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# AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager Comparison - What are their main differences?

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AWS CloudFormationGoogle Cloud Deployment...[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**AWS CloudFormation** [

4.4/5(214)

](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews#reviews)

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager** [

4.6/5(27)

](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**AWS CloudFormation**
No pricing available

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Free Trial

No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**AWS CloudFormation**
2 months

Based on 9 responses

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**AWS CloudFormation**
11 months

Based on 8 responses

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**AWS CloudFormation**
$$$$$

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**AWS CloudFormation**
11%

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**AWS CloudFormation**
[
Automation Efficiency (7)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1900404&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Infrastructure Automation (7)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1900480&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Template Complexity (6)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1900443&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Learning Difficulty (4)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1900019&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough data

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)

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.7

8.7158

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**

9.7

9.718

Ease of Use

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.0

8.0160

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**

9.4

9.418

Ease of Setup

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.3

8.395

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.3

8.378

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.6

8.6152

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**

9.2

9.215

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**AWS CloudFormation**

8.7

8.773

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**AWS CloudFormation**

9.3

9.3156

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager**

9.3

9.317

Features

Cloud Infrastructure Automation[Hide 11 FeaturesShow 11 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.7

86

Not enough data

Administration 

Administration Console

8.8(won by default)

72

Not enough data

Task Management

8.8(won by default)

65

Not enough data

Dashboards and Visualizations

8.6(won by default)

70

Not enough data

Access Control

9.0(won by default)

71

Not enough data

Automation

Test Automation

8.3(won by default)

63

Not enough data

Intelligent Automation

8.4(won by default)

63

Not enough data

Release Automation

8.5(won by default)

65

Not enough data

Automated Provisioning

8.9(won by default)

68

Not enough data

IT Management

Workflow Management

8.5(won by default)

68

Not enough data

Infrastructure Management

9.1(won by default)

72

Not enough data

IT Discovery

8.4(won by default)

63

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![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

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

16.5%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

40.4%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

43.1%

[![Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_9a5bc6fc788116d8da297be6121a60c9/google-cloud-deployment-manager.jpg "Google Cloud Deployment Manager")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews)

Google Cloud Deployment Manager

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

60.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

20.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

20.0%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

16.5%

60.0%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

40.4%

20.0%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

43.1%

20.0%

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%

[![Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_9a5bc6fc788116d8da297be6121a60c9/google-cloud-deployment-manager.jpg "Google Cloud Deployment Manager")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews)
Google Cloud Deployment Manager

Computer Software

12.0%

Information Technology and Services

12.0%

Internet

8.0%

Higher Education

8.0%

Banking

4.0%

Other

56.0%

FAQs

## AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment... FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment...?

Google Cloud Deployment Manager stands out for its higher G2 rating and stronger reviewer sentiment on ease of use, while AWS CloudFormation is more widely reviewed and favored for automation efficiency.

| [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) | [Google Cloud Deployment...](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (214 reviews) | 4.6/5 (27 reviews) |
| Enterprise | Small-Business |
| 8.3 | — |
| 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Automation Efficiency (7 all-time mentions) | — |

### How do the pricing models of AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment... compare?

Google Cloud Deployment Manager is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing.

- **AWS CloudFormation:** Reviewers note that AWS CloudFormation can be expensive for small companies or businesses, and some mention it is included as part of the AWS ecosystem, providing value by reducing manual work.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager:** Reviewers highlight the free $300 credit trial for first-time users and describe the platform as offering strong value, though some mention pricing for certain applications is higher compared to other providers.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention switching to Google Cloud Deployment Manager for its user-friendly admin panel and cost-saving features, especially for rapid server deployment without technician costs.

### What are the best alternatives to AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment...?

The top three alternatives to AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment Manager are Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform), and Azure Automation.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) | 4.4/5 (214 reviews) | Enterprise | Included as part of AWS ecosystem, value by reducing manual work | Automation Efficiency (7 all-time mentions) |
| [Google Cloud Deployment...](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) | 4.6/5 (27 reviews) | Small-Business | Free $300 credit trial, strong value for rapid deployment | User-friendly admin panel, rapid deployment |
| [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) | 4.6/5 (377 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) | 4.6/5 (110 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) | 4.5/5 (42 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |

### Which Cloud Infrastructure Automation features should I prioritize when comparing AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment...?

Buyers should prioritize automation efficiency, ease of use, integration support, template complexity, and quality of support when comparing AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment Manager.

