Link copied to clipboard # AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation/azure-resource-manager/export.csv) AWS CloudFormationAzure Resource Manager[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **AWS CloudFormation** **Custom Quote Available** · Custom **Azure Resource Manager** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Perceived Cost **AWS CloudFormation** $$$$$ **Azure Resource Manager** $$$$$ Average Discount **AWS CloudFormation** 11% **Azure Resource Manager** Not enough reviews yet Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience. See it for free Time to Implement **AWS CloudFormation** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Azure Resource Manager** 6 months Based on 100 responses Return on Investment **AWS CloudFormation** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Azure Resource Manager** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Pros & Cons** from reviews **AWS CloudFormation** Automation Efficiency (7) Infrastructure Automation (7) Template Complexity (6) Learning Difficulty (4) **Azure Resource Manager** Automation Efficiency (1) Code Management (1) Automation Issues (1) Complexity (1) Integrations **AWS CloudFormation** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-aurora.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon Aurora ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_60aac666d195c0d09550cae54c454856/amazon-documentdb.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon DocumentDB ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-documentdb/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_764bdd3b0bc81b470d93f18d12c826d2/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb.png "Product Avatar Image") Amazon DynamoDB ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cacdec8b8edeace9b3c89e0c2cded695/amazon-elastic-container-service-amazon-ecs.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon Elastic Container... ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-elastic-container-service-amazon-ecs/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/integrations) **Azure Resource Manager** Not enough data **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **AWS CloudFormation** **8.7** /10 Based on 158 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **8.3** /10 Based on 30 responses Ease of Use **AWS CloudFormation** **8.0** /10 Based on 160 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **7.7** /10 Based on 31 responses Ease of Setup **AWS CloudFormation** **8.3** /10 Based on 95 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **7.3** /10 Based on 17 responses Ease of Admin **AWS CloudFormation** **8.3** /10 Based on 78 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **7.5** /10 Based on 17 responses Quality of Support **AWS CloudFormation** **8.6** /10 Based on 152 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **8.4** /10 Based on 31 responses Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **AWS CloudFormation** **8.7** /10 Based on 73 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **8.7** /10 Based on 17 responses Product Direction (% positive) **AWS CloudFormation** **9.3** /10 Based on 156 responses **Azure Resource Manager** **7.9** /10 Based on 28 responses **Features** ratings from reviews Cloud Infrastructure Automation **8.7** /10 Based on 86 responses **7.9** /10 Based on 33 responses User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 16.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 40.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 43.1% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 16.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 40.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 43.1% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 34.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 25.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 40.0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 34.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 25.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 40.0% **Reviewers' Industry** [![AWS CloudFormation](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1534868801/aws-aws-cloudformation.svg "AWS CloudFormation")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) AWS CloudFormation Information Technology and Services 26.7% Computer Software 24.6% Computer & Network Security 4.8% Financial Services 4.3% Hospital & Health Care 2.7% Other 36.9% [![Azure Resource Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-resource-manager.jpg "Azure Resource Manager")](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-resource-manager/reviews) Azure Resource Manager Computer Software 17.1% Information Technology and Services 17.1% Computer & Network Security 8.6% Management Consulting 5.7% Education Management 5.7% Other 45.7% Alternatives **AWS CloudFormation Alternatives** ![Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7b1e34d1cfcc265beee0d9b4290461fa/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform.jpg "Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform") [ Red Hat Ansible Automation... ](/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) ![Progress Chef](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ecf6115c87d793bce9c4ac58796134b6/progress-chef.svg "Progress Chef") [ Progress Chef ](/products/progress-chef/reviews) ![Jenkins](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_816e7e27d5ac09363053c4ca43e63c5c/jenkins.png "Jenkins") [ Jenkins ](/products/jenkins/reviews) ![Azure Automation](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-automation.jpg "Azure Automation") [ Azure Automation ](/products/azure-automation/reviews) **Azure Resource Manager Alternatives** ![Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7b1e34d1cfcc265beee0d9b4290461fa/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform.jpg "Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform") [ Red Hat Ansible Automation... ](/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) ![GitLab](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/2397ccd7309ef2bca71e3a275d59a5a3/gitlab.svg "GitLab") [ GitLab ](/products/gitlab/reviews) ![GitHub](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8ec3c17e3fb1df25b6a8bd7cc69cf2d1/github.png "GitHub") [ GitHub ](/products/github/reviews) ![VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/69fdc58a6d585f2641bfcfb9c516d559/vmware-cloud-foundation.svg "VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)") [ VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) ](/products/vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf/reviews) ## AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: November 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager? AWS CloudFormation leads Azure Resource Manager in G2 rating, setup, support, and administration, while both products are most commonly reviewed by enterprise organizations. | Dimension | [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) | [Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-resource-manager/reviews) | | --- | --- | --- | | G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.4/5 (200+ reviews) | 4.2/5 (50+ reviews) | | Largest Segment | Enterprise | Enterprise | | Ease of Setup score | 8.3/10 | 7.3/10 | | Quality of Support score | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Automation efficiency (7+ mentions) | Automation efficiency (fewer than 10 mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager compare? AWS CloudFormation has the stronger value signal, with a higher G2 Price/Cost satisfaction score than Azure Resource Manager. - **AWS CloudFormation:** In recent reviews, users describe it as included in the AWS ecosystem and value it for reducing manual work; one reviewer also cites no cost for using CloudFormation. - **Azure Resource Manager:** Recent reviewers value centralized resource management. - **Switching considerations:** Recent AWS reviewers mention Terraform and Pulumi as alternatives when they want additional features or broader cloud flexibility. ### What are the best alternatives to AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager? The top alternatives to AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager are Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, Google Cloud Deployment Manager, and Azure Automation. