AWS CDK vs Pulumi(2026)
AWS CDK is better for teams that need real languages + aws native. Pulumi is the stronger choice if real programming languages. AWS CDK is open-source (from $0) and Pulumi is open-source (from $0).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
By Bikram Nath
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AWS CDK
AWS CDK lets developers define AWS infrastructure in TypeScript, Python, Java, or Go — synthesizing to CloudFormation templates under the hood with reusable constructs.
Starting at $0
Visit AWS CDKPulumi
Pulumi lets you define infrastructure using TypeScript, Python, Go, Java, or .NET — bringing the full power of programming languages (loops, functions, classes) to cloud infrastructure.
Starting at $0
Visit PulumiHow Do AWS CDK and Pulumi Compare on Features?
| Feature | AWS CDK | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | open-source |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |
| TypeScript/Python/Java/Go support | ✓ | — |
| Constructs (reusable patterns) | ✓ | — |
| CloudFormation backend | ✓ | — |
| L3 constructs (high-level) | ✓ | — |
| CDK Pipelines | ✓ | — |
| Testing (assertions) | ✓ | — |
| AWS-native | ✓ | — |
| TypeScript/Python/Go/.NET support | — | ✓ |
| Same providers as Terraform (via bridge) | — | ✓ |
| Pulumi Cloud (state + CI) | — | ✓ |
| Component model | — | ✓ |
| Testing support | — | ✓ |
| Policy as Code | — | ✓ |
| AI-assisted | — | ✓ |
AWS CDK Pros and Cons vs Pulumi
AWS CDK
Pulumi
Should You Use AWS CDK or Pulumi?
For most teams, AWS CDK is the better default: it offers real languages + aws native and is open-source (from $0). Choose Pulumi instead if real programming languages matters more than aws only. There is no universal winner — the right pick depends on your budget, team size, and whether you value real languages + aws native or real programming languages more.
Choose AWS CDK if…
- •Real languages + AWS native
- •L3 constructs hide complexity
- •Testing support
Choose Pulumi if…
- •Real programming languages
- •Strong TypeScript support
- •Better for complex logic