M users. Popular with B2B SaaS that need to close enterprise deals requiring SAML, SCIM, and audit logs — the "unlock enterprise revenue" tool.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Kinde monthly | Kinde annual | WorkOS monthly | WorkOS annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free / AuthKit Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Pro / SSO | $25 | $25 | $125 | $125 |
| Mid tier | — / Directory Sync | — | — | $125 | $125 |
| Pro / power | Scale / Audit Logs | $149 | $149 | $125 | $125 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / Custom Domains | Custom | Custom | $99 | $99 |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Kinde is worth it if… Kinde is the auth-as-a-service alternative to Auth0 and Clerk for developers who want simpler pricing and multi-language SDKs — particularly if Clerk feels too React-focused. Free tier covers up to 10K MAUs; Pro adds SSO and higher limits; Scale for larger orgs; new Plus tier launched 2026 sits between.
WorkOS is worth it if… B2B SaaS companies (Series A-Series D) that need to add enterprise features (SSO, SCIM, audit logs, admin portal) to their product — particularly to close enterprise deals that require SAML/OIDC. Startup tier covers small SaaS; Enterprise for high-volume with custom pricing.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Kinde over WorkOS if…
Choose Kinde if…
- You're comfortable with Kinde's from $25/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Kinde is built for: the auth-as-a-service alternative to Auth0 and Clerk for developers who want simpler pricing and multi-language SDKs — particularly if Clerk feels too React-focused.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose WorkOS if…
- You're comfortable with WorkOS's from $125/mo entry point.
- You match the profile WorkOS is built for: B2B SaaS companies (Series A-Series D) that need to add enterprise features (SSO, SCIM, audit logs, admin portal) to their product — particularly to close enterprise deals that require SAML/OIDC.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Kinde | WorkOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $25/mo | $125/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Last verified | September 13, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 15, 2026. Tracked daily.