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) | 4.4/5 (200+ reviews) | Enterprise | Automation efficiency (7+ mentions) | | [Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-resource-manager/reviews) | 4.2/5 (50+ reviews) | Enterprise | Automation efficiency (fewer than 10 mentions) | | [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) | 4.6/5 (300+ reviews) | Enterprise | — | | [Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) | 4.6/5 (20+ reviews) | Small-Business | — | | [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) | 4.5/5 (40+ reviews) | Enterprise | — | ### Which Cloud Infrastructure Automation features should I prioritize when comparing AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager? Prioritize deployment automation, template complexity, cloud-provider fit, ease of administration, and integration with your existing cloud ecosystem for AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager. - **Deployment automation:** AWS CloudFormation has 7+ all-time mentions for automation efficiency and 7+ for infrastructure automation; Azure Resource Manager has fewer than 10 mentions for automation efficiency. Recent reviewers of both describe repeatable, template-based provisioning. - **Template complexity and learning:** AWS CloudFormation has 6+ mentions of template complexity and 4+ of learning difficulty. Recent reviewers of both products cite a learning curve and template-authoring complexity. - **Cloud-provider fit:** AWS CloudFormation has 4+ mentions of limited cloud support. Recent reviewers describe both products as tied to their respective cloud ecosystems and note the lack of multi-cloud support. - **Administration:** AWS CloudFormation scores 8.3/10 for Ease of Admin, compared with 7.5/10 for Azure Resource Manager. - **Integrations:** AWS CloudFormation has 3+ all-time mentions of easy integrations; recent reviewers cite AWS services and CI/CD pipelines. Azure Resource Manager reviewers cite Azure Automation, Azure DevOps, CLI, and PowerShell. ### What are the pros and cons of AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager? AWS CloudFormation’s headline strength is reusable, automated AWS infrastructure provisioning; Azure Resource Manager’s is organized Azure resource management with integrated governance and access controls. - **AWS CloudFormation strengths:** Reviewers praise repeatable deployments, reduced manual configuration, and AWS-service integration. Automation efficiency and infrastructure automation each have 7+ all-time mentions. - **AWS CloudFormation trade-offs:** Template complexity has 6+ mentions, learning difficulty 4+, and limited cloud support 4+. Recent reviewers also describe debugging complex stacks as challenging. - **Azure Resource Manager strengths:** Recent reviewers highlight resource groups, centralized management, Azure RBAC, and integration with Azure Automation and Azure DevOps. Reviewers also value reusable templates for consistent deployments. - **Azure Resource Manager trade-offs:** Recent reviewers cite JSON template complexity, a learning curve, and deployment troubleshooting when error messages lack detail. Reviewers also note limited multi-cloud support. ### Is AWS CloudFormation or Azure Resource Manager better for small businesses? AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager are equally aligned with small businesses by reviewer segment, and AWS CloudFormation has the stronger small-business value signal in recent reviews. - **AWS CloudFormation:** The largest reviewer segment is Enterprise; no segment share is supplied. Recent reviewers describe reduced manual effort and consistent deployments as valuable, while one reviewer says it can be expensive for small businesses. - **Azure Resource Manager:** The largest reviewer segment is Enterprise; no segment share is supplied. Recent reviewers value centralized resource management. ### Which Cloud Infrastructure Automation platform has better integrations? AWS CloudFormation has the stronger integration signal, with 3+ all-time mentions of easy integrations compared with fewer than 10 integration-support mentions for Azure Resource Manager. - **AWS CloudFormation:** Recent reviewers cite integration with AWS services including EC2, S3, and Lambda, and describe CI/CD pipeline connections. Easy integrations has 3+ all-time mentions. - **Azure Resource Manager:** Recent reviewers cite Azure Automation and Azure DevOps, alongside access through Azure CLI and PowerShell. Integration support has fewer than 10 all-time mentions. ### How do AWS CloudFormation and Azure Resource Manager compare on customer support? AWS CloudFormation scores 8.6/10 for Quality of Support and Azure Resource Manager scores 8.4/10, a 0.2-point advantage for AWS CloudFormation. - **AWS CloudFormation:** Recent reviewers describe official documentation and support as helpful, and one reviewer praises customer support. Others call for clearer guidance and more training resources. - **Azure Resource Manager:** Recent reviewers describe reaching customer support for help as straightforward. Older reviewers also cite responsive support experiences. ### Which is easier to implement, AWS CloudFormation or Azure Resource Manager? AWS CloudFormation is easier to implement, scoring 8.3/10 for Ease of Setup versus 7.3/10 for Azure Resource Manager, a 1.0-point advantage. - **AWS CloudFormation:** Recent reviewers describe straightforward initial configuration and reusable templates, while noting that complex templates, YAML or JSON syntax, and stack troubleshooting require learning and technical expertise. - **Azure Resource Manager:** Recent reviewers value reusable templates and multiple management interfaces, but describe JSON authoring and parametrization as complex and time-consuming, particularly for beginners. ## AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found AWS CloudFormation easier to use, set up, and administer. However, reviewers felt that both vendors make it equally easy to do business overall. - Reviewers felt that AWS CloudFormation meets the needs of their business better than Azure Resource Manager. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that AWS CloudFormation is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of AWS CloudFormation over Azure Resource Manager.