Knock vs Sanity: 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 Sanity goes after "developer-first headless cms with real-time collaboration" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Knock charges per message while Sanity charges per seat — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| Knock | Sanity | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 82/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Notification infrastructure for developers | Developer-first headless CMS with real-time collaboration |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Knock | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-channel notifications | Yes | No |
| Workflow builder | Yes | No |
| User preferences | Yes | No |
| In-app feed | Yes | No |
| Template management | Yes | No |
| Content modeling (schema) | No | Yes |
| GROQ query language | No | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | No | Yes |
| Custom Studio | No | Yes |
| Portable Text | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Knock means going without Content modeling (schema), GROQ query language, Real-time collaboration (which Sanity offers). Choosing Sanity 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
Sanity (201-500 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 Sanity if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Knock or Sanity better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to Sanity's 82/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Knock excels at ease of use (9/10) while Sanity scores 7/10.
How much does Knock cost compared to Sanity?
Knock starts at free (free tier available). Sanity starts at free (free tier available). Knock is the more affordable option.
Does Knock or Sanity have a free plan?
Yes, both Knock and Sanity offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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