Vagrant vs Terraform: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Vagrant and Terraform 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:
Vagrant
Manage the lifecycle of virtual machines for consistent development environments.
Best for you if:
- • Manages virtual machine lifecycles via command line.
- • Creates reproducible and portable development environments.
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • The standard tool for infrastructure as code across any cloud
- • Declarative configuration with plan-apply workflow
| At a Glance |  Vagrant |  Terraform |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Automation | Automation |
Rating | —/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Vagrant | Terraform |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationInfrastructure as Code | AutomationCI/CD |
How Vagrant and Terraform Compare
Vagrant
Manage the lifecycle of virtual machines for consistent development environments.
Free tier available
Terraform
Infrastructure as code
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Vagrant
Want the highest-rated option?
Terraform scores 90/100. Vagrant is unrated.
Go with: Terraform
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Terraform
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are automation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Terraform
- Higher score: 90/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Vagrant
The Bottom Line
Terraform (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vagrant or Terraform better?
Terraform scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Vagrant and Terraform used for?
Vagrant: Manage the lifecycle of virtual machines for consistent development environments.. Terraform: Infrastructure as code.
What does Vagrant cost vs Terraform?
Vagrant is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Terraform is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.