AWS CloudFormation vs CDK8s

AWS CloudFormation plans

• AWS CloudFormationFree
• CloudFormation serviceFree
• Third-party resource providersFree

CDK8s plans

• Open-source cdk8sFree

Pick AWS CloudFormation if…

It suits teams managing AWS infrastructure as code, from individual instances to complex multi-Region applications, and automating infrastructure templates in CI/CD workflows. It can also suit users who need cross-account deployments or previews of proposed stack changes.

Pick CDK8s if…

It suits developers who want to define Kubernetes applications in familiar programming languages and reuse higher-level constructs. It is also relevant to teams that can handle manifest application as a separate deployment step.