OpenTofu vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between OpenTofu 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:
OpenTofu
Open-source Terraform fork
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need infrastructure as code features specifically
- • OpenTofu is an open-source fork of Terraform for infrastructure as code
- • It provides a community-driven alternative following Terraform's license change
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • 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 |  OpenTofu | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Infrastructure as Code | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 85/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | OpenTofu | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Infrastructure as Code | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How OpenTofu and Pulumi Compare
OpenTofu
Open-source Terraform fork
Free · 85/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
OpenTofu is a infrastructure as code tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OpenTofu is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: OpenTofu
Want the highest-rated option?
OpenTofu: 85/100. Pulumi: 85/100.
Go with: OpenTofu
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: OpenTofu
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
OpenTofu is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with OpenTofu if free matters most.
What's your use case?
OpenTofu is a infrastructure as code tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both score 85/100.
Key Takeaways
OpenTofu
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Pulumi
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
OpenTofu (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenTofu or Pulumi better?
OpenTofu scores 85/100 in our evaluation. OpenTofu is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are OpenTofu and Pulumi used for?
OpenTofu: Open-source Terraform fork. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does OpenTofu cost vs Pulumi?
OpenTofu is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.