Softwr

Cybersecurity · head to head

Clerk vs OnBase

Clerk logo

Clerk

Cybersecurity

Drop-in user authentication and management for developers

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit ClerkFull review
OnBase logo

OnBase

Government

Enterprise Information Platform

From
$400/month
Free plan
No
Visit OnBaseFull review

The short version

  • Clerk has a free plan, then $25/mo; OnBase starts at $400/mo.
  • Only Clerk lists prebuilt UI components; only OnBase lists workflow Automation.
  • Where Clerk falls short: pricing scales with monthly retained users, which can grow expensive quickly for consumer apps with large user bases.
  • Where OnBase falls short: pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clerk and OnBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Clerk and OnBase differ
AttributeClerkOnBase
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelFreemiumSubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, APIWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment

Not yet recorded: founded for Clerk.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Clerk

  • Prebuilt UI components
  • Organization management
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Social sign-on
  • Billing
  • Enterprise connections

Only in OnBase

  • Content Management
  • Workflow Automation
  • Case Management
  • Records Management
  • Intelligent Capture
  • Microsoft 365
  • Salesforce
  • Epic

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Clerk

  • Adding sign-in and user profiles to a web or mobile app quicklynot OnBase
  • B2B SaaS apps needing organizations and role-based accessnot OnBase
  • Startups wanting prebuilt UI instead of building auth in-housenot OnBase
  • Apps needing MFA and fraud detection out of the boxnot OnBase

OnBase

  • Citizen Servicesnot Clerk
  • Records Managementnot Clerk
  • Public Safetynot Clerk
  • Civic Engagementnot Clerk

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Clerk

  • Pricing scales with monthly retained users, which can grow expensive quickly for consumer apps with large user bases
  • Enterprise SSO connections beyond the first are billed as add-ons, adding cost for larger organizations
  • The Business tier's extra dashboard seats cost $20/month each, which adds up for larger teams
  • Enterprise-tier features like the 99.99% uptime SLA require annual contracts rather than flexible monthly billing

OnBase

  • Pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies
  • Complex implementation and configuration required for government-specific workflows
  • Requires significant IT resources for deployment and ongoing management

Pricing, plan by plan

Clerk

Free
  • HobbyFree
    • 50,000 MRU limit per app
    • Up to 3 dashboard seats
    • Unlimited applications
  • Pro$25/mo
    • 50,000 MRUs included, $0.02/MRU overage
    • Up to 3 dashboard seats
    • 1 Enterprise Connection included
  • Business$300/mo
    • 50,000 MRUs included with volume pricing
    • 10 dashboard seats included
    • SOC2 report and priority support
  • EnterpriseOn request
    • Custom pricing, annual billing
    • 99.99% uptime SLA
    • HIPAA available, dedicated Slack channel

OnBase

$400/month
  • Government$400/mo
    • Content Management
    • Process Automation
    • Case Management

Which should you pick?

Choose Clerk if

  • You need prebuilt ui components.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want organization management.
Clerk review

Choose OnBase if

  • You need content management.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want workflow automation.
OnBase review

Questions people ask

Is Clerk or OnBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Clerk starts at Free and OnBase at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clerk or OnBase?
Clerk has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Clerk and $400/month for OnBase.
Does Clerk or OnBase run on more platforms?
Clerk runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. OnBase runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Clerk for free?
Yes. Clerk has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OnBase starts at $400/month.
What is Clerk best used for?
Clerk is most often used for adding sign-in and user profiles to a web or mobile app quickly, b2b saas apps needing organizations and role-based access, startups wanting prebuilt ui instead of building auth in-house, apps needing mfa and fraud detection out of the box. Of those, adding sign-in and user profiles to a web or mobile app quickly and b2b saas apps needing organizations and role-based access are not what OnBase is typically brought in for.
What can Clerk do that OnBase cannot?
Clerk covers Prebuilt UI components, Organization management, Multi-factor authentication, Social sign-on. OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clerk: What does Clerk cost?

Clerk's Hobby plan is free with a 50,000 MRU limit; Pro is $25/month ($20/month billed annually), Business is $300/month ($250 annually), and Enterprise uses custom annual pricing.

Source
OnBase: What is OnBase used for in government?

OnBase is used for digital permitting, inspections, and plan review processes. Government agencies use it to streamline workflows, enable online forms, automate approvals, and provide citizen access to application status.

Source
Clerk: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

Yes, the Hobby plan is free with a 50,000 monthly retained user (MRU) limit per app, up to 3 dashboard seats, and unlimited applications, with no credit card required.

Source
OnBase: Does OnBase support mobile access?

Yes. Mobile access is a key feature of OnBase, allowing users to manage documents and cases on the go.

Source
Clerk: How is usage metered?

Clerk meters by monthly retained users (MRUs) — users who return to the app at least a day after signing up — with overage billed at $0.02 per MRU beyond the included 50,000 on paid plans.

Source
OnBase: What document management capabilities does OnBase provide?

OnBase provides centralized document storage with version control, search and retrieval tools, records management across physical and electronic lifecycles, and compliance with policies and regulations.

Source
OnBase: Can OnBase workflows be customized?

Yes. OnBase is flexible and configurable with user-defined workflows for case management, streamlining processes like accounts payable, employee onboarding, and contract management.

Source
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