Spacelift vs SaltStack: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Spacelift and SaltStack 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:
Spacelift
The IaC Orchestration Platform Engineers Trust for secure, cost-effective, and high-performance infrastructure.
Best for you if:
- • Orchestrates IaC tools like Terraform, OpenTofu, and Ansible for automated infrastructure provisioning and configuration.
- • Provides robust governance, policy enforcement, and drift detection for secure and compliant infrastructure management.
SaltStack
Infrastructure automation and management
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.5/10 vs 7.2/10)
- • SaltStack is an infrastructure automation and configuration management tool
- • It manages servers at scale with event-driven automation
| At a Glance |  Spacelift | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Automation | Automation |
Rating | 72/100 | 75/100 |
| Feature | Spacelift | SaltStack |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 72 | 75 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationCI/CD | AutomationWorkflow Automation |
How Spacelift and SaltStack Compare
Spacelift
The IaC Orchestration Platform Engineers Trust for secure, cost-effective, and high-performance infrastructure.
Free tier available · 72/100 score
SaltStack
Infrastructure automation and management
Free tier available · 75/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Spacelift
Want the highest-rated option?
Spacelift: 72/100. SaltStack: 75/100.
Go with: SaltStack
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: SaltStack
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?
Both are automation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
SaltStack scores higher: 75/100 vs 72/100.
Key Takeaways
SaltStack
- Higher score: 75/100 vs 72
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Spacelift
The Bottom Line
SaltStack (75/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spacelift or SaltStack better?
SaltStack scores 75/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Spacelift and SaltStack used for?
Spacelift: The IaC Orchestration Platform Engineers Trust for secure, cost-effective, and high-performance infrastructure.. SaltStack: Infrastructure automation and management.
What does Spacelift cost vs SaltStack?
Spacelift is freemium (free tier + paid plans). SaltStack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.