Architect vs SST: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Architect and SST comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: SST wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick. Pick Architect if you need infrastructure as code.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Architect
Build serverless apps with infrastructure as code
Best for you if:
- • You want simple AWS serverless
- • You want good DX
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want modern serverless framework
- • You want live Lambda development
| At a Glance | Architect | SST |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Infrastructure as Code | DevOps |
Rating | 4.8/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Architect or SST?
Choose Architect if
Build serverless apps with infrastructure as code
- You want simple AWS serverless
- You want good DX
- Your work is infrastructure as code-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
Choose SST if
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
- You want modern serverless framework
- You want live Lambda development
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not infrastructure as code-shaped
| Feature | Architect | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.8/5 10 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Infrastructure as CodeServerless | DevOpsCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
Architect
Build serverless apps with infrastructure as code
Architect's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully functional, open-source serverless framework for $0.
Watch out
AWS infrastructure costs (compute, storage, etc.)
Strengths
- +Simple AWS serverless
- +Good DX
- +Local development
- +Open source
- +Functional approach
Weaknesses
- -AWS only
- -Limited features
- -Smaller community
- -Less flexible
- -Opinionated
Key features
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
SST's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely open-source and free to use across all features.
Strengths
- +Modern serverless framework
- +Live Lambda development
- +Good TypeScript support
- +CDK based
- +Free and open source
Weaknesses
- -AWS only
- -Newer platform
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Breaking changes
Key features
Pricing: Architect vs SST
| Plan | Architect | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | $0 forever Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Architect pricing and SST pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Architect
Want the highest-rated option?
Architect is rated 4.8/5. SST has no ratings yet.
Go with: Architect
Value user reviews?
Architect: 10 reviews (4.8/5). SST: no ratings yet.
Go with: Architect
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Architect is a infrastructure as code tool. SST is in DevOps. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Architect is rated 4.8/5; SST has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
SST
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Architect
- Better fit for infrastructure as code
The Bottom Line
SST wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Architect or SST better?
SST is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Architect and SST used for?
Architect: Build serverless apps with infrastructure as code. SST: Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS.
What does Architect cost vs SST?
Architect is completely free. SST is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.