Detailed comparison across 10 dimensions
Winner: Localstack
LocalStack clearly comes out ahead of AWS CDK on Staquest's weighted six-dimension score. Both offer a free tier. LocalStack's paid plans start at $27/mo.
| Overview |  AWS CDKDefine AWS infrastructure using familiar programming languages. | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | hybrid | saas tool |
| Company | Amazon Web Services | LocalStack GmbH |
| Free Tier | ||
| Has API | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Learning Curve | - | - |
| Integration | - | - |
| Trending | Stable | Stable |
| GitHub Stars | - | - |
| Industries | DevelopmentSaaS & Cloud | Development |
| Categories | devops | devops |
| Website | Visit | Visit |
Localstack
open source
freemium
per seat
per seat
custom
| Feature | aws-cdk | localstack |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Aws Cloudformation Template Generation | ||
| 110+ Emulated Services | ||
| Aws Construct Library (Pre-Written Modular Components) | ||
| 30+ Emulated Services | ||
| Cdk Cli For Synthesis And Deployment | ||
| 55+ Emulated Services | ||
| Infrastructure As Code (Iac) Using Modern Programming Languages | ||
| Additional Aws Regions | ||
| Open-Source Framework (Apache License 2.0) | ||
| Advanced Iam Policy Testing | ||
| Support For Typescript, Python, Java, C#, And Go | ||
| Advanced Tooling For Resiliency Testing | ||
| All Localstack For Aws Services & Features | ||
| Application Previews For Sandboxes (100 Mins/Workspace/Month) | ||
| Application Previews For Sandboxes (500 Mins/Workspace/Month) | ||
| Basic Iam Policy Enforcement | ||
| Basic Support | ||
| Cloud Storage For State Files (3 Gb/Workspace, Lifetime) | ||
| Cloud Storage For State Files (300 Mb/Workspace, Lifetime) | ||
| Custom Sso + Scim | ||
| Enterprise Support | ||
| Everything In Base | ||
| Everything In Hobby | ||
| Extensions Marketplace | ||
| Flexible Aws Emulator Deployment Options | ||
| Fully Offline / Air-Gapped Image Delivery Options | ||
| Govcloud | ||
| Integration: Vs Code | ||
| Kubernetes Delivery Option | ||
| Live Aws Resource Replicator |
Showing 30 of 30 features
Dashes mean the feature isn't listed in our data. The tool may still support it.
On Staquest's weighted six-dimension scoring, LocalStack comes out ahead overall, though AWS CDK can be the better fit depending on your priorities — see the dimension-by-dimension breakdown above.
Both AWS CDK and LocalStack offer a free tier.
AWS CDK scores higher on pricing value in Staquest's analysis. It is the highest-weighted dimension in this comparison.
