SST vs AWS Amplify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between SST and AWS Amplify 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.
Bottom line: SST is our overall pick for DevOps workflows. Pick AWS Amplify if you need low-code backend.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • SST is an open-source framework for building serverless apps on AWS
- • It provides live Lambda development with infrastructure as code
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • AWS Amplify is a development platform for building full-stack web and mobile applications on AWS
- • It provides authentication, storage, APIs, and hosting with minimal configuration required
| At a Glance |  SST |  AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | DevOps | Low-Code Backend |
Rating | - | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose SST or AWS Amplify?
Choose SST if
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
- Modern serverless framework
- Live Lambda development
- Good TypeScript support
- You want a fully free tool (AWS Amplify requires payment)
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not low-code backend-shaped
Choose AWS Amplify if
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
- AWS integration
- Full-stack support
- Good hosting
- Your work is low-code backend-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
| Feature | SST | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 100 reviews |
| Categories | DevOpsCloud & Infrastructure | Low-Code BackendHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Strengths
- +Modern serverless framework
- +Live Lambda development
- +Good TypeScript support
- +CDK based
- +Free and open source
Weaknesses
- -AWS only
- -Newer platform
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Breaking changes
Key features
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Strengths
- +AWS integration
- +Full-stack support
- +Good hosting
Weaknesses
- -AWS complexity
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
Pricing: SST vs AWS Amplify
| Plan | SST | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 forever Open Source | Free Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $0.023 /GB storage Hosting |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $0.01 /minute Build |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $0.3 /1M requests SSR |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on SST pricing and AWS Amplify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SST is free. AWS Amplify is freemium.
Go with: SST
Want the highest-rated option?
AWS Amplify is rated 4.4/5. SST has no ratings yet.
Go with: AWS Amplify
Value user reviews?
SST: no ratings yet. AWS Amplify: 100 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: AWS Amplify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
SST is free. AWS Amplify is freemium. Go with SST if free matters most.
What's your use case?
SST is a DevOps tool. AWS Amplify is in low-code backend. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
AWS Amplify is rated 4.4/5; SST has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
SST
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Amplify
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
SST is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SST or AWS Amplify better?
SST is rated in our evaluation. SST is free and AWS Amplify is freemium.
What are SST and AWS Amplify used for?
SST: Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS. AWS Amplify: Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS.
What does SST cost vs AWS Amplify?
SST is completely free. AWS Amplify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.