<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.3.a.u2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>156</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>316</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>61</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>NATURE OF BUSINESS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - PATENT RELATED INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePatentRelatedIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>PATENT RELATED INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureOffBalanceSheetArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Assets measured at fair value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Assets measured at fair value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40202 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for doubtful accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for doubtful accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40203 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Estimated useful lives of assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEstimatedUsefulLivesOfAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Estimated useful lives of assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40204 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Contract assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Contract assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40205 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Contract liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Contract liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40206 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Concentration of credit risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationOfCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Concentration of credit risk (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40207 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Remaining Performance Obligation , Contract Costs , Capitalization Costs and Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRemainingPerformanceObligationContractCostsCapitalizationCostsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Remaining Performance Obligation , Contract Costs , Capitalization Costs and Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - PATENT RELATED INCOME (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePatentRelatedIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PATENT RELATED INCOME (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePatentRelatedIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Summary of property and equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Summary of property and equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Components of provision for income taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Components of provision for income taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40502 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of U.S. federal statutory rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfUsFederalStatutoryRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of U.S. federal statutory rate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40503 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Principal components of deferred tax assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesPrincipalComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Principal components of deferred tax assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40504 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Rollforward of uncertain tax position (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesRollforwardOfUncertainTaxPositionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Rollforward of uncertain tax position (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40505 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Stock-based employee compensation expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansStockBasedEmployeeCompensationExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Stock-based employee compensation expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Assumptions to determine fair value of options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansAssumptionsToDetermineFairValueOfOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Assumptions to determine fair value of options (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40603 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Summary of stock option transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansSummaryOfStockOptionTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Summary of stock option transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40604 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Summarizes of stock options outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansSummarizesOfStockOptionsOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Summarizes of stock options outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40605 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Fixed Stock Option Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansFixedStockOptionPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Fixed Stock Option Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40606 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Unrestricted Stock Grants (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansUnrestrictedStockGrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Unrestricted Stock Grants (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40607 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Performance share awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansPerformanceShareAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Performance share awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40608 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40609 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Share Purchases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEquityAndStockCompensationPlansSharePurchasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS - Share Purchases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenues generated from geographic regions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersRevenuesGeneratedFromGeographicRegionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenues generated from geographic regions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Summary of revenue by product group (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersSummaryOfRevenueByProductGroupDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Summary of revenue by product group (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40803 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenue derived from major customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersRevenueDerivedFromMajorCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenue derived from major customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40804 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenue by timing of transfer of goods or services (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersRevenueByTimingOfTransferOfGoodsOrServicesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS - Revenue by timing of transfer of goods or services (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40805 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAndMajorCustomersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlan</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="awre-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - Calculation of net income per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareCalculationOfNetIncomePerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - Calculation of net income per share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aware.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>awre-20191231.xml</File>
    <File>awre-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>awre-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>awre-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>awre-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>awre-20191231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
