Best AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) Alternatives in 2026
The top AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) alternatives are Serverless Framework, Apache OpenWhisk and Spring Cloud Function: 15 serverless development frameworks our editors would look at instead of AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM), in our ranking order.
AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM): A free AWS-focused toolkit for defining, deploying, and locally debugging serverless apps. Where it falls short: supports AWS rather than serving as a general multi-cloud framework..
Switching from AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)? For most serverless development frameworks buyers the best AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) alternative is Serverless Framework, built for teams deploying AWS serverless apps with YAML.
Why People Look for an AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallServerless Framework9.2
Teams deploying AWS serverless apps with YAML
Visit Serverless Framework - Lowest priceServerless Framework9.2
Paid plans from $142/mo
Visit Serverless Framework - Best free optionServerless Framework9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Serverless Framework
All 15 AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forTeams deploying AWS serverless apps with YAML
- Better than AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM):
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.1
An open-source, YAML-driven AWS framework with optional hosted deployment and monitoring tools.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forTeams building portable event-driven functions
A portable, self-managed framework for event-driven functions, with Kubernetes and Docker support.
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Apache OpenWhisk -
Best forJava teams targeting several cloud function providers
An open-source Spring programming model for packaging and adapting Java functions across clouds.
- Local testing
- Application packaging
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forJava teams building cloud-native applications and functions
An open-source Java and Kotlin framework with Kubernetes tooling, not a serverless deployment workflow.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Quarkus -
Best forTeams deploying containerized functions on Kubernetes
A self-hosted, container-based serverless platform with broad Kubernetes targets and paid scale-to-zero.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit OpenFaaS -
Best forKubernetes teams needing scalable event-triggered functions
A self-hosted way to run event-triggered functions on Kubernetes, with automatic scaling.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Fission -
Best forTeams running containerized functions across environments
A self-hosted, container-native Functions-as-a-Service platform for deployment across environments.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Fn Project -
Best forTeams seeking Go or TypeScript cloud infrastructure
A Go and TypeScript backend platform that automates infrastructure, deployment, and observability.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Encore -
Best forTeams deploying functions across cloud providers
A multi-cloud serverless CLI with templates, YAML tools, and local debugging.
- Local testing
7.9/10★★★★☆Try Serverless Devs -
Best forTeams building backends for multiple cloud providers
An open-source framework for declaring, locally testing and deploying cloud backends across providers.
- Kubernetes support
- Local testing
- Application packaging
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Nitric -
Best forTeams deploying Next.js applications on AWS
Deploy Next.js to AWS with infrastructure defined in TypeScript and an optional Console.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit SST -
Best forSmall teams building AWS apps with a local simulator
Manifest-based AWS app development with local Lambda emulation and AWS deployment.
- Local testing
- Application packaging
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Architect -
Best forPython teams wanting a simple AWS Lambda workflow
A focused Python CLI for building, packaging, and deploying applications to AWS Lambda.
- Local testing
- Application packaging
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Chalice -
Best forJava teams adapting Micronaut functions to cloud providers
An open-source Micronaut option for building Java, Kotlin, and Groovy serverless functions.
- Local testing
- Application packaging
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Micronaut -
Best forTeams exploring code-first cloud infrastructure development
Wing brings application code and cloud infrastructure into one programming model.
- Local testing
7.2/10★★★★☆Explore Wing
AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)?
Serverless Framework: #1 in our Serverless Development Frameworks ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. An open-source, YAML-driven AWS framework with optional hosted deployment and monitoring tools.
Is there a free alternative to AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)?
Yes. Serverless Framework, Apache OpenWhisk, Spring Cloud Function, Quarkus and OpenFaaS have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Serverless Framework starts lowest, at $142/mo.
Why do people look for AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM).
How to Switch from AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM)
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM).
AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 1 | Serverless Framework | Yes | $142/mo | 9.2 |
| 2 | Apache OpenWhisk | Free | 8.8 | |
| 3 | Spring Cloud Function | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 4 | Quarkus | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 5 | OpenFaaS | Yes | $1,250/mo | 8.4 |
| 6 | Fission | Free | 8.2 | |
| 7 | Fn Project | Free | 8.1 | |
| 8 | Encore | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 9 | Serverless Devs | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 10 | Nitric | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 11 | SST | Yes | $0.03/unit usage-based | 7.7 |
| 12 | Architect | Yes | Free | 7.6 |
| 13 | AWS Chalice | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 14 | Micronaut Functions | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
| 15 | Wing | Yes | Free | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Serverless Framework
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Apache OpenWhisk
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Spring Cloud Function
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Quarkus
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs OpenFaaS
- AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) vs Fission
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update