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AWS CDK vs Pulumi

Side-by-side comparison of AWS CDK and Pulumi. Data-driven analysis for CTOs and engineering leaders.

Technical Profile

AWS CDK

Scalability
very high
Performance
high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
stable
Languages: TypeScript, Python, Java, C#, Go

Pulumi

Scalability
very high
Performance
high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
stable
Languages: Go, TypeScript, Python

When to Use

AWS CDK

  • +AWS infrastructure
  • +Developer teams
  • +Pattern sharing

Avoid AWS CDK when

  • -Multi-cloud
  • -Non-AWS

Pulumi

  • +Developer-centric teams
  • +Complex infrastructure logic
  • +Type safety needed

Avoid Pulumi when

  • -Ops-centric teams preferring declarative
  • -Simple infrastructure

Compliance & Security

AWS CDK

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Pulumi

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Operations

AWS CDK

Maintenance
medium
Monitoring
medium
Backup/Recovery
moderate
Hosting: self-hosted

Pulumi

Maintenance
medium
Monitoring
medium
Backup/Recovery
moderate
Hosting: self-hosted, cloud

Frequently Asked Questions

How does scalability compare between AWS CDK and Pulumi?

AWS CDK offers very-high scalability, while Pulumi offers very-high scalability. Consider your expected traffic and data volume when choosing.

Which has the easier learning curve: AWS CDK or Pulumi?

AWS CDK has a moderate learning curve, while Pulumi has a moderate learning curve. Factor in your team's existing skills and onboarding timeline.

What are the pricing differences between AWS CDK and Pulumi?

AWS CDK uses a free pricing model with a free tier. Pulumi uses a freemium pricing model starting at Team: $50/month with a free tier. Evaluate total cost of ownership including operational overhead.

Which option is better for compliance: AWS CDK or Pulumi?

AWS CDK supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS. Pulumi supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS. Always verify current certifications directly with the vendor.

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