# Hanko: Free Open Source Alternative to AWS Cognito, Clerk, FrontEgg

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/hanko
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Hanko (Open Source, Open Source) replaces AWS Cognito, Clerk, FrontEgg, Stytch. Open source authentication platform supporting passkeys, 2FA, SSO, and social login. Self-host or use Hanko Cloud, with full control over your data and no lock-in.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: Hanko
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://hanko.io/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/teamhanko/hanko
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 9.1k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/teamhanko/hanko or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS Cognito.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (5)
Replacing these paid tools with Hanko saves up to $30/mo ($360/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AWS Cognito](https://caniforkit.com/aws-cognito) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare AWS Cognito vs Hanko](https://caniforkit.com/vs/aws-cognito-vs-hanko) |
| [Clerk](https://caniforkit.com/clerk) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare Clerk vs Hanko](https://caniforkit.com/vs/clerk-vs-hanko) |
| [FrontEgg](https://caniforkit.com/frontegg) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare FrontEgg vs Hanko](https://caniforkit.com/vs/frontegg-vs-hanko) |
| [Stytch](https://caniforkit.com/stytch) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare Stytch vs Hanko](https://caniforkit.com/vs/stytch-vs-hanko) |
| [WorkOS](https://caniforkit.com/workos) | [security](https://caniforkit.com/category/security) | $6/mo | [Compare WorkOS vs Hanko](https://caniforkit.com/vs/workos-vs-hanko) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Hanko free and open source?
Hanko is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Open source authentication platform supporting passkeys, 2FA, SSO, and social login. Self-host or use Hanko Cloud, with full control over your data and no lock-in.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using Hanko?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS Cognito.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)