Quick answer
SuperTokens - SuperTokens wins for most builders who want the broadest free auth feature set and the option to self-host without a MAU cap, while Logto wins if you want a simpler managed free tier with a higher cloud MAU allowance.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve different problems. Logto is a managed auth service with a capped but fairly generous free plan: up to 50,000 MAU, 50K tokens, 3 applications, 3 social connectors, 1 custom domain, and 1 webhook. It is better when you want a hosted product and a clear upgrade path into a paid managed plan. SuperTokens is the broader free option if you are comfortable self-hosting or want to stay on its cloud free tier under 5,000 MAU. Its free set includes core login, session, RBAC, dashboard, and support features, and the core open source features are free without a MAU limit when self-hosted. The tradeoff is that its paid cloud path adds usage-based add-ons and seat charges quickly, while Logto’s paid path is simpler but starts at a higher free-cloud ceiling.
Logto vs SuperTokens free tier, side by side
| LogtoFTV 41 | SuperTokensFTV 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly active usersLogto is a managed free tier. SuperTokens splits between cloud and self-hosted free use. | Up to 50,000 | Free under 5,000 on cloud; no MAU limit when self-hosted |
| Tokens per monthLogto includes token-based usage in the free tier. | 50,000 | Not listed |
| ApplicationsOnly Logto lists an app quota here. | Up to 3 total applications | Not listed |
| Social connectorsSuperTokens lists provider access, not a connector count. | 3 | Access to social login and SSO providers |
| Custom domainOnly Logto states a custom domain quota. | 1 | Not listed |
| WebhookOnly Logto states a webhook quota. | 1 | Not listed |
| Tenant memberThese are different things, so do not compare them as equivalents. | 1 | 3 free dashboard users |
| Free credit card requirementThis claim is based on the ftv_no_cc_required field. | No credit card required | No credit card required |
After you outgrow the free tier
Logto’s first paid plan is Pro at $24/mo, with usage-based token billing after 50K included tokens and some fixed limits like 1 M2M app and 1 custom domain. SuperTokens is more fragmented: cloud is $0.02 per MAU after the free 5,000 MAU band, while add-ons like MFA and account linking are usage-based with $100 minimum monthly billing, and dashboard seats are $20/user/month after 3 free users. For small teams, Logto is usually cheaper and simpler on the managed path; SuperTokens can be cheaper only if you self-host the core stack or stay very small on cloud.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Logto | SuperTokens |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 MAUSuperTokens cloud is free under 5,000 MAU. | $24/mo | Free (within tier) |
| 10,000 MAUSuperTokens cloud at $0.02 per MAU implies about $200/month after the free band. | $24/mo | ~$200/mo |
| 100,000 MAUSuperTokens cloud price is estimated from the listed per-MAU rate. Logto’s listed Pro price does not show MAU overage, only token overage. | $24/mo | ~$2,000/mo |
| 5 dashboard usersSuperTokens includes 3 free dashboard users, then $20/user/month for extra seats. | $24/mo | $40/mo |
| 50,000 tokens over the included 50KLogto bills extra tokens at $0.08 per 100 extra. The input does not provide an equivalent token rate for SuperTokens. | $24/mo | Not listed |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Logto when…
- You want a managed auth service and do not want to self-host.
- You expect to stay under 50,000 MAU and want a larger free cloud ceiling.
- You need a small number of apps and connectors, not a full enterprise setup on day one.
- You want a simple paid upgrade path with usage-based token billing and a standard enterprise tier later.
Pick SuperTokens when…
- You are comfortable self-hosting and want free core auth without a MAU cap.
- You need more complete auth features in the free offering, including session management, RBAC, and UI components.
- You want to start under 5,000 cloud MAU and keep the option to move to self-hosted later.
- You may need paid add-ons like MFA or account linking and want to understand usage-based pricing from the start.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, SuperTokens is the better free-tier pick if you want the broadest free auth feature set or the option to self-host without a user cap. Logto is the better choice if you want a managed service with a higher free cloud ceiling and a cleaner path into a straightforward paid plan. If you are deciding purely on free-tier breathing room, Logto is less restrictive on cloud MAU; if you are deciding on long-term flexibility, SuperTokens gives you more ways to stay free.
Read the full listings: Logto and SuperTokens. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.