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Serverless Framework vs Terragrunt

Serverless Framework logo

Serverless Framework

Cloud

Build and deploy serverless applications on AWS Lambda

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Terragrunt logo

Terragrunt

Cloud

The Open Source IaC Orchestrator Platform Teams Trust

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; Terragrunt additional complexity layer on top of Terraform
  • They diverge on capability: Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, Terragrunt covers Infrastructure orchestration.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Serverless Framework and Terragrunt differ
AttributeServerless FrameworkTerragrunt
PlatformsAWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormationAWS, Azure, GCP

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 Terragrunt

  • Infrastructure orchestration
  • Run Queue
  • DRY configuration
  • Automated hooks
  • Infrastructure catalog
  • Least-privilege access

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 Terragrunt
  • Building event-driven applications with serverless functionsnot Terragrunt
  • Managing multi-language serverless projectsnot Terragrunt

Terragrunt

  • Organizing Terraform code across multiple environmentsnot Serverless Framework
  • Automating infrastructure deployment workflowsnot Serverless Framework
  • Implementing infrastructure as code templates for developer self-servicenot 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

Terragrunt

  • Additional complexity layer on top of Terraform
  • Requires understanding of Terraform concepts
  • Paid tier pricing not clearly published

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

Terragrunt

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Terragrunt CLI - completely free
    • Community support
  • Terragrunt Scale FreeFree
    • Free CI/CD pipeline
    • Unlimited runs and resources
    • For up to 25 infrastructure units
  • Terragrunt Scale Paid$undefined/custom
    • Volume pricing for more than 25 infrastructure units
    • Enterprise support

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 Terragrunt if

  • You need infrastructure orchestration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS, Azure, GCP.
  • You also want run queue.
Terragrunt review

Questions people ask

Is Serverless Framework or Terragrunt better?
Neither clearly leads. Serverless Framework starts at Free and Terragrunt at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Serverless Framework or Terragrunt?
Serverless Framework starts at Free and Terragrunt at Free.
Does Serverless Framework or Terragrunt run on more platforms?
Serverless Framework runs on AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation. Terragrunt runs on AWS, Azure, GCP.
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 Terragrunt is typically brought in for.
What can Serverless Framework do that Terragrunt cannot?
Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, Single command deployment, Extensible plugin ecosystem, Multi-language support. Terragrunt covers Infrastructure orchestration, Run Queue, DRY configuration, Automated hooks.

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
Terragrunt: Is Terragrunt free?

Yes, the Terragrunt CLI is completely free and open source. Terragrunt Scale offers a free tier for up to 25 infrastructure units.

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
Terragrunt: What is the difference between Terragrunt and Terraform?

Terragrunt is an orchestration layer on top of Terraform that handles state management, DRY principles, and deployment automation without replacing Terraform itself.

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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