Terraform vs Crossplane: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Terraform and Crossplane 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:
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • The standard tool for infrastructure as code across any cloud
- • Declarative configuration with plan-apply workflow
Crossplane
Build cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Crossplane is an open-source control plane for building cloud-native platforms
- • It enables teams to provision and manage cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes-native APIs
| At a Glance |  Terraform | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Automation | CI/CD |
Rating | 90/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Terraform | Crossplane |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationCI/CD | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Terraform and Crossplane Compare
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Crossplane
Build cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes
Free · 82/100 score
Terraform is a automation tool. Crossplane is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Crossplane is free. Terraform is freemium.
Go with: Crossplane
Want the highest-rated option?
Terraform: 90/100. Crossplane: 82/100.
Go with: Terraform
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Terraform
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Terraform is freemium. Crossplane is free. Go with Crossplane if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Terraform is a automation tool. Crossplane is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Terraform scores higher: 90/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Terraform
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Crossplane
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Terraform (90/100) is our pick. That said, Crossplane is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terraform or Crossplane better?
Terraform scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Terraform is freemium and Crossplane is free.
What are Terraform and Crossplane used for?
Terraform: Infrastructure as code. Crossplane: Build cloud infrastructure using Kubernetes.
What does Terraform cost vs Crossplane?
Terraform is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Crossplane is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.