No-code gateway enforcement
Place Access Proxy in front of the app and require MFA before approved traffic reaches protected resources.
Cognito MFA alternative
Add MFA to Existing Apps Without Moving Every Login to Cognito
Amazon Cognito is a strong choice when you are building app authentication around AWS user pools, managed login, and modern customer sign-in flows. Datawiza Access Proxy is built for the apps you already run.
Use Datawiza as a no-code MFA gateway in front of customer portals, partner apps, internal tools, and legacy systems. Add built-in MFA without changing app code, moving users into Cognito, or rebuilding every login flow.
The practical difference
Cognito Is for AWS App Identity. Datawiza Is for Fast MFA on Existing Apps.
Many teams do not have a Cognito problem. They have important apps that need MFA now, but moving every user and login flow into a user pool would create delay and risk.
If the immediate use case is a customer, partner, or vendor portal, see MFA for customer portals for the access-layer rollout pattern without a CIAM migration.
Built-in MFA
Use Datawiza built-in MFA when the fastest path is to enforce strong authentication at the access layer.
No user-pool migration first
Preserve the app's current login and user-store patterns while adding a central MFA enforcement point.
Works with AWS and mixed stacks
Use Datawiza alone for MFA, or integrate with Cognito and other identity providers where that architecture fits.
Comparison
Datawiza vs Cognito MFA for Existing Web Apps
Cognito is a strong fit for apps designed around Cognito user pools. Datawiza is a strong fit when the priority is adding MFA to existing apps without rebuilding their authentication path.
| Criteria | Datawiza Access Proxy | Amazon Cognito MFA |
|---|---|---|
| Primary job | Enforce MFA, SSO, access policy, and audit in front of existing web apps with Datawiza Access Proxy. | Provide user-pool authentication, managed login, app integration, and MFA for users authenticating through Cognito. |
| Application work | Route application traffic through Access Proxy and enforce MFA before requests reach the app. | Applications typically need to be integrated with Cognito user pools, managed login, OAuth/OIDC, SDKs, or API flows. |
| User migration | Can preserve existing app login and user stores while adding MFA at the access layer. | Best when users and sign-in flows can be managed through Cognito user pools or a planned identity migration. |
| Federated users | Can enforce MFA at the proxy layer before app access, regardless of whether the app itself is ready for a new identity model. | Cognito documentation notes that Cognito delegates authentication for federated users to the IdP. |
| Legacy compatibility | Designed for apps that were not built for modern SSO, MFA, SAML, or OIDC. | Best when the app can participate in Cognito-supported authentication patterns. |
| Best-fit project | Fast MFA for existing apps without source-code changes or a user migration first. | AWS-native identity for applications that can be built or refactored around Cognito. |
Related MFA pages
Explore the No-Code MFA Deployment Path
Use these pages to compare the gateway approach, reverse proxy architecture, legacy app rollout, and vendor-specific MFA alternatives for existing applications.
No-Code MFA
Start with the main overview for built-in MFA, proxy enforcement, app coverage, and rollout strategy.
What is No-Code MFA?
Get the definition of no-code MFA, including built-in MFA, identity provider mode, and where access-layer enforcement fits.
MFA for HR Systems
Protect PeopleSoft HCM, payroll, employee self-service, retiree portals, and other web-based HR systems without changing app code.
MFA for legacy applications
Add MFA to legacy applications without changing source code, migrating users, or waiting for an application rewrite.
MFA for Web Applications
Add MFA or 2FA to public-facing, external-facing, internet-facing, internal, and custom web applications without changing app code.
MFA for IIS applications
Add MFA to IIS applications without touching code, using Datawiza built-in MFA or Entra ID, Okta, Ping, or Duo as the identity provider.
MFA for Admin Portals
Protect admin portals, admin dashboards, back-office apps, and privileged web consoles with MFA before app access.
MFA for Customer Portals
Protect customer portals, partner apps, vendor portals, and customer-facing applications without forcing a CIAM migration.
MFA for ERP Applications
Protect SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Epicor, NetSuite, Sage, Acumatica, and custom ERP web apps without rewriting login.
