Pulumi vs SST
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Pulumi and SST are credible infrastructure as code tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Pulumi - IaC in real programming languages.
SST - Deploy full-stack apps to your own cloud
Pulumi vs SST: side by side
| Dimension | Pulumi | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free - $40/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Platform Teams, Developers | Developers, Startups |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, API | Self Hosted, API |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Pulumi key facts
- Vendor
- Pulumi
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $40/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, API
- Best for
- Platform Teams, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Seattle, WA, USA
SST key facts
- Vendor
- SST
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Self Hosted, API
- Best for
- Developers, Startups
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Pulumi better than SST?
Neither is universally better - Pulumi edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Pulumi or SST cheaper?
Pulumi is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $40/mo. Pulumi starts at free - $40/mo; SST starts at free.
Can Pulumi replace SST?
Yes for most teams - both are infrastructure as code tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.