Cognito vs Hanko: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cognito and Hanko comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Hanko wins this matchup. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane. Pick Cognito if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cognito
Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance
Best for you if:
- • You want optimized for high conversion rates during customer onboarding
- • You want supports a vast number of countries and ID document types
Hanko
Open-source authentication with passkeys
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want passwordless auth
- • You want open source
| At a Glance | Cognito | Hanko |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | 4.6/5 | - |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Cognito or Hanko?
Choose Cognito if
Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance
- You want optimized for high conversion rates during customer onboarding
- You want supports a vast number of countries and ID document types
Choose Hanko if
Open-source authentication with passkeys
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want passwordless auth
- You want open source
| Feature | Cognito | Hanko |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 6 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | SecurityCompliance | SecurityIdentity & Access |
In-Depth Analysis
Cognito
Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance
Strengths
- +Optimized for high conversion rates during customer onboarding.
- +Supports a vast number of countries and ID document types.
- +Reduces manual review efforts with smart false-positive reduction in screening.
- +Offers comprehensive compliance features with audit trails and ongoing monitoring.
- +Designed for developers with extensive documentation and flexible integration.
Weaknesses
- -Specific pricing details are not publicly available, requiring contact with sales.
- -Requires integration into existing systems, which may involve development effort depending on the chosen method.
Key features
Hanko
Open-source authentication with passkeys
Hanko's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free tier offering 10,000 MAUs.
Watch out
SAML SSO is an addon in Pro tier
Strengths
- +Passwordless auth
- +Open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Passkey support
- +Good documentation
Weaknesses
- -Newer platform
- -Limited features
- -Community smaller
- -Enterprise features paid
- -Integration effort
Key features
Pricing: Cognito vs Hanko
| Plan | Cognito | Hanko |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Starter |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $29 Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cognito pricing and Hanko pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Hanko has a free tier. Cognito is paid only.
Go with: Hanko
Want the highest-rated option?
Cognito is rated 4.6/5. Hanko has no ratings yet.
Go with: Cognito
Value user reviews?
Cognito: 6 reviews (4.6/5). Hanko: no ratings yet.
Go with: Cognito
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cognito is paid. Hanko is freemium. Hanko lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Cognito is rated 4.6/5; Hanko has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Hanko
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cognito
- Choose if you want streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance
The Bottom Line
Hanko wins this matchup. Our overall Identity & Access pick is 1Password. Our free Identity & Access pick is Swiftlane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cognito or Hanko better?
Hanko is rated in our evaluation. Cognito is paid and Hanko is freemium.
What are Cognito and Hanko used for?
Cognito: Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance. Hanko: Open-source authentication with passkeys.
What does Cognito cost vs Hanko?
Cognito is a paid tool. Hanko is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.