AWS CloudFormation vs CFEngine
AWS CloudFormation
aws.amazon.com
CFEngine
cfengine.comSide by side
| Figure | AWS CloudFormation | CFEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 3 |
| Spec score · IT Configuration Management Software | 9.1 (#1) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Spec score · Orchestration / Provisioning Software | 9.1 (#2) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Spec score · Infrastructure Automation | 9.1 (#2) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 |
| Limit: learning curve | G2 and Capterra reviewers describe template syntax and initial setup as difficult for beginners. | UpGuard identifies CFEngine's specialized language and operating-system nuances as producing a steep learning curve. |
| Purpose | CloudFormation models, provisions, and manages related AWS and third-party resources as infrastructure as code. | CFEngine automates infrastructure, security and compliance by continuously keeping infrastructure secure, compliant and up to date. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 207 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 2 reviews |
| Rating on Gartner Peer Insights | 4.4 out of 5 from 110 ratings | 4.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews |
| Rating on TrustRadius | 8.1 out of 10 from 118 reviews and ratings | 9 out of 10 from 3 reviews |
| Security model | AWS documents CloudFormation security through shared responsibility, IAM access control, CloudTrail logging, data protection, resilience, and compliance guidance. | Agents retain veto power over policy changes, continue operating during communication failures and use safe default access rules. |
| What it does | AWS CloudFormation models, provisions, and manages AWS resources from declarative templates. | CFEngine automates configuration, patching, security hardening, compliance and infrastructure maintenance through continuously running agents. |
Plans
AWS CloudFormation
- AWS CloudFormationFree
- CloudFormation serviceFree
- Third-party resource providersFree
CFEngine
- Community EditionFree
- Enterprise free trialFree
- Enterprise EditionPriced on request
In their own words
AWS CloudFormation
AWS CloudFormation models, provisions, and manages related AWS and third-party resources as infrastructure as code. YAML or JSON templates define AWS resources and their properties. StackSets deploy a common set of resources across multiple AWS accounts and Regions; Change Sets preview proposed stack updates, including possible deletion or replacement, and Drift Detection tracks changes made outside the service. For authoring, AWS CDK supports TypeScript, Python, Java, and .NET, while AWS SAM offers shorthand YAML for serverless resources that is converted during deployment. The CloudFormation Registry supports third-party resources and modules, and stacks can be updated from remote Git repositories. The service is available through API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and manages state. CloudFormation itself has a free plan, with no additional charge for AWS and Alexa resource providers, but created AWS resources are billed at their standard rates. Third-party provider and custom hook operations may also incur charges. Access can be managed with IAM, and CloudTrail logs API calls.
CFEngine
CFEngine automates infrastructure, security, and compliance by moving managed systems toward a state defined in policy. Users describe desired infrastructure states in CFEngine’s domain-specific language, and lightweight agents work to bring each device into compliance. By default, an agent contacts the CFEngine hub every five minutes. The system runs on embedded devices, servers, cloud systems, and mainframes, and is designed for tens or hundreds of thousands of nodes. Enterprise adds the Mission Portal web interface, reporting backed by an SQL database, REST APIs, compliance reports, policy analysis, alerts, inventory and change reporting, file-integrity monitoring, and performance monitoring. Dashboards provide compliance and performance views, alerts, and customizable sharing. Secure bootstrap uses mutual authentication, key exchange, and encrypted TLS communication. Community Edition is free under GNU GPL, supports Linux, and includes community support. Enterprise is free for up to 25 hosts; pricing beyond that is available on request. The supported operating systems listed include Linux distributions and Windows.