Terragrunt vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Terragrunt 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.
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:
Terragrunt
Terraform wrapper for DRY configurations
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Terragrunt is a thin wrapper for Terraform that keeps configurations DRY
- • It manages multiple Terraform modules with reduced duplication
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need hosting & deployment 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 |  Terragrunt | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Workflow Automation | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Terragrunt | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Workflow AutomationCI/CD | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How Terragrunt and Pulumi Compare
Terragrunt
Terraform wrapper for DRY configurations
Free · 84/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Terragrunt is a workflow automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Terragrunt is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: Terragrunt
Want the highest-rated option?
Terragrunt: 84/100. Pulumi: 85/100.
Go with: Pulumi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Pulumi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Terragrunt is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with Terragrunt if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Terragrunt is a workflow automation tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Terragrunt
- Completely free
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick. That said, Terragrunt is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terragrunt or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Terragrunt is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are Terragrunt and Pulumi used for?
Terragrunt: Terraform wrapper for DRY configurations. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does Terragrunt cost vs Pulumi?
Terragrunt is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.