AWS CDK vs Terraform vs Pulumi -- UK Infrastructure as Code (2026)
AWS CDK (TypeScript) is ClickMasters default for all UK regulated AWS infrastructure: same language as application code, CDK L3 constructs for reusable NHS DTAC and FCA PS21/3 compliance patterns, and the strongest CloudFormation change set audit trail for FCA PS21/3 change management. Terraform is right for multi-cloud or large existing Terraform codebases. Pulumi right when full programming language power is needed. IaC choice affects NHS DTAC Domain 3 infrastructure change audit trail, FCA PS21/3 IBS change management, and UK GDPR data residency enforcement.
| Factor | AWS CDK (TypeScript) | Terraform (HCL) | Pulumi (TypeScript) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS DTAC D3 infrastructure audit | BEST -- CloudFormation change set per PR (reviewed, approved, applied) | Terraform plan + apply -- PR-reviewable | Pulumi preview + up -- PR-reviewable |
| FCA PS21/3 change management | BEST -- CloudFormation change set = IBS change record, IBS-tagged resources | Terraform state drift detection | Pulumi state -- less mature audit trail |
| UK GDPR data residency enforcement | BEST -- CDK Stack with eu-west-2 constraint -- compile-time enforcement | HCL region = variable -- no compile-time | TypeScript -- can enforce via constructor |
| Shared types with application code | BEST -- TypeScript CDK uses same FHIR R4 and FCA types | HCL -- no shared types | BEST -- same TypeScript as app code |
| NHS DTAC L3 reusable constructs | BEST -- ClickMasters NHS DTAC CDK Construct Library | Terraform modules -- good | Pulumi ComponentResource -- good |
| Multi-cloud support | AWS-only (CDK for Terraform is a workaround) | BEST -- AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes | BEST -- all cloud providers |
| UK developer talent pool | BEST -- TypeScript CDK -- largest UK IaC community 2026 | Large -- historically dominant | Smaller -- growing |
| Cost of drift detection | CloudFormation drift detection (native) | BEST -- Terraform plan shows all drift | Pulumi refresh |
| ClickMasters default | All UK regulated AWS production infrastructure | Multi-cloud, non-AWS, large Terraform estates | Complex IaC needing full programming constructs |
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