Spacelift vs Terraform: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Spacelift and Terraform 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.
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 7.2/10)
- • The standard tool for infrastructure as code across any cloud
- • Declarative configuration with plan-apply workflow
| At a Glance |  Spacelift |  Terraform |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Automation | Automation |
Rating | 72/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Spacelift | Terraform |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 72 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationCI/CD | AutomationCI/CD |
How Spacelift and Terraform Compare
Spacelift
The IaC Orchestration Platform Engineers Trust for secure, cost-effective, and high-performance infrastructure.
Free tier available · 72/100 score
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Free tier available · 90/100 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. Terraform: 90/100.
Go with: Terraform
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Terraform
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?
Terraform scores higher: 90/100 vs 72/100.
Key Takeaways
Terraform
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 72
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Spacelift
The Bottom Line
Terraform (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spacelift or Terraform better?
Terraform scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Spacelift and Terraform used for?
Spacelift: The IaC Orchestration Platform Engineers Trust for secure, cost-effective, and high-performance infrastructure.. Terraform: Infrastructure as code.
What does Spacelift cost vs Terraform?
Spacelift is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Terraform is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.