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content/auth0-price-increase/index.md

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+---
+title: "Auth0 Price Increase: Are You Paying Too Much for Authentication?"
+description: "An in depth guide covering Auth0's pricing model"
+date: "2025-04-25"
+cover: "auth0-price-increase.png"
+category: "featured"
+author: "Lucas Mueller"
+---
+
+If you've been watching Auth0 closely, you've likely noticed the storm brewing in developer communities. When [Okta acquired Auth0 in 2021](https://supertokens.com/blog/the-real-reason-okta-spent-on-auth0), many anticipated changes, but few could have predicted just how significant they'd be. Fast forward to late 2023, and the price hikes have left both startups and enterprises questioning the value of sticking with Auth0.
+
+Let's dive into the specifics, leveraging data from recent price updates and the opinions shared by developers.
+
+## Understanding Auth0’s Pricing Updates
+
+In November 2023, Okta rolled out a revised pricing structure for Auth0 that introduced higher costs across the board. For instance:
+
+- **B2C Essentials** jumped from **$23/month for 1,000 MAU** to **$35/month for 500 MAU**, effectively **doubling** the cost per user.
+- **B2C Professional** remains priced at **$240/month** but now serves **half as many users** as before.
+
+These aren't just minor adjustments—they fundamentally reshape the cost-benefit equation for many teams.
+
+| Plan              | Previous Pricing         | New Pricing          | Percentage Increase |
+|-------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|---------------------|
+| B2C Essentials    | $23/mo for 1000 MAU        | $35/mo for 500 MAU    | ~200%               |
+| B2B Essentials    | $130/mo for 500 MAU        | $150/mo for 500 MAU   | 15.38%              |
+| B2C Professional  | $240/mo for 1000 MAU       | $240/mo for 500 MAU   | 200%                |
+| B2B Professional  | $800/mo for 500 MAU        | $800/mo for 500 MAU   | No change           |
+
+## Developer Reactions: Sticker Shock and Discontent
+
+A [Reddit thread from October 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/18d6hcd/auth0_increases_price_by_300/) captures the mood perfectly: many developers feel blindsided by the hikes.
+
+The most common pain points include:
+
+- **Fewer Users, Higher Costs**: MAU limits were slashed across tiers, forcing businesses to pay more for less.
+- **Uncertainty Around Future Hikes**: There's widespread skepticism about whether this is the last price increase. Developers are reluctant to commit long-term.
+
+Most devs using Auth0 feel like they're locked into a contract with a ticking time bomb, but don't take our word for it: 
+
+![Developer reaction 1](path/to/image1.jpg)
+![Developer reaction 2](path/to/image2.jpg)
+[Source](https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/18d6hcd/auth0_increases_price_by_300/)
+
+## Why This Matters
+
+Auth0’s pricing model is particularly challenging for small teams and startups, many of which operate on tight budgets. These organizations often bank on rapid user growth, but under the new structure, growth can become prohibitively expensive.
+
+### Locked Into the Wrong Plan?
+
+If you selected a plan expecting to scale, you may now face ballooning costs. Worse, migrating to another provider mid-growth is often complex and resource-intensive.
+
+---
+
+## Why Is My Auth0 Price Suddenly Changing?
+
+If your Auth0 bill has spiked unexpectedly, you're not alone. Many developers and teams have voiced concerns about how subtle changes to their subscription—or even natural growth in MAUs—trigger steep price increases. Let's break this down.
+
+### Auth0 Increasing Their Plans
+
+1. **Even Minor Changes Can Force a Price Upgrade**
+
+   One of the most significant factors causing price jumps is subscription modifications. Auth0’s 2023 pricing update introduced strict new rules:
+
+   - If you adjust your plan or features, the updated pricing structure immediately takes effect—even if you're only adding a minor feature.
+   - Existing customers are "grandfathered" into their old pricing, but any tweaks to the plan force a switch to the newer, costlier models.
