AWS Lambda vs OpenFaaS: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS Lambda and OpenFaaS 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: AWS Lambda is our free Serverless pick. AWS is our overall Serverless pick. Pick OpenFaaS if you need cloud & infrastructure.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS Lambda
Run code without managing servers, pay only for compute time
Best for you if:
- • You want industry-standard serverless platform
- • You want integrates with entire AWS ecosystem
OpenFaaS
Serverless functions on Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (AWS Lambda requires payment)
- • You want open source serverless
- • You want kubernetes native
| At a Glance | AWS Lambda | OpenFaaS |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Serverless | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 3.5/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose AWS Lambda or OpenFaaS?
Choose AWS Lambda if
Run code without managing servers, pay only for compute time
- You want industry-standard serverless platform
- You want integrates with entire AWS ecosystem
- Your work is serverless-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
Choose OpenFaaS if
Serverless functions on Kubernetes
- You want a fully free tool (AWS Lambda requires payment)
- You want open source serverless
- You want kubernetes native
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not serverless-shaped
| Feature | AWS Lambda | OpenFaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★3.5/5 1,570 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | ServerlessCloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS Lambda
Run code without managing servers, pay only for compute time
Lambda pioneered serverless compute and remains the default choice in the AWS ecosystem.
Watch out
Duration billing rounds up to the nearest millisecond, but memory billing is per-GB-second at allocated memory (not used memory). Allocating 1 GB but using 200 MB still bills for 1 GB, right-sizing memory is critical
Strengths
- +Industry-standard serverless platform
- +Integrates with entire AWS ecosystem
- +Scales automatically to any load
- +Pay only for compute time used
- +Supports many languages and runtimes
Weaknesses
- -Cold starts can affect latency
- -Complex pricing model
- -15-minute execution time limit
- -Debugging can be challenging
- -Vendor lock-in with AWS services
Key features
OpenFaaS
Serverless functions on Kubernetes
OpenFaaS offers a very generous pricing model with its free Community Edition, making it highly accessible for individual developers and small teams.
Watch out
OpenFaaS Pro pricing is not public, requiring direct contact.
Strengths
- +Open source serverless
- +Kubernetes native
- +Self-hostable
- +Good community
- +Language agnostic
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Setup complexity
- -Enterprise features paid
- -Documentation gaps
- -Operational overhead
Key features
Pricing: AWS Lambda vs OpenFaaS
| Plan | AWS Lambda | OpenFaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free Tier | Free Community Edition |
| Tier 2 | $0.20/million Pay-as-you-go | Custom OpenFaaS Pro |
| Tier 3 | $0.16/million Graviton2 (ARM) | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Up to 17% off Savings Plans | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS Lambda pricing and OpenFaaS pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OpenFaaS is free. AWS Lambda is freemium.
Go with: OpenFaaS
Want the highest-rated option?
AWS Lambda is rated 3.5/5. OpenFaaS has no ratings yet.
Go with: AWS Lambda
Value user reviews?
AWS Lambda: 1,570 reviews (3.5/5). OpenFaaS: no ratings yet.
Go with: AWS Lambda
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
AWS Lambda is freemium. OpenFaaS is free. Go with OpenFaaS if free matters most.
What's your use case?
AWS Lambda is a serverless tool. OpenFaaS is in cloud & infrastructure. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
AWS Lambda is rated 3.5/5; OpenFaaS has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
AWS Lambda
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
OpenFaaS
- Completely free
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
AWS Lambda is our free Serverless pick. AWS is our overall Serverless pick. That said, OpenFaaS is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS Lambda or OpenFaaS better?
AWS Lambda is rated in our evaluation. AWS Lambda is freemium and OpenFaaS is free.
What are AWS Lambda and OpenFaaS used for?
AWS Lambda: Run code without managing servers, pay only for compute time. OpenFaaS: Serverless functions on Kubernetes.
What does AWS Lambda cost vs OpenFaaS?
AWS Lambda is freemium (free tier + paid plans). OpenFaaS is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.