Scalr vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Scalr 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:
Scalr
Empower developers with self-service Terraform and OpenTofu while maintaining control and standardization.
Best for you if:
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Enables self-service Terraform/OpenTofu for developers with secure, standardized workflows.
- • Provides flexible workflows, policy-as-code, and isolated environments for control and compliance.
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • 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 |  Scalr | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Workflow Automation | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 83/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Scalr | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Workflow AutomationCI/CD | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How Scalr and Pulumi Compare
Scalr
Empower developers with self-service Terraform and OpenTofu while maintaining control and standardization.
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Scalr is a workflow automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Scalr
Want the highest-rated option?
Scalr: 83/100. 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?
Scalr is a workflow automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi scores higher: 85/100 vs 83/100.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 83
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Scalr
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scalr or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Scalr and Pulumi used for?
Scalr: Empower developers with self-service Terraform and OpenTofu while maintaining control and standardization.. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does Scalr cost vs Pulumi?
Scalr is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.