Comparing Prefactor to Cognito
Mar 30, 2025
3 mins
Matt (Co-Founder and CEO)
Prefactor vs AWS Cognito: Which Identity Platform is Right for You?
When choosing an authentication platform, developers are often torn between simplicity, scalability, and flexibility. AWS Cognito is a well-known solution, tightly integrated with the AWS ecosystem. But for teams that want more control without being locked into large cloud providers, Prefactor offers an alternative. Here’s how Prefactor compares with AWS Cognito.
Quick Comparison
Feature | Prefactor | AWS Cognito |
|---|---|---|
Hosting Options | Fully Cloud-hosted | Fully Cloud-hosted (AWS) |
Pricing | Transparent, flat pricing | Complex, usage-based |
Customization | Full control, SDK & APIs | Limited, tied to AWS services |
Focus | Built for B2B & complex flows | B2C/B2B, AWS-native environments |
Multi-Tenant Support | Native, fully customizable | Possible, complex setup |
Vendor Lock-in | Minimal | High (AWS ecosystem) |
Key Differences
1. Flexibility vs Ecosystem Lock-In
Prefactor gives you freedom. While it’s fully cloud-hosted, it doesn’t tie you into AWS. If you’re looking for flexibility and control over your auth flows without being locked into an ecosystem, Prefactor is for you.
AWS Cognito works best if you’re already deeply invested in AWS. Customization outside of AWS services can be limited and complex.
2. Pricing Transparency
Prefactor offers flat, predictable pricing with no surprises.
AWS Cognito has a free tier, but pricing can grow unpredictably as your user base or usage increases.
3. Multi-Tenancy and B2B Readiness
Prefactor natively supports multi-tenant architectures, custom roles, and advanced access controls (ABAC).
AWS Cognito can support multi-tenancy but requires significant setup.
When to Choose Prefactor
You want freedom from vendor lock-in.
You need custom, flexible authentication flows.
You’re building a B2B product with complex access needs.
You value transparent, flat pricing over usage-based surprises.
When AWS Cognito Might Work
You’re fully integrated into the AWS ecosystem.
You’re building scalable B2C or B2B apps with AWS-native tools.
You don’t need heavy customization outside AWS services.
Conclusion
Choosing the right authentication platform depends on your tech stack, growth plans, and need for control. If you're looking for flexibility, B2B readiness, and freedom from vendor lock-in, Prefactor is designed for teams like yours. Want to see if it fits? Email us at hello@prefactor.tech to get started.