SaltStack vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SaltStack 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:
SaltStack
Infrastructure automation and management
Best for you if:
- • You need automation features specifically
- • SaltStack is an infrastructure automation and configuration management tool
- • It manages servers at scale with event-driven automation
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10)
- • 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Automation | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 75/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | SaltStack | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 75 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationWorkflow Automation | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How SaltStack and Pulumi Compare
SaltStack
Infrastructure automation and management
Free tier available · 75/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
SaltStack is a automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: SaltStack
Want the highest-rated option?
SaltStack: 75/100. 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?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
SaltStack is a automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi scores higher: 85/100 vs 75/100.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 75
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SaltStack
- Better fit for automation
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SaltStack or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are SaltStack and Pulumi used for?
SaltStack: Infrastructure automation and management. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does SaltStack cost vs Pulumi?
SaltStack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.