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Head-to-head · Identity and Access Management Software

Okta Workforce Identity vs Amazon Cognito

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Okta Workforce Identity #1 in Identity and Access Management Software 9.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Okta
Amazon Cognito #6 in Identity and Access Management Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Amazon Cognito

Okta Workforce Identity leads on 0 checks, Amazon Cognito on 2, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOkta Workforce Identity · 9.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceAmazon Cognito · $0.0055/user/mo
  • Free planonly Amazon Cognito
  • Free trialonly Okta Workforce Identity
  • Most featuresOkta Workforce Identity · 3 of 3

Okta Workforce Identity scores higher on our rubric for identity and access management software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Amazon Cognito offers free plan; Okta Workforce Identity doesn't. Amazon Cognito is cheaper to start at $0.0055/user/mo against $6/user/mo.

Okta Workforce Identity is the better fit for mature enterprise workforce IAM. Amazon Cognito is the better fit for low-cost application authentication on AWS.

  • Okta Workforce Identity fits best

    Mature enterprise workforce IAM

  • Amazon Cognito fits best

    Low-cost application authentication on AWS

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Okta Workforce Identity 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Amazon Cognito 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Identity and Access Management Software #6 in Identity and Access Management Software
Best for Mature enterprise workforce IAM Low-cost application authentication on AWS
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $6/user/mo $0.0055/user/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 13 integrations
Features Okta Workforce Identity 3/3 · Amazon Cognito 1/3
Directory sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Lifecycle provisioning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Adaptive access policies ✓ ✓
Specs
SSO protocols OIDC, SAML, WS-Fed, SWA SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), OAuth 2.0
MFA methods Okta Verify, passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn), YubiKey, smart cards, email, phone/SMS, security questions, temporary access codes, third-party authenticators Email, SMS, TOTP authenticator apps, WebAuthn passkeys with user verification
Included users Not checked yet 10000 users
Our review
Pros
  • Covers SSO, MFA, directory, lifecycle, governance, and PAM
  • Supports adaptive, risk-based authentication and identity threat detection
  • Connects with cloud, on-premises, mobile, HR, and directory environments
  • Free plan with 10,000 MAUs for eligible Lite and Essentials accounts
  • OAuth, OIDC, SAML, social login, MFA, and passwordless access
  • Identity pools issue temporary credentials for AWS resource access
Cons
  • No free plan is offered
  • Starter is limited to 5 Workflows
  • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier plans
  • Usage-based pricing can vary with monthly active users
  • Plus has no free tier and adds cost for threat protection
  • Developer-oriented customer IAM rather than a workforce directory
Our verdict

Okta Workforce Identity is a cloud identity and access management platform for employees, contractors, and partners. It brings together single sign-on, configurable multi-factor authentication, adaptive access policies, Universal…

Read the review →

Amazon Cognito is a managed identity and access service for web, iOS, Android, and API applications. It provides user directories, authentication, authorization, identity federation, and temporary AWS credentials. The service is aimed…

Read the review →
  1. Okta Workforce IdentityIdentity and Access Management Software 9.430-day trial
  2. Amazon CognitoIdentity and Access Management Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Okta Workforce Identity — where it wins

    • Covers SSO, MFA, directory, lifecycle, governance, and PAM
    • Supports adaptive, risk-based authentication and identity threat detection
    • Connects with cloud, on-premises, mobile, HR, and directory environments

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered
    • Starter is limited to 5 Workflows
    • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier plans

  • Amazon Cognito — where it wins

    • Free plan with 10,000 MAUs for eligible Lite and Essentials accounts
    • OAuth, OIDC, SAML, social login, MFA, and passwordless access
    • Identity pools issue temporary credentials for AWS resource access

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage-based pricing can vary with monthly active users
    • Plus has no free tier and adds cost for threat protection
    • Developer-oriented customer IAM rather than a workforce directory

More comparisons

All identity and access management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update