SST vs Pulumi: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between SST 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.
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
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You need infrastructure as code 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 |  SST | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | DevOps | Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | - | 4.8/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose SST or Pulumi?
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 (Pulumi requires payment)
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not infrastructure as code-shaped
Choose Pulumi if
Infrastructure as code in any language
- Real programming languages
- Multi-cloud
- Great testing
- Your work is infrastructure as code-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
| Feature | SST | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.8/5 28 reviews |
| Categories | DevOpsCloud & Infrastructure | Infrastructure as CodeDevOps |
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
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Strengths
- +Real programming languages
- +Multi-cloud
- +Great testing
Weaknesses
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -State management
Key features
Pricing: SST vs Pulumi
| Plan | SST | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 forever Open Source | Free Individual |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $40 Team |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $400 Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Business Critical |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on SST pricing and Pulumi pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SST is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: SST
Want the highest-rated option?
Pulumi is rated 4.8/5. SST has no ratings yet.
Go with: Pulumi
Value user reviews?
SST: no ratings yet. Pulumi: 28 reviews (4.8/5).
Go with: Pulumi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
SST is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with SST if free matters most.
What's your use case?
SST is a DevOps tool. Pulumi is in infrastructure as code. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi is rated 4.8/5; SST has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SST
- Completely free
- Better fit for DevOps
The Bottom Line
Pulumi is our pick. That said, SST is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SST or Pulumi better?
Pulumi is rated in our evaluation. SST is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are SST and Pulumi used for?
SST: Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does SST cost vs Pulumi?
SST is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.