config.XO vs pyinfra

config.XO extends Microsoft PowerShell Desired State Configuration to manage Windows and Linux node configurations. It evaluates managed servers and clients against their intended state and corrects drift automatically. Teams can assign configurations to groups or individual hosts, create their own configurations and modules, or use a web wizard to build DSC configurations without writing code. It supports on-premises physical hosts and virtual machines, as well as internet-connected public-cloud virtual machines; proxy configuration is possible. Listed Windows versions are Server 2022, 2019 and 2016, plus Windows 11 and 10. Configuration runs can install packages through application.XO. The cloud service is agent-based and lists patch management, policy as code and compliance reporting alongside drift detection. Uploaded DSC configurations are encrypted with an XOAP-provided certificate, but user-uploaded compiled MOF files are not encrypted. XOAP says its service is hosted in Europe, is GDPR compliant, encrypts management connections and does not store actual user credentials. Free includes three managed systems; Standard is €449.00 per month or €4,999 billed annually.

pyinfra is a free, Python-native tool for automating infrastructure across servers. It connects over SSH to run commands concurrently and idempotently, using Python deploys and inventories. Operations can describe a desired host state or issue specific commands, and `--dry` previews per-host changes before applying them. The project says it works from one host to 10,000, with parallel execution and real-time output. Target machines need a shell and SSH, but no agent, daemon, state file, or control plane. Documented connectors include SSH, Docker, Terraform, and the local machine; operations cover package managers, files, services, databases, security, and containers. It runs wherever Python runs, with Mac, Linux, and Windows listed as control systems. Python 3.10 or later is required; pyinfra 3.5.1 and later supports Python 3.10 through 3.13. The software is MIT licensed. The installation guidance recommends keeping pyinfra and its dependencies current and installing as a regular user rather than as root or with sudo. Help is directed to Matrix and Stack Overflow, while bug reports go to GitHub issues.