tfsec vs Pulumi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between tfsec 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:
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Scans Terraform code for security vulnerabilities.
- • Identifies misconfigurations before deployment.
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 7.3/10)
- • 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 |  tfsec | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 73/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | tfsec | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 73 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDInfrastructure as Code | Hosting & DeploymentAutomation |
How tfsec and Pulumi Compare
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Free · 73/100 score
Pulumi
Infrastructure as code in any language
Free tier available · 85/100 score
tfsec is a ci/cd tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
tfsec is free. Pulumi is freemium.
Go with: tfsec
Want the highest-rated option?
tfsec: 73/100. 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?
tfsec is free. Pulumi is freemium. Go with tfsec if free matters most.
What's your use case?
tfsec is a ci/cd tool. Pulumi is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Pulumi scores higher: 85/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
Pulumi
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 73
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
tfsec
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Pulumi (85/100) is our pick. That said, tfsec is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tfsec or Pulumi better?
Pulumi scores 85/100 in our evaluation. tfsec is free and Pulumi is freemium.
What are tfsec and Pulumi used for?
tfsec: Security scanner for your Terraform code.. Pulumi: Infrastructure as code in any language.
What does tfsec cost vs Pulumi?
tfsec is completely free. Pulumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.