+
+2. **MAU Overages and Their Impact on Billing**
+
+   MAU (Monthly Active Users) caps are another hidden cost driver:
+
+   - Plans like **B2C Essentials** now serve **500 MAU** instead of **1,000 MAU**, meaning even modest growth could push you into a higher tier.
+   - Overages are billed at punitive rates, which can significantly inflate costs during high-traffic months.
+   - For fast-scaling startups or teams dealing with unpredictable user patterns, these limits are particularly restrictive.
+
+3. **Advanced Features and Add-On Costs**
+
+   Auth0’s tiered pricing hides an important truth: some advanced features are only accessible as paid add-ons. Whether it's enhanced security options or custom branding, many of these "premium" features require costly upgrades. This creates a frustrating trade-off for teams who need robust functionality but can't justify the steep price.
+
+4. **The Yearly Renewal "Screwover"**
+
+   Another common pain point is yearly renewals. Auth0’s contracts often lock customers into a specific MAU count and feature set. When renewal time comes around, businesses are charged for growth—even if their needs remain largely the same. This leaves teams feeling like they're being penalized for success.
+
+---
+
+## Your Plan Changing Models
+
+Auth0’s pricing model emphasizes MAUs and feature access, making it vital to understand how these elements interact. Here's a quick look at how plans are structured:
+
+- **MAU Thresholds**: Plans like **B2B Essentials** cap at **500 MAU**. If you grow beyond that, you're automatically upgraded to a higher-priced plan, even if your usage only slightly exceeds the limit.
+
+- **Feature Lockdowns**: Many features are locked behind higher tiers. This includes essentials like role-based access control (RBAC) or custom domains, which require paying for Professional Plans or add-ons.
+
+---
+
+## What This Means for Your Budget
+
+For developers, Auth0’s pricing complexity makes it easy to exceed budgets, sometimes without realizing it until the invoice arrives. Businesses with rapid growth or shifting needs may find themselves outgrowing their plans faster than expected.
+
+### Takeaways:
+- Review your current MAU usage frequently to avoid surprise overages.
+- Be cautious when making changes to your subscription, as even small adjustments can trigger the new pricing structure.
+- Compare alternatives to Auth0 that offer predictable pricing without MAU caps or hidden fees.
+
+[Read more about Auth0 alternatives here](https://supertokens.com/blog/auth0-alternatives-auth0-vs-okta-vs-cognito-vs-supertokens). 
+
+![Average manager when their auth0 MAUs increase](path/to/gif1.gif)
+
+## Latest Auth0 Price Increase: Stay Updated on 2025 Changes
+
+As of January 2025, Auth0 has not announced any new price increases beyond the significant changes implemented in late 2023. However, it's essential to remain vigilant, as future adjustments could impact your budgeting and planning.
+
+### Current Auth0 Pricing Overview:
+
+- **Free Plan**: Supports up to **25,000 Monthly Active Users (MAUs)** and includes features such as password and passkey authentication, social authentication (e.g., Google, Facebook), support for up to **5 organizations**, branded forms, one custom domain (credit card verification required), JavaScript for custom logic during login and signup (Actions), basic attack protection, and community support.
+
+- **Essentials Plan**: Priced at **$35 per month**, this plan accommodates up to **500 MAUs** and offers all Free Plan features, plus higher end-user authentication and API limits, Magic Link and SMS authentication, role-based access control, support for up to **10 organizations**, the ability to stream Auth0 audit logs to platforms like Datadog, Splunk, AWS, and Azure, increased feature limits, separate production and development environments, and standard support.
+
+- **Professional Plan**: At **$240 per month**, this plan supports up to **1,000 MAUs** and includes all Essentials Plan features, along with the ability to use your existing user database for logins, multi-factor authentication (with OTP), support for up to **10 organizations**, enhanced attack protection, enterprise MFA factors, and service authorization (available as an add-on).
+
+- **Enterprise Plan**: Designed for large-scale needs, this plan offers everything in the Professional Plan, plus custom user and SSO tiers, a **99.99% SLA**, enterprise rate limits, advanced security features, and options for private deployment (available as an add-on). Pricing is customized based on specific requirements.
