Amazon Cognito vs Descope
Answer: As of 2026-10-31: Amazon Cognito and Descope tie at $0 for 1k users · no SSO; Amazon Cognito wins 10k users · 1 SSO at $2.25/mo ($2,961/yr less than Descope) [Amazon Cognito SSO assumes 200 SSO users per connection; at 2,000 per connection: Amazon Cognito $29.25/mo, Descope $249/mo]; Amazon Cognito wins 50k users · 5 SSO at $234.25/mo ($21,777/yr less than Descope) [Amazon Cognito SSO assumes 200 SSO users per connection; at 2,000 per connection: Amazon Cognito $369.25/mo, Descope $2,049/mo]; Amazon Cognito wins 100k users · 10 SSO at $524.25/mo ($48,297/yr less than Descope) [Amazon Cognito SSO assumes 200 SSO users per connection; at 2,000 per connection: Amazon Cognito $794.25/mo, Descope $4,549/mo].
Cost by MAU (no SSO)
| Monthly users | Amazon Cognito | Descope |
|---|---|---|
| 10k users | $0 Lite | $249 Pro |
| 50k users | $220 Lite | $2,049 Growth |
| 100k users | $495.00 Lite | $4,549 Growth |
With enterprise SSO
| Scenario | Amazon Cognito | Descope |
|---|---|---|
| 1k users · no SSO | $0 Lite | $0 Free Forever |
| 10k users · 1 SSO | $2.25 Lite | $249 Pro |
| 50k users · 5 SSO | $234.25 Lite | $2,049 Growth |
| 100k users · 10 SSO | $524.25 Lite | $4,549 Growth |
Cheapest verified plan per vendor, monthly USD list price. SSO users: Amazon Cognito, Supabase Auth and Firebase Auth / Identity Platform bill SAML/OIDC per SSO user, not per connection (first 50 free, then $0.015 per SSO user a month). Their SSO results here assume 200 SSO users per connection (5 connections = 1,000 SSO users). See how 1,000 or 2,000 per connection changes the result or set your own. How we calculate this.
Amazon Cognito
Essentials (default) free 10k MAU then $0.015/MAU (direct/social). Lite free 10k then $0.0055 / $0.0046 bands. Plus $0.020/MAU no free tier. Federated SAML/OIDC: 50 free then $0.015/MAU.
Source: aws.amazon.com/cognito/pricing/ · 2026-10-31
Descope
Free Forever $0: 7,500 MAU, 10 tenants, 3 SSO connections, no overages. Pro starts at $249/mo billed annually: 10,000 MAU then $0.05/MAU, 35 tenants then $1, 5 SSO then $50/connection. Growth starts at $799/mo: 25,000 MAU then $0.05/MAU, 100 tenants, 10 SSO then $50, SCIM. Enterprise: contact sales.
Source: www.descope.com/pricing · 2026-10-31
Also see: Amazon Cognito alternatives · Descope alternatives · all vendors by MAU · vs self-hosting (Better Auth / Auth.js)
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