Cognito vs Supabase: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cognito and Supabase 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: Supabase wins this matchup. Pick Cognito if you need security.
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
Supabase
Open source Firebase alternative
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want full PostgreSQL access
- • You want generous free tier
| At a Glance | Cognito | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Security | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Cognito or Supabase?
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
- Your work is security-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
Choose Supabase if
Open source Firebase alternative
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want full PostgreSQL access
- You want generous free tier
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not security-shaped
| Feature | Cognito | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 6 reviews | ★4.6/5 233 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityCompliance | Data & DatabasesAPI Tools |
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
Supabase
Open source Firebase alternative
Supabase is the open-source Firebase alternative that developers actually want to use, Postgres database, authentication, storage, edge functions, and real-time subscriptions in one platform.
Watch out
Free projects pause after 7 days of inactivity: your app goes offline until someone visits it again. Not suitable for any production use, only for development and demos
Strengths
- +Full PostgreSQL access
- +Generous free tier
- +Open-source and self-hostable
- +Great developer experience
Weaknesses
- -Projects pause on free tier
- -Smaller ecosystem than Firebase
- -Less mature than alternatives
Key features
Pricing: Cognito vs Supabase
| Plan | Cognito | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $25 Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $599 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cognito pricing and Supabase pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Supabase has a free tier. Cognito is paid only.
Go with: Supabase
Want the highest-rated option?
Cognito: 4.6/5 (6 reviews). Supabase: 4.6/5 (233 reviews).
Go with: Cognito
Value user reviews?
Cognito: 6 reviews (4.6/5). Supabase: 233 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Supabase
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cognito is paid. Supabase is freemium. Supabase lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Cognito is a security tool. Supabase is in data & databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Supabase
- Larger review base (233 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cognito
- Better fit for security
The Bottom Line
Supabase wins this matchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cognito or Supabase better?
Supabase is rated in our evaluation. Cognito is paid and Supabase is freemium.
What are Cognito and Supabase used for?
Cognito: Streamline global customer onboarding with seamless ID verification and compliance. Supabase: Open source Firebase alternative.
What does Cognito cost vs Supabase?
Cognito is a paid tool. Supabase is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.