+
+[Read more about Auth0 pricing](https://supertokens.com/blog/auth0-pricing-the-complete-guide). 
+
+## Looking Ahead
+
+While there are no announced price changes for 2025, it's prudent to anticipate potential future adjustments. Auth0 has a history of modifying its pricing structures, and staying informed will help you manage your authentication strategy effectively.
+
+By staying proactive, you can navigate potential pricing shifts with confidence and ensure your authentication solutions remain both effective and cost-efficient.
+
+---
+
+## Navigating Pricing Challenges: Exploring Alternatives
+
+For many businesses, Auth0’s pricing model creates a dilemma: stay locked in and absorb the costs or explore alternatives and manage a migration. Let's unpack why Auth0’s structure poses challenges and how you can effectively navigate them.
+
+### Managing Overages: A Practical Approach
+
+If you're currently facing overages on Auth0, here's a game plan:
+
+- **Stay on Auth0, Migrate Slowly**: Use a lazy migration strategy where new users are onboarded onto an alternative solution like **SuperTokens**. This reduces costs while keeping your existing setup intact.
+
+- **Hybrid Approach**: Overages on Auth0 can be mitigated by directing a subset of your users to a new authentication provider. For instance, high-MAU scenarios might justify splitting your user base between providers to avoid cost spikes.
+
+### During Renewals: Leveraging Negotiations
+
+Auth0’s pricing may seem rigid, but in reality, there's room for negotiation during contract renewals. Here's how to maximize your leverage:
+
+- **Get Competitive Quotes**: Reach out to providers like **SuperTokens** and obtain a quote. Auth0’s pricing is more flexible than advertised, and a competing offer can often lead to substantial discounts.
+
+- **Know Your Value**: Emphasize your MAU volume and loyalty during negotiations. Auth0 frequently adjusts rates for businesses willing to sign longer contracts or commit to larger plans.
+
+Breaking free from Auth0’s "golden handcuffs" requires careful planning, but the long-term savings and flexibility are worth the effort. Whether you opt for a phased migration or use competing quotes to renegotiate, there's no need to feel stuck.
+
+## SuperTokens: A Cost-Effective and Transparent Alternative
+
+If you're tired of unpredictable costs and restrictive pricing models, SuperTokens offers a refreshing alternative. Built for developers who prioritize transparency, flexibility, and scalability, SuperTokens has become a go-to solution for teams looking to escape the pitfalls of platforms like Auth0.
+
+Let's explore why SuperTokens stands out.
+
+### Transparent Pricing
+
+SuperTokens takes the guesswork out of budgeting with clear and predictable costs:
+
+- **Managed Service Option**: Offers hosting, scaling, and maintenance at an affordable price.
+- **Self-Hosted Option**: Take full control of your infrastructure without incurring recurring licensing fees.
+- **No Hidden Fees**: Say goodbye to unexpected charges for overages, premium features, or user thresholds.
+
+With SuperTokens, what you see is what you pay—a rarity in the authentication space.
+
+### No Vendor Lock-In
+
+SuperTokens' core is open source, giving you complete control over your data and infrastructure:
+
+- **Easy Export**: Migrating your user data is straightforward, ensuring you're never tied to the platform.
+- **Self-Hosting Flexibility**: Prefer to manage authentication on your own servers? Switch to self-hosting effortlessly while retaining full access to the platform's features.
+
+This freedom ensures you're never boxed into a single solution.
+
+### Flexibility for Diverse Use Cases
+
+SuperTokens caters to modern authentication needs with modular SDKs that adapt to your requirements:
+
+- **Passwordless**: Simplify login flows with OTPs, Magic Links, or biometrics.
+- **Single Sign-On (SSO)**: Streamline enterprise authentication across multiple applications.
+- **Custom Workflows**: Tailor authentication processes with a flexible SDK that works seamlessly with existing systems.
+
+No matter your use case, SuperTokens provides the tools to meet it without unnecessary complexity.