vs
Auth0 vs PocketBase
Side-by-side comparison of Auth0 and PocketBase.
Quick summary
Auth0 — Identity platform for developers. Auth0 is an enterprise-grade identity platform offering authentication, authorization, and SSO.
PocketBase — Open source backend in 1 file. PocketBase is an open-source Go backend, bundled as a single executable, with embedded SQLite, auth, realtime, and admin UI.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Auth0 | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $35/mo | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| MFA | Yes | — |
| SAML/SSO | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | 7.5k MAU | Unlimited (self-host) |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| Pre-built UI | Yes | — |
| Social Login | Yes | — |
| Organizations | Yes | — |
| Auth | — | Yes |
| Storage | — | Yes |
| Database | — | SQLite |
| Realtime | — | Yes |
| Edge Functions | — | No |
| Row Level Security | — | Yes |
Auth0
Identity platform for developers
Pros
- Enterprise-ready
- Deep customization
- Acquired by Okta
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Complex dashboard
- Free tier reduced over time
PocketBase
Open source backend in 1 file
Pros
- Zero-config single binary
- Fast and lightweight
- Great for small-to-medium apps
Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scale
- Single maintainer
- No managed cloud offering
Which should you choose?
Choose Auth0 if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose PocketBase if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Auth0 or PocketBase?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PocketBase is the safer default because PocketBase is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Auth0 is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Auth0 cheaper than PocketBase?
Auth0 starts at $35/mo, while PocketBase starts at Free. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Auth0 to PocketBase?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Auth0-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most authentication migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Auth0 or PocketBase open source?
PocketBase is open source; Auth0 is a proprietary managed service.
Does Auth0 or PocketBase have a free tier?
Both Auth0 and PocketBase offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Auth0. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.