Comparing Massdriver and Spacelift
Which Infrastructure Automation Tool is Right for You?
Spacelift is a CI/CD platform purpose-built for Infrastructure-as-Code. It automates runs of Terraform, OpenTofu, and Pulumi, adds policy-as-code using Open Policy Agent (OPA), and supports complex stack dependencies. If you’re managing dozens of Terraform projects across Git repos, Spacelift can give you better visibility and governance.
But Spacelift is still a code-first tool — it assumes developers are writing IaC, pushing to Git, and triggering pipelines. For many teams, that still means long review cycles, tight DevOps bottlenecks, and a steep learning curve for less experienced engineers.
Massdriver takes a different path. It turns Terraform and Helm modules into visual building blocks, and gives developers a drag-and-drop interface to deploy infrastructure themselves. Platform teams maintain control through module publishing, but developers don’t need to understand IaC syntax, CI systems, or cloud provider nuances.
Key Differences
-
Developer self-service
Spacelift is best suited for DevOps teams or infra-savvy developers. It doesn't provide a simplified UI for provisioning — just a dashboard to manage plans and approvals. Massdriver was built for real developer self-service: developers assemble infrastructure visually, submit forms tied to real IaC modules, and deploy cloud-native environments themselves. -
UI and provisioning model
Spacelift wraps around your Git repos — it runs whatever Terraform or Pulumi code you commit. Massdriver doesn’t require users to touch Git. The UI is the interface — developers configure inputs through forms and diagrams, and Massdriver provisions the resources using pre-defined modules and pipelines. -
Policy enforcement
Spacelift shines at policy enforcement via OPA. You can define detailed guardrails (e.g., block untagged resources, enforce approvals for prod), but they act after the Terraform plan is written. Massdriver enforces policies up front. Inputs are validated before provisioning even begins, so invalid or non-compliant infrastructure simply can’t be requested. -
Environment lifecycle
Spacelift supports managing environments through stacks and Git branches. But for ephemeral or preview environments, you’ll need custom scripting and API integration. Massdriver includes native preview environments, automatically spinning up full stacks per pull request and cleaning them up afterward — no extra work required.
| Feature | Massdriver | Spacelift |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Provisioning | Runs IaC behind a visual diagram interface | Executes IaC via Git-based pipelines |
| Developer Interface | Visual UI with form inputs | Code-focused (no diagram, no portal) |
| Self-Service | Drag-and-drop full environments | Via Git merges, requires Terraform familiarity |
| Guardrails | Enforced at input (can't request invalid configs) | OPA policies block violations post-plan |
| Environment Management | Built-in preview envs with auto teardown | Manual or scripted stack creation for envs |
| Platform Team Effort | One-time bundle setup, minimal maintenance | Must manage repos, policies, and stack relationships |
| IaC Required for Devs? | No -- developers use bundles visually | Yes -- developers write and commit Terraform |
Bottom Line
Spacelift is a great choice if you want to supercharge your existing Terraform pipeline. Massdriver replaces the pipeline entirely — with a visual, guardrailed platform that gives developers safe, instant access to infrastructure.
