AWS CDK vs Terraform: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for AWS CDK and Terraform side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
AWS CDK
Define cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Terraform requires payment)
Terraform
Manage cloud infrastructure with declarative code
Best for you if:
- • You want multi-cloud support
| At a Glance | AWS CDK | Terraform |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | DevOps Infrastructure as Code | DevOps Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 136 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 111 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Resources are counted hourly, so ephemeral infrastructure (CI environments, dev clusters) still incurs cost during their lifetime |
Choose AWS CDK or Terraform?
Choose AWS CDK if
- You want a fully free tool (Terraform requires payment)
- You want infrastructure as code with real languages
- You want TypeScript, Python, Java support
Choose Terraform if
- You want multi-cloud support
- You want great community
In-Depth Analysis
AWS CDK
Define cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages
The AWS CDK is a free and extremely generous offering, as users only pay for the AWS resources they deploy, not for the tool itself.
Strengths
- Pro: Infrastructure as code with real languages
- Pro: TypeScript, Python, Java support
- Pro: Better than raw CloudFormation
- Pro: Good IDE support
- Pro: Reusable constructs
Weaknesses
- Con: AWS only
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Generated CloudFormation can be huge
- Con: Debugging difficult
- Con: Breaking changes between versions
Key features
Terraform
Manage cloud infrastructure with declarative code
Terraform CLI is free and will remain free, the pricing question is about HCP Terraform (formerly Terraform Cloud).
Watch out
Resources are counted hourly, so ephemeral infrastructure (CI environments, dev clusters) still incurs cost during their lifetime
Strengths
- Pro: Multi-cloud support
- Pro: Great community
- Pro: Declarative syntax
Weaknesses
- Con: State management
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
Plans and prices: AWS CDK vs Terraform
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AWS CDK |
| aws.amazon.com/cdk read Oct 4, 2026 |
| Terraform |
| terraform.io/pricing read Oct 6, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on AWS CDK pricing and Terraform pricing.
Key Takeaways
AWS CDK
- Choose if you want define cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages
Terraform
- Choose if you want manage cloud infrastructure with declarative code
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 136 reviews for AWS CDK, 4.6/5 from 111 reviews for Terraform).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AWS CDK and Terraform compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 136 reviews for AWS CDK, 4.6/5 from 111 reviews for Terraform). Both have a free plan.
What are AWS CDK and Terraform used for?
AWS CDK: Define cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages. Terraform: Manage cloud infrastructure with declarative code.
What does AWS CDK cost vs Terraform?
AWS CDK is free. Terraform has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between AWS CDK and Terraform?
AWS CDK's main strength: infrastructure as code with real languages. Terraform's main strength: multi-cloud support.