Microsoft Entra ID vs Pulumi: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Microsoft Entra ID positions itself as "microsoft entra id" while Pulumi goes after "infrastructure as code in python, typescript, go, and more" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Microsoft Entra ID charges per seat while Pulumi charges per resource — a meaningful difference for larger teams. Microsoft Entra ID (founded 2010) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Pulumi (2017) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Microsoft Entra ID | Pulumi | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 76/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Microsoft Entra ID | Infrastructure as code in Python, TypeScript, Go, and more |
Pricing comparison

Pulumi
Pricing verified 2026-04-16
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Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| SSO | Yes | No |
| MFA | Yes | No |
| Conditional Access | Yes | No |
| SCIM provisioning | Yes | No |
| Azure app integration | Yes | No |
| General-purpose language (TS/Python/Go) | No | Yes |
| State management | No | Yes |
| Diffs and previews | No | Yes |
| Stacks | No | Yes |
| Provider ecosystem | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Protection | Yes | No |
| Privileged Identity Management | Yes | No |
| Access reviews | Yes | No |
| Verified ID | Yes | No |
| Workload identity | Yes | No |
| Policy as code (OPA/CrossGuard) | No | Enterprise |
| Automation API | No | Yes |
| Pulumi AI | No | Yes |
| ESC (secrets) | No | Yes |
| Self-hosted backend | No | Enterprise |
integrations
| Feature | Microsoft Entra ID | Pulumi |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | Yes | No |
| Azure | Yes | Yes |
| Salesforce | Yes | No |
| AWS | Yes | Yes |
| Okta | Yes | No |
| GCP | No | Yes |
| Kubernetes | No | Yes |
| GitHub Actions | No | Yes |
| Terraform (import) | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Microsoft Entra ID means going without General-purpose language (TS/Python/Go), State management, Diffs and previews (which Pulumi offers). Choosing Pulumi means losing SSO, MFA, Conditional Access. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Pulumi (51-200 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Microsoft Entra ID (10000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Microsoft Entra ID if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Pulumi if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Entra ID or Pulumi better?
Microsoft Entra ID scores 84/100 compared to Pulumi's 76/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Microsoft Entra ID excels at ease of use (7/10) while Pulumi scores 7/10.
How much does Microsoft Entra ID cost compared to Pulumi?
Microsoft Entra ID starts at free (free tier available). Pulumi starts at free (free tier available). Microsoft Entra ID is the more affordable option.
Does Microsoft Entra ID or Pulumi have a free plan?
Yes, both Microsoft Entra ID and Pulumi offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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