Kustomize vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Kustomize and Pulumi 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Kustomize
Kubernetes native configuration management
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Kustomize is a Kubernetes configuration management tool for customizing deployments
- • It patches and overlays YAML manifests without templating languages
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Pulumi is an infrastructure as code platform using general-purpose languages
- • It manages cloud resources with TypeScript, Python, Go, and other languages
| At a Glance |  Kustomize | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Kustomize | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How Kustomize and Pulumi Compare
Kustomize
Kubernetes native configuration management
Free · 84/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Kustomize is a ci/cd tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Kustomize is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: Kustomize
Want the highest-rated option?
Kustomize: 84/100. Pulumi: 85/100.
Go with: Pulumi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Pulumi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Kustomize is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with Kustomize if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Kustomize is a ci/cd tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Kustomize
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick. That said, Kustomize is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kustomize or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Kustomize is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are Kustomize and Pulumi used for?
Kustomize: Kubernetes native configuration management. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does Kustomize cost vs Pulumi?
Kustomize is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.