diff --git a/docs/providers/aws/guide/deploying.md b/docs/providers/aws/guide/deploying.md
index f6afc4ba8..12adb3742 100644
--- a/docs/providers/aws/guide/deploying.md
+++ b/docs/providers/aws/guide/deploying.md
@@ -44,16 +44,14 @@ The Serverless Framework translates all syntax in `serverless.yml` to a single A
 
 ### Deployment method
 
-Since Serverless Framework v3, deployments are done using [CloudFormation change sets](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-changesets.html). It is possible to use [CloudFormation direct deployments](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-direct.html) instead.
+Since Serverless Framework v4, deployments are by default done using CloudFormation direct deployments](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-direct.html). This is the recommended approach for most users.
 
-Direct deployments **are faster** and have no downsides (unless you specifically use the generated change sets). They will become the default in Serverless Framework 4.
-
-You are encouraged to enable direct deployments via the `deploymentMethod` option:
+If you want to instead use [CloudFormation change sets](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-changesets.html), you can enable it via the `deploymentMethod` option:
 
 ```
 provider:
   name: aws
-  deploymentMethod: direct
+  deploymentMethod: changesets
 ```
 
 ### Tips
diff --git a/docs/providers/aws/guide/serverless.yml.md b/docs/providers/aws/guide/serverless.yml.md
index 5cae58385..74cba8a01 100644
--- a/docs/providers/aws/guide/serverless.yml.md
+++ b/docs/providers/aws/guide/serverless.yml.md
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ provider:
   # CloudFormation tags to apply to the stack. Optional.
   stackTags:
     key: value
-  # Method used for CloudFormation deployments: 'changesets' or 'direct'. Optional. (default: changesets)
+  # Method used for CloudFormation deployments: 'changesets' or 'direct'. Optional. (default: direct)
   # See https://www.serverless.com/framework/docs/providers/aws/guide/deploying#deployment-method
   deploymentMethod: direct
   # List of existing Amazon SNS topics in the same region where notifications about stack events are sent. Optional.
diff --git a/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/create-stack.js b/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/create-stack.js
index d724bc6c3..4dfab3069 100644
--- a/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/create-stack.js
+++ b/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/create-stack.js
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ export default {
     const stackName = this.provider.naming.getStackName()
     let monitorCfData
 
-    if (this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct') {
+    if (
+      !this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod ||
+      this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct'
+    ) {
       const params = this.getCreateStackParams({
         templateBody:
           this.serverless.service.provider.coreCloudFormationTemplate,
diff --git a/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/ensure-valid-bucket-exists.js b/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/ensure-valid-bucket-exists.js
index 8170f376d..0615a21a5 100644
--- a/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/ensure-valid-bucket-exists.js
+++ b/lib/plugins/aws/deploy/lib/ensure-valid-bucket-exists.js
@@ -120,7 +120,10 @@ export default {
 
     let monitorCfData
 
-    if (this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct') {
+    if (
+      !this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod ||
+      this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct'
+    ) {
       const params = this.getUpdateStackParams({ templateBody })
 
       monitorCfData = await this.provider.request(
@@ -129,6 +132,7 @@ export default {
         params,
       )
     } else {
+      // Change-set based deployment
       const createChangeSetParams = this.getCreateChangeSetParams({
         changeSetType: 'UPDATE',
         templateBody,
diff --git a/lib/plugins/aws/lib/update-stack.js b/lib/plugins/aws/lib/update-stack.js
index 35d23de52..c58ead9f6 100644
--- a/lib/plugins/aws/lib/update-stack.js
+++ b/lib/plugins/aws/lib/update-stack.js
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ export default {
     const templateUrl = `https://${s3Endpoint}/${this.bucketName}/${this.serverless.service.package.artifactDirectoryName}/${compiledTemplateFileName}`
 
     let monitorCfData
-    if (this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct') {
+    if (
+      !this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod ||
+      this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct'
+    ) {
       const params = this.getCreateStackParams({
         templateUrl,
       })
@@ -30,6 +33,7 @@ export default {
         params,
       )
     } else {
+      // Change-set based deployment
       const changeSetName = this.provider.naming.getStackChangeSetName()
 
       const createChangeSetParams = this.getCreateChangeSetParams({
@@ -88,7 +92,10 @@ export default {
     const stackName = this.provider.naming.getStackName()
 
     let monitorCfData
-    if (this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct') {
+    if (
+      !this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod ||
+      this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'direct'
+    ) {
       const params = this.getUpdateStackParams({ templateUrl })
 
       try {
@@ -104,6 +111,7 @@ export default {
         throw e
       }
     } else {
+      // Change-set based deployment
       const changeSetName = this.provider.naming.getStackChangeSetName()
 
       const createChangeSetParams = this.getCreateChangeSetParams({
@@ -162,8 +170,7 @@ export default {
     // as it might reference resources newly added in that change set.
     // Applied only for ChangeSet deployments which is a default method
     if (
-      (!this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod ||
-        this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'changesets') &&
+      this.serverless.service.provider.deploymentMethod === 'changesets' &&
       this.serverless.service.provider.stackPolicy &&
       Object.keys(this.serverless.service.provider.stackPolicy).length
     ) {