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Cloud · head to head

Serverless Framework vs SST

Serverless Framework logo

Serverless Framework

Cloud

Build and deploy serverless applications on AWS Lambda

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SST logo

SST

Cloud

Build full-stack apps on your own infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Serverless Framework exclusive to AWS Lambda - no support for other cloud providers; SST primarily optimized for AWS with Cloudflare support
  • They diverge on capability: Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, SST covers Single config file.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Serverless Framework and SST actually diverge.

Attributes where Serverless Framework and SST differ
AttributeServerless FrameworkSST
PlatformsAWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormationAWS, Cloudflare, Node.js

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cloud).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Serverless Framework

  • YAML configuration
  • Single command deployment
  • Extensible plugin ecosystem
  • Multi-language support
  • Unified dashboard
  • Built-in metrics and alerts

Only in SST

  • Single config file
  • Resource linking
  • Local development
  • Multi-cloud support
  • Multiple deployment stages
  • VPC tunneling

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Serverless Framework

  • Deploying APIs and microservices to AWS Lambdanot SST
  • Building event-driven applications with serverless functionsnot SST
  • Managing multi-language serverless projectsnot SST

SST

  • Deploying Next.js frontends with serverless backendsnot Serverless Framework
  • Managing databases and storage alongside application codenot Serverless Framework
  • Creating staging environments for feature testingnot Serverless Framework

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Serverless Framework

  • Exclusive to AWS Lambda - no support for other cloud providers
  • Paid tier requires credit system that can be confusing for budgeting
  • Plugin ecosystem quality varies significantly

SST

  • Primarily optimized for AWS with Cloudflare support
  • Learning curve for developers unfamiliar with infrastructure concepts
  • Limited documentation for some advanced use cases

Pricing, plan by plan

Serverless Framework

Free
  • FreeFree
    • For organizations with under $2M annual revenue
    • All Framework features included
  • Pay-As-You-Go$4/credit
    • 1 credit = 1 Service Instance or 50K Traces or 4M Metrics
    • Standard rate for larger organizations
  • Reserved Credits$1/credit
    • Discounts up to 74% off (1-year), 77% off (2-year), 80% off (3-year)
    • Additional 10% off for upfront payment

SST

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SST review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Serverless Framework if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation.
  • You also want single command deployment.
Serverless Framework review

Choose SST if

  • You need single config file.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS, Cloudflare, Node.js.
  • You also want resource linking.
SST review

Questions people ask

Is Serverless Framework or SST better?
Neither clearly leads. Serverless Framework starts at Free and SST at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Serverless Framework or SST?
Serverless Framework starts at Free and SST at Free.
Does Serverless Framework or SST run on more platforms?
Serverless Framework runs on AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation. SST runs on AWS, Cloudflare, Node.js.
Can I use Serverless Framework for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Serverless Framework best used for?
Serverless Framework is most often used for deploying apis and microservices to aws lambda, building event-driven applications with serverless functions, managing multi-language serverless projects. Of those, deploying apis and microservices to aws lambda and building event-driven applications with serverless functions are not what SST is typically brought in for.
What can Serverless Framework do that SST cannot?
Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, Single command deployment, Extensible plugin ecosystem, Multi-language support. SST covers Single config file, Resource linking, Local development, Multi-cloud support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Serverless Framework: When do I have to pay for Serverless Framework?

The Serverless Framework CLI v4+ is free for organizations earning under $2 million annually. Organizations earning more must purchase credits at $4 per credit standard rate or reserved credits starting at $1 per credit with volume discounts.

Source
SST: Is SST free?

Yes, SST is open source and free. You only pay for cloud resources from AWS and other providers.

Source
Serverless Framework: What cloud providers does Serverless Framework support?

Serverless Framework is exclusive to AWS Lambda. It does not support other cloud providers like Azure or Google Cloud.

Source
SST: What cloud providers does SST support?

SST supports over 150 providers through built-in AWS and Cloudflare components, plus Pulumi and Terraform providers.

Source
Serverless Framework: What does one credit cover?

One credit equals 1 Service Instance, 50,000 Traces, or 4 Million Metrics.

Source
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