MFA reverse proxy
Use a reverse proxy in front of existing web applications to add MFA without changing application source code.
MFA Gateway
Use a gateway enforcement point for SSO, MFA, access policy, headers, and audit across existing web applications.
MFA without user migration
Add MFA for existing users without forcing a user migration or rebuilding the application's login system first.
MFA without an IdP
Use Datawiza built-in MFA after the existing app login and before application access when an IdP integration is not required.
Datawiza Access Proxy
See the product behind the proxy pattern for SSO, MFA, access policy, headers, and audit across existing web apps.
compare the top MFA solutions
Compare the top MFA solutions by deployment model, legacy app support, no-code coverage, and pricing approach.
Auth0 MFA Alternative
Compare Datawiza with Auth0 when you need MFA for existing apps without a full CIAM migration.
Entra External ID MFA Alternative
Compare Datawiza with Entra External ID for existing apps that are not ready for a customer identity rebuild.
PingOne MFA Alternative
Compare Datawiza with PingOne when not every app can join a Ping-centered MFA rollout immediately.
Twilio Verify Alternative
Compare Datawiza with Twilio Verify when you need MFA and 2FA for existing apps without building a verification API integration.
SAP MFA for Web GUI, Fiori, Portal, and SRM
Add multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) to SAP Web GUI, Fiori, Portal, Web Dynpro, ITS, SRM, supplier portals, and ABAP web apps without upgrading SAP.
NYDFS MFA
See how regulated teams can enforce MFA for web applications, remote access, privileged accounts, and third-party access tied to NYDFS Part 500 programs.
HIPAA MFA
Enforce MFA for healthcare web applications, portals, remote access, privileged users, and third-party access tied to HIPAA security programs.
How it works
Add MFA Before Users Reach the App
Datawiza Access Proxy sits between users and protected apps. It verifies the user, enforces MFA, applies policy, then forwards approved requests to the application.
1. Place Access Proxy in front of the app
Put Datawiza Access Proxy in front of the customer portal, partner app, internal tool, or legacy system.
2. Choose the MFA source
Use Datawiza built-in MFA, or connect Cognito when Cognito is already part of your identity architecture.
3. Enforce policy before app access
Apply MFA by app, path, audience, group, policy, and rollout stage before traffic reaches the protected app.
4. Roll out app by app
Expand from one high-risk app to other existing apps without separate MFA coding projects for every team.
Use cases
When Datawiza Is the Better MFA Path
Add MFA to an existing customer portal without moving users into Cognito first
Protect AWS-hosted, hybrid, or on-prem apps that cannot be rewritten quickly
Meet cyber insurance or compliance MFA requirements on a short timeline
Keep existing app login while adding stronger access control and audit
Use Cognito for new AWS-native apps while protecting older apps with Access Proxy
FAQ
Cognito MFA Alternative Questions
Is Datawiza a complete Cognito replacement?
No. Datawiza Access Proxy is not a full replacement for Amazon Cognito user pools or AWS-native identity architecture. It is a Cognito MFA alternative for teams that need MFA in front of existing apps without a migration or rewrite.
Can Datawiza add MFA without Cognito?
Yes. Datawiza Access Proxy provides built-in MFA, so teams can enforce MFA without Cognito when the fastest path is gateway-based protection.
Can Datawiza work with Cognito?
Yes. Datawiza can integrate with Cognito when Cognito is already part of the environment, while still helping protect apps that are not ready for direct Cognito integration.
Why not just add Cognito MFA to every app?
For apps built around Cognito user pools, that can be the right path. For existing apps that would need a login rewrite or user migration, a proxy-based MFA gateway can be faster and less disruptive.
Which apps are a good fit for Datawiza Access Proxy?
Datawiza is commonly used for customer portals, partner portals, internal tools, legacy ERP and CRM apps, and custom web applications that do not natively support modern MFA.
Next step
See How Datawiza Would Protect One Existing App
Bring one customer portal, B2B app, internal tool, or legacy web application. Datawiza can show where Access Proxy sits, how MFA is enforced, and what changes are avoided.
Amazon Cognito is a service of Amazon Web Services, Inc. This page is an independent comparison and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon Web Services.