- **Automation Efficiency:** AWS CloudFormation: 7 all-time mentions; Google Cloud Deployment Manager: rapid deployment cited in recent reviews.
- **Ease of Use:** AWS CloudFormation: 6 all-time mentions; Google Cloud Deployment Manager: 9.4 Ease of Use score.
- **Integration Support:** AWS CloudFormation: 2 all-time mentions; Google Cloud Deployment Manager: syncs with other Google apps cited in reviews.
- **Template Complexity:** AWS CloudFormation: 6 all-time mentions; Google Cloud Deployment Manager: reviewers highlight flexible and customizable templates.
- **Quality of Support:** AWS CloudFormation: 8.6 score; Google Cloud Deployment Manager: 9.2 score.

### What are the pros and cons of AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment...?

AWS CloudFormation's headline strength is automation efficiency, while Google Cloud Deployment Manager is praised for its user-friendly admin panel and rapid deployment.

- **AWS CloudFormation strengths:** Automation Efficiency (7 all-time mentions), Infrastructure Automation (7), Ease of Use (6), Efficiency (5), Customization (3), Deployment Ease (3), Easy Integrations (3), Setup Ease (3), Time-saving (3).
- **AWS CloudFormation trade-offs:** Template Complexity (6 all-time mentions), Learning Difficulty (4), Limited Cloud Support (4), Understanding Difficulty (3), Complex Setup (2), Difficult Customization (2).
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager strengths:** Reviewers highlight a user-friendly admin panel, rapid deployment, and flexible, customizable templates.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager trade-offs:** Reviewers note slower customer support response times and a lack of rollback mechanisms for failed deployments.

### Is AWS CloudFormation or Google Cloud Deployment... better for small businesses?

Google Cloud Deployment Manager is the better fit for small businesses, as it is most frequently reviewed by small-business users and praised for its ease of use and rapid deployment.

- **AWS CloudFormation:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers note a steep learning curve and higher cost for small companies.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight its user-friendly admin panel, rapid deployment, and suitability for small organizations.

### Which Cloud Infrastructure Automation platform has better integrations?

Reviewers favor AWS CloudFormation for integration support, with multiple mentions of integration with AWS services and programming languages.

- **AWS CloudFormation:** Integrates with AWS services like EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM, and supports integration with programming languages such as Python and JavaScript, with 3 all-time mentions for Easy Integrations and 2 for Integration Support.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager:** Reviewers mention syncing with other Google apps and products, but no all-time integration mention counts are supplied.

### How do AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment... compare on customer support?

Google Cloud Deployment Manager scores higher on Quality of Support, with a 0.6-point advantage over AWS CloudFormation.

- **AWS CloudFormation:** Reviewers describe support as helpful and documentation as comprehensive, though some mention a need for more resources and clearer error messages.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager:** Reviewers note professional customer support and a helpful knowledge base, but also mention slower response times and limited phone support.

### Which is easier to implement, AWS CloudFormation or Google Cloud Deployment...?

Both AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment Manager are rated highly for ease of setup, with reviewers describing straightforward implementation experiences.

- **AWS CloudFormation:** Reviewers frequently mention that setup is easy once familiar with the platform, though the initial learning curve can be steep for beginners.
- **Google Cloud Deployment Manager:** Reviewers highlight a user-friendly interface and rapid deployment, with setup described as intuitive and quick.

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)

 ![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)

 ![Progress Chef](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ecf6115c87d793bce9c4ac58796134b6/progress-chef.svg "Progress Chef")

[
Progress Chef
](/products/progress-chef/reviews)

 ![Puppet Enterprise](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/10618840af1bd30db712a98a285db11b/puppet-enterprise.svg "Puppet Enterprise")

[
Puppet
](/products/puppet-enterprise/reviews)

**Google Cloud Deployment Manager Alternatives**

 ![IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ee3589ca292451de15d3be359e6392cc/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform.svg "IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)")

[
IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)
](/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews)

 ![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)

 ![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)

 ![GitLab](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/2397ccd7309ef2bca71e3a275d59a5a3/gitlab.svg "GitLab")

[
GitLab
](/products/gitlab/reviews)

## AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager

- Reviewers felt that Google Cloud Deployment Manager meets the needs of their business better than AWS CloudFormation.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Google Cloud Deployment Manager is the preferred option.
- When assessing product direction, AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Deployment Manager received similar ratings from our reviewers.