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Head-to-head · Serverless Development Frameworks

AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Spring Cloud Function

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) #2 in Serverless Development Frameworks 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit AWS SAM
Spring Cloud Function #4 in Serverless Development Frameworks 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit site

AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) leads on 0 checks, Spring Cloud Function on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSpring Cloud Function · 2 of 4

AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) scores higher on our rubric for serverless development frameworks: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) is the better fit for AWS teams wanting templates and local debugging. Spring Cloud Function is the better fit for java teams targeting several cloud function providers.

  • AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) fits best

    AWS teams wanting templates and local debugging

  • Spring Cloud Function fits best

    Java teams targeting several cloud function providers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Spring Cloud Function 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #2 in Serverless Development Frameworks #4 in Serverless Development Frameworks
Best for AWS teams wanting templates and local debugging Java teams targeting several cloud function providers
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux, macOS, Windows Web
Integrations 4 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) 0/4 · Spring Cloud Function 2/4
Local testing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Application packaging Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Kubernetes support Not checked yet —
Deployment rollback Not checked yet —
Specs
Deployment targets Not checked yet Multi_cloud
Supported languages Not checked yet Java
Deployment model Not checked yet Cloud_functions
Our review
Pros
  • Defines AWS serverless resources in shorthand YAML templates.
  • Supports local Lambda invocation, testing, and debugging.
  • Builds, packages, deploys, syncs, and manages CI/CD pipelines.
  • Adapters target AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions
  • Supports imperative, reactive, and hybrid programming styles
  • Includes function composition, packaging, and local testing workflows
Cons
  • Supports AWS rather than serving as a general multi-cloud framework.
  • AWS resources deployed with SAM incur separate usage charges.
  • Its templates and deployment flow are centered on CloudFormation.
  • Centers on a programming model, not end-to-end infrastructure deployment
  • No documented Kubernetes deployment capability
  • No documented deployment rollback capability
Our verdict

AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) is an open-source framework and command-line interface for developers building serverless applications on AWS. Its shorthand YAML templates define resources such as functions, APIs, databases, and…

Read the review →

Spring Cloud Function is an open-source framework for implementing business logic as functions with the Spring programming model. It suits Java teams that want to keep function code separate from a specific runtime target and run it as a…

Read the review →
  1. AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)Serverless Development Frameworks 9.1Free plan
  2. Spring Cloud FunctionServerless Development Frameworks 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) — where it wins

    • Defines AWS serverless resources in shorthand YAML templates.
    • Supports local Lambda invocation, testing, and debugging.
    • Builds, packages, deploys, syncs, and manages CI/CD pipelines.

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports AWS rather than serving as a general multi-cloud framework.
    • AWS resources deployed with SAM incur separate usage charges.
    • Its templates and deployment flow are centered on CloudFormation.

  • Spring Cloud Function — where it wins

    • Adapters target AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions
    • Supports imperative, reactive, and hybrid programming styles
    • Includes function composition, packaging, and local testing workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Centers on a programming model, not end-to-end infrastructure deployment
    • No documented Kubernetes deployment capability
    • No documented deployment rollback capability
  • AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free AWS-focused toolkit for defining, deploying, and locally debugging serverless apps.

    Visit AWS SAMFull verdict →
  • Spring Cloud Function8.7/10 · Free plan

    An open-source Spring programming model for packaging and adapting Java functions across clouds.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All serverless development frameworks comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update