Pulumi vs AWS CDK: Real-Language IaC Compared
Both let you write infrastructure in real programming languages, but Pulumi is multi-cloud with its own engine while CDK synthesizes AWS CloudFormation.
Pulumi defines infrastructure in TypeScript, Python, Go, or C# across many clouds, using its own state and deployment engine. AWS CDK also uses real languages but synthesizes CloudFormation templates and deploys through AWS - so it is AWS-centric and inherits CloudFormation's behavior and limits.
| Pulumi | AWS CDK | |
|---|---|---|
| Clouds | Multi-cloud | AWS-focused |
| Engine | Pulumi engine + state | Synthesizes CloudFormation |
| Languages | TS, Python, Go, C#, Java | TS, Python, Java, Go, C# |
| State | Pulumi service or self-host | Managed by CloudFormation |
| Best for | Multi-cloud real-language IaC | AWS shops wanting code + CFN |
In CI
Both bring real-language abstractions - loops, functions, types - to IaC, which CI pipelines handle as normal builds. Pulumi spans clouds and runs its own deployment engine, so you manage Pulumi state. CDK is the natural choice for AWS-only teams that want code ergonomics but still rely on CloudFormation under the hood for state and rollback. Pick by cloud scope and whether you want the CloudFormation engine or Pulumi's.
Speed it up
Cache language dependencies (npm, pip) and run synth/preview and deploy in CI. The build and deploy run on CI runners; faster managed runners shorten them.
The verdict
Multi-cloud and want a language-native engine: Pulumi. AWS-focused and happy on CloudFormation underneath: AWS CDK. Both give real-language IaC - choose by cloud breadth and deployment engine.