Authentication · Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Choose AWS Cognito if you are building a consumer or internal application on AWS and need a scalable, managed authentication service. Choose WorkOS if you are a B2B SaaS company selling to enterprises and need to implement features like SSO and directory sync to meet enterprise procurement requirements.
AWS Cognito is a fully managed, general-purpose authentication service for web and mobile apps, offering a pay-as-you-go model deeply integrated with the AWS ecosystem. WorkOS is a platform specifically designed for B2B SaaS, providing a suite of enterprise-ready features like SSO and SCIM with a flat monthly fee. Their core difference is target audience: Cognito serves broad application authentication, while WorkOS focuses on enabling SaaS companies to sell into the enterprise market.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | AWS Cognito | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Pay-as-you-go based on monthly active users (MAUs) | Flat $99/month starter plan, plus usage-based for some features |
| Ease of Use | Steeper initial learning curve within AWS console; requires more configuration | Developer-focused APIs and docs aimed at simplifying complex enterprise integrations |
| Scalability | Highly scalable and serverless, backed by AWS infrastructure | Scalable, but focused on scaling the number of enterprise integrations, not raw user volume |
| Integrations | Deep AWS service integration, social identity providers, basic SAML | Pre-built, standardized integrations with major Identity Providers (IdPs) like Okta, Azure AD, and SCIM for HR systems |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Best For | General-purpose app auth on AWS (B2C, internal apps) | B2B SaaS needing enterprise features (SSO, Directory Sync) |
Choose AWS Cognito if...
AWS Cognito is the better choice for startups or projects building B2C or internal applications where user management and basic social/email/password authentication are the primary needs. It is ideal for teams already using AWS who want a scalable, serverless auth solution with a cost structure that grows with their user base.
Choose WorkOS if...
WorkOS is the superior choice for B2B SaaS companies that need to implement enterprise features like SAML/SSO, SCIM directory sync, and complex role-based access control out-of-the-box. It is designed to simplify enterprise sales cycles by providing pre-built, compliant integrations that large customers expect.
Product Details
AWS Cognito
A fully managed service that provides user sign-up, sign-in, and access control for web and mobile apps.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go
Best For
Developers and businesses building web or mobile applications on AWS who need a scalable, managed authentication and user management service.
Key Features
Pros
- + Fully managed and serverless, reducing operational overhead
- + Deep integration with other AWS services like API Gateway and Lambda
- + Highly scalable to support millions of users
Cons
- - Can become complex and costly for advanced customization
- - Vendor lock-in to the AWS ecosystem
- - Initial setup and configuration has a steep learning curve
WorkOS
Provides enterprise-ready infrastructure like Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and directory sync for B2B SaaS applications.
Pricing
$99/mo
Best For
B2B SaaS companies that need to sell to enterprise customers and require secure, compliant authentication and user provisioning integrations.
Key Features
Pros
- + Drastically reduces development time for enterprise integrations
- + Clean, well-documented API and developer experience
- + Handles the complexity of multiple identity provider protocols
Cons
- - Pricing can become significant at high user volumes
- - Primarily focused on B2B use cases, less ideal for B2C
- - Some advanced features require higher-tier plans