AWS SNS vs Knock: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
AWS SNS positions itself as "managed pub/sub messaging and mobile push at aws scale" 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 SNS uses a usage-based-based model and Knock a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. AWS SNS (founded 2010) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Knock (2021) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| AWS SNS | Knock | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 72/100 | 84/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Managed pub/sub messaging and mobile push at AWS scale | Notification infrastructure for developers |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | AWS SNS | Knock |
|---|---|---|
| Pub/sub topics | Yes | No |
| Mobile push | Yes | No |
| SMS delivery | Yes | No |
| Email notifications | Yes | No |
| SQS fan-out | Yes | No |
| Multi-channel notifications | No | Yes |
| Workflow builder | No | Yes |
| User preferences | No | Yes |
| In-app feed | No | Yes |
| Template management | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing AWS SNS means going without Multi-channel notifications, Workflow builder, User preferences (which Knock offers). Choosing Knock means losing Pub/sub topics, Mobile push, SMS delivery. 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 SNS (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 SNS 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 SNS or Knock better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to AWS SNS's 72/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — AWS SNS excels at ease of use (5/10) while Knock scores 9/10.
How much does AWS SNS cost compared to Knock?
AWS SNS starts at free (free tier available). Knock starts at free (free tier available). AWS SNS is the more affordable option.
Does AWS SNS or Knock have a free plan?
Yes, both AWS SNS and Knock offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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