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Chef Infra

chef.io

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Spec score 8.5 #16 of 77 in IT Automation Software

What it is

Chef Infra automates infrastructure configuration and helps keep systems aligned with a defined desired state. Teams express configurations and policies as code, test them, and deliver them through automated pipelines; Chef Infra can correct configuration drift when systems diverge. It supports Windows and Linux systems, cloud ARM systems, and Mac laptops across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments. Chef Infra Client includes more than 150 resources, while the community provides thousands of configuration templates. Chef Workstation bundles the client with Chef InSpec, Chef Habitat, Test Kitchen, Cookstyle, and Chef Upgrade Lab. The policy language is Ruby DSL, and listed capabilities include policy testing, reporting, and CI/CD integration. The free community version is non-commercial. Business costs $59 a year per node, and Enterprise costs $189 a year per node; Enterprise Plus requires a customized quote. Chef Infra Client 19.x is listed as the current LTS release, while 18.x is deprecated and earlier versions are end of life.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Chef Infra configuration management software automates infrastructure configuration and aims to keep it consistent and compliant over its lifetime.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Support
The pricing page lists standard support for Business and Enterprise and premium support for Enterprise Plus.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Headquarters
Burlington, Massachusetts, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · chef.io
Founded
1981Read 28 Sep 2026 · chef.io
Configuration resources
Chef Infra Client ships with more than 150 resources for common automation tasks, and the community provides thousands of configuration templates.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Drift correction
Chef Infra can automatically correct configuration drift when a system diverges from its defined desired state.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Free community version
Chef Downloads says open source users can download a free, non-commercial version from the community portal.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Free trial
Chef Downloads offers a guided Chef 360 trial, and the pricing page offers a trial request for Business.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Integration
Chef Automate can populate CMDB tools such as ServiceNow and export collected system data to other systems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Mixed fleets
The product page says teams can manage Windows and Linux systems, cloud ARM systems, and Mac laptops across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Policy as code
Chef lets teams define configurations and policies as code that can be tested, enforced, and delivered through automated pipelines.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Security controls
Chef says cookbooks can rotate keys, control SSH and WinRM port access, define authorized users and groups, and support alignment with CIS benchmarks and other standards.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Security process
Progress Chef describes responsible vulnerability disclosure and says its product QA includes software composition analysis, static application security testing, and dynamic application security testing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Version lifecycle
Chef Infra Client 19.x is listed as the current LTS release; version 18.x is deprecated and versions below 18 are listed as end of life.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.chef.io
Workstation tools
Chef Workstation includes Chef Infra Client, Chef InSpec, Chef Habitat, Test Kitchen, Cookstyle, and Chef Upgrade Lab.Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io

Plans and prices

Business $59 a year per node, per year 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 10 concurrent jobs · 30-day data retention · 30-day log retention Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Enterprise $189 a year per node, per year 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 10 concurrent jobs · 30-day data retention · 30-day log retention Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io
Enterprise Plus Priced on request Contact us for a customized quote. 50 concurrent jobs · 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 30-day data retention · premium support Read 4 Oct 2026 · chef.io

Every Chef Infra plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Automatically corrects configuration drift.
  • Supports Windows, Linux, cloud ARM, and Mac systems.
  • Client includes more than 150 automation resources.
  • Policy testing and CI/CD integration are listed.

Limits

  • Free community version is non-commercial.
  • Business costs $59 a year per node.
  • Enterprise costs $189 a year per node.
  • Enterprise Plus pricing requires a customized quote.

Who it suits

Chef Infra suits teams managing mixed operating-system fleets that want to define, test, and enforce configuration policies as code. The free community version is for non-commercial use; paid plans specify per-node annual pricing.

Verdict

Chef Infra combines policy-as-code workflows with drift correction across mixed fleets. Plan costs and the non-commercial restriction on the community version are important distinctions.

Where Specifiction places it

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