AWS CloudFormation vs Puppet
AWS CloudFormation
aws.amazon.com
Puppet
puppet.comSide by side
| Figure | AWS CloudFormation | Puppet |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $120/mo |
| 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 | 5 |
| Spec score · IT Configuration Management Software | 9.1 (#1) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Spec score · Orchestration / Provisioning Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · Infrastructure Automation | 9.1 (#2) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2005 |
| Limit: learning curve | G2 and Capterra reviewers describe template syntax and initial setup as difficult for beginners. | Independent reviewers frequently describe Puppet’s Ruby-based language, setup and implementation as difficult for beginners. |
| Purpose | CloudFormation models, provisions, and manages related AWS and third-party resources as infrastructure as code. | Puppet Enterprise provides policy-driven configuration management and infrastructure automation for enterprise-scale environments. |
| Rating on Capterra | 4.5 out of 5 from 112 reviews | 4.4 out of 5 from 24 reviews |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 207 reviews | 4.2 out of 5 from 43 reviews |
| Rating on Gartner Peer Insights | 4.4 out of 5 from 110 ratings | 4.1 out of 5 from 47 ratings |
| Rating on TrustRadius | 8.1 out of 10 from 118 reviews and ratings | 8.5 out of 10 from 58 reviews and ratings |
| What it does | AWS CloudFormation models, provisions, and manages AWS resources from declarative templates. | Puppet Enterprise automates configuration, desired-state enforcement, deployment workflows and governance across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure. |
Plans
AWS CloudFormation
- AWS CloudFormationFree
- CloudFormation serviceFree
- Third-party resource providersFree
Puppet
- Puppet CoreFree
- Puppet Enterprise free trialFree
- Puppet Enterprise listing price$120 a month
- Puppet EnterprisePriced on request
- Puppet Enterprise AdvancedPriced 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.
Puppet
Puppet Enterprise provides policy-driven configuration management and infrastructure automation for complex cloud and hybrid environments. It uses policy as code to continuously enforce desired state, helping organizations identify and remediate configuration drift. Both agent-based and agentless management are supported, with a web interface and role-based access control. Puppet Enterprise Advanced adds continuous enforcement of CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs, self-service automation, AI features, observability integrations, and advanced patching. It also integrates with third-party vulnerability scanners, including Nessus, for remediation. Listed integrations include GitHub, AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, HashiCorp Vault, and ServiceNow. Agents are listed for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Puppet describes the product as suited to medium and large organizations managing complex environments that require security, compliance, and centralized automation. Pricing is custom; a free trial runs on up to 10 nodes with no commitment or time limit. Network and edge device management is optional, and licensing for those devices requires contacting sales.