SkyPilot vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SkyPilot 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:
SkyPilot
Run AI workloads seamlessly across any cloud infrastructure.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Orchestrates AI workloads across multiple cloud providers.
- • Automates resource provisioning and data management for AI.
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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 |  SkyPilot | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | SkyPilot | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentInfrastructure as Code | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How SkyPilot and Pulumi Compare
SkyPilot
Run AI workloads seamlessly across any cloud infrastructure.
Free
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SkyPilot is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: SkyPilot
Want the highest-rated option?
Pulumi scores 85/100. SkyPilot is unrated.
Go with: Pulumi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Pulumi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
SkyPilot is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with SkyPilot if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SkyPilot
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick. That said, SkyPilot is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SkyPilot or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. SkyPilot is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are SkyPilot and Pulumi used for?
SkyPilot: Run AI workloads seamlessly across any cloud infrastructure.. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does SkyPilot cost vs Pulumi?
SkyPilot is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.