Pulumi vs SST: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Pulumi and SST 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:
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
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • SST is an open-source framework for building serverless apps on AWS
- • It provides live Lambda development with infrastructure as code
| At a Glance |  SST | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Low-Code Backend |
Rating | 85/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Pulumi | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation | Low-Code BackendHosting & Deployment |
How Pulumi and SST Compare
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Free · 84/100 score
Pulumi is a hosting & deployment tool. SST is in low-code backend.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SST is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: SST
Want the highest-rated option?
Pulumi: 85/100. SST: 84/100.
Go with: Pulumi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Pulumi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Pulumi is freemium. SST is free. Go with SST if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Pulumi is a hosting & deployment tool. SST is in low-code backend. 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
SST
- Completely free
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick. That said, SST is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pulumi or SST better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Pulumi is freemium and SST is free.
What are Pulumi and SST used for?
Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language. SST: Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS.
What does Pulumi cost vs SST?
Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). SST is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.