AWS Secrets Manager vs HashiCorp Vault: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS Secrets Manager and HashiCorp Vault 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: HashiCorp Vault is our overall pick for security workflows. Pick AWS Secrets Manager if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
Best for you if:
- • AWS Secrets Manager helps you securely store and rotate database credentials, API keys, and other secrets
- • It integrates natively with AWS services and supports automatic rotation for RDS and other databases
HashiCorp Vault
Securely store, manage, and encrypt secrets and credentials
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Secrets management and data encryption platform
- • Dynamic secrets and identity-based access
| At a Glance |  AWS Secrets Manager |  HashiCorp Vault |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.4/month per secretPer Secret | $0.5/moStandard |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Choose AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault?
Choose AWS Secrets Manager if
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
- Managed secrets storage
- Automatic rotation
- Audit logging
- Budget matters ($0.4/month per secret vs $0.5/mo)
Choose HashiCorp Vault if
Securely store, manage, and encrypt secrets and credentials
- Industry standard
- Feature-rich
- Open source option
| Feature | AWS Secrets Manager | HashiCorp Vault |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 22 reviews | ★4.5/5 287 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityCloud & Infrastructure | SecurityDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
Strengths
- +Managed secrets storage
- +Automatic rotation
- +Audit logging
- +Integration with AWS services
- +Cross-account access
Weaknesses
- -Per-secret pricing adds up
- -AWS only
- -Less flexible than Vault
- -Rotation setup complex
- -Region-specific
Key features
HashiCorp Vault
Securely store, manage, and encrypt secrets and credentials
Strengths
- +Industry standard
- +Feature-rich
- +Open source option
Weaknesses
- -Complex setup
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: AWS Secrets Manager vs HashiCorp Vault
| Plan | AWS Secrets Manager | HashiCorp Vault |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0.4 month per secret Per Secret | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $0.05 /10,000 calls API Calls | $0.5 Standard |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $0.95 Plus |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS Secrets Manager pricing and HashiCorp Vault pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
HashiCorp Vault has a free tier. AWS Secrets Manager is paid only.
Go with: HashiCorp Vault
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: AWS Secrets Manager
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: HashiCorp Vault
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
AWS Secrets Manager is paid. HashiCorp Vault is freemium. HashiCorp Vault lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
HashiCorp Vault
- Larger review base (287 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Secrets Manager
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5
The Bottom Line
HashiCorp Vault is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault better?
HashiCorp Vault is rated in our evaluation. AWS Secrets Manager is paid and HashiCorp Vault is freemium.
What are AWS Secrets Manager and HashiCorp Vault used for?
AWS Secrets Manager: AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely. HashiCorp Vault: Securely store, manage, and encrypt secrets and credentials.
What does AWS Secrets Manager cost vs HashiCorp Vault?
AWS Secrets Manager is a paid tool. HashiCorp Vault is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.