AWS Amplify vs Knock: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
AWS Amplify positions itself as "full-stack hosting and backend for web and mobile apps on aws" while Knock goes after "notification infrastructure for developers" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — AWS Amplify uses a usage-based-based model and Knock a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows.
At a glance
| AWS Amplify | Knock | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 68/100 | 84/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Full-stack hosting and backend for web and mobile apps on AWS | Notification infrastructure for developers |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Knock |
|---|---|---|
| Git push deploys | Yes | No |
| Preview environments | Yes | No |
| Custom domains | Yes | No |
| Automatic HTTPS | Yes | No |
| Build pipeline | Yes | No |
| Multi-channel notifications | No | Yes |
| Workflow builder | No | Yes |
| User preferences | No | Yes |
| In-app feed | No | Yes |
| Template management | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Knock |
|---|---|---|
| Auth (Cognito) | Yes | No |
| API (AppSync/API GW) | Yes | No |
| Storage (S3) | Yes | No |
| Functions (Lambda) | Yes | No |
| Hosting SSR | Yes | No |
| Branching logic | No | Yes |
| Digest notifications | No | Yes |
| Batch & debounce | No | Yes |
| Tenant support | No | Yes |
| Audit logs | No | Yes |
integrations
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Knock |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Yes | No |
| GitLab | Yes | No |
| Bitbucket | Yes | No |
| All AWS services | Yes | No |
| AWS CodeCommit | Yes | No |
| Sendgrid | No | Yes |
| Twilio | No | Yes |
| Slack | No | Yes |
| Push (Firebase/APNs) | No | Yes |
| Webhooks | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing AWS Amplify means going without Multi-channel notifications, Workflow builder, User preferences (which Knock offers). Choosing Knock means losing Git push deploys, Preview environments, Custom domains. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
AWS Amplify (100,000+ employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Knock (1-10 employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose AWS Amplify if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Knock if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is AWS Amplify or Knock better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to AWS Amplify's 68/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — AWS Amplify excels at ease of use (6/10) while Knock scores 9/10.
How much does AWS Amplify cost compared to Knock?
AWS Amplify starts at free (free tier available). Knock starts at free (free tier available). AWS Amplify is the more affordable option.
Does AWS Amplify or Knock have a free plan?
Yes, both AWS Amplify and Knock offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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