Knock vs Onfido: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Knock positions itself as "notification infrastructure for developers" while Onfido goes after "real identity at global scale" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Knock uses a freemium approach and Onfido a enterprise-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Knock lets you start for free, which means you can validate the fit before committing budget. Onfido requires a paid commitment upfront, so make sure it matches your workflow before signing. Onfido (founded 2012) 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
| Knock | Onfido | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 79/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Notification infrastructure for developers | Real identity at global scale |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Knock | Onfido |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-channel notifications | Yes | No |
| Workflow builder | Yes | No |
| User preferences | Yes | No |
| In-app feed | Yes | No |
| Template management | Yes | No |
| ID document verification | No | Yes |
| Biometric verification | No | Yes |
| Liveness detection | No | Yes |
| 160+ countries | No | Yes |
| KYC workflows | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Knock means going without ID document verification, Biometric verification, Liveness detection (which Onfido offers). Choosing Onfido means losing Multi-channel notifications, Workflow builder, User preferences. 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
Onfido (501-1000 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 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
Choose Onfido if...
- You're ready to invest from $null/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Knock or Onfido better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to Onfido's 79/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Knock excels at ease of use (9/10) while Onfido scores 7/10.
How much does Knock cost compared to Onfido?
Knock starts at free (free tier available). Onfido starts at free. Knock is the more affordable option.
Does Knock or Onfido have a free plan?
Knock offers a free tier. Onfido does not — its cheapest plan starts at $null/mo.
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