# Top 10 AWS CloudFormation Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 214 Explore the best alternatives to AWS CloudFormation for users who need new software features or want to try different solutions. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to AWS CloudFormation include templates. The best overall AWS CloudFormation alternative is Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Other similar apps like AWS CloudFormation are Google Cloud Deployment Manager, Azure Automation, Progress Chef, and Puppet Enterprise. AWS CloudFormation alternatives can be found in [Cloud Infrastructure Automation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) but may also be in [Configuration Management Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/configuration-management) or [Version Control Hosting Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/version-control-hosting). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to AWS CloudFormation - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) - [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) - [Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-chef/reviews) - [Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/puppet-enterprise/reviews) - [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) - [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf/reviews) - [Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-resource-manager/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to AWS CloudFormation Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how AWS CloudFormation stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Information Technology and Services, Financial Services, and Education Management, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) By Red Hat **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 377 Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform is a simple way to automate apps and infrastructure. Application Deployment + Configuration Management + Continuous Delivery. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform is: - Slower to reach roi - More usable - Easier to admin Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) **Compare Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform with other alternatives:** - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/puppet-enterprise-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) ### 2. [Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) By Google **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 27 Google Cloud Deployment Manager allows users to specify all the resources needed for their application in a declarative format using yaml. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Google Cloud Deployment Manager is: - More usable - Better at meeting requirements - Better at support Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) **Compare Google Cloud Deployment Manager with other alternatives:** - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-progress-chef) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) ### 3. [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) By Microsoft **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 42 Azure Automation delivers a cloud-based automation and configuration service that provides consistent management across your Azure and non-Azure environments. It consists of process automation, update management, and configuration features. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Azure Automation is: - Slower to reach roi - More usable - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-azure-automation) **Compare Azure Automation with other alternatives:** - [Azure Automation vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Azure Automation vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [Azure Automation vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-progress-chef) - [Azure Automation vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Azure Automation vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-gitlab) - [Azure Automation vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-github) - [Azure Automation vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [Azure Automation vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [Azure Automation vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-azure-resource-manager) ### 4. [Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-chef/reviews) By Progress Software **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 133 The Chef enterprise automation portfolio includes 4 workload aligned solutions: Infrastructure Management; Compliance Audit; Application Delivery; and Desktop Management, all solutions are built upon Chef open-source tools: Chef Infra, InSpec, Habitat, Workstation and Automate. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Progress Chef is: - Slower to reach roi - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-progress-chef) **Compare Progress Chef with other alternatives:** - [Progress Chef vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Progress Chef vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-progress-chef) - [Progress Chef vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-progress-chef) - [Progress Chef vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Progress Chef vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-progress-chef) - [Progress Chef vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-progress-chef) - [Progress Chef vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-progress-chef) - [Progress Chef vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [Progress Chef vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-progress-chef) ### 5. [Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/puppet-enterprise/reviews) By Perforce **Average Rating:** 4.2/5 **Total Reviews:** 43 Deliver and operate constantly modern software with the leading infrastructure-as-code platform. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Puppet Enterprise is: - Slower to reach roi - More expensive - Easier to do business with Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-puppet-enterprise) **Compare Puppet Enterprise with other alternatives:** - [Puppet Enterprise vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/puppet-enterprise-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Puppet Enterprise vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Puppet Enterprise vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/puppet-enterprise-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [Puppet Enterprise vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-puppet-enterprise) ### 6. [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) By GitLab Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 902 An open source web interface and source control platform based on Git. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, GitLab is: - Slower to reach roi - More usable - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-gitlab) **Compare GitLab with other alternatives:** - [GitLab vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [GitLab vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [GitLab vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-gitlab) - [GitLab vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-progress-chef) - [GitLab vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [GitLab vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-gitlab) - [GitLab vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [GitLab vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [GitLab vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-gitlab) ### 7. [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) By GitHub **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 2,399 GitHub is the best place to share code with friends, co-workers, classmates, and complete strangers. Over two million people use GitHub to build amazing things together. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, GitHub is: - Easier to set up - More usable - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-github) **Compare GitHub with other alternatives:** - [GitHub vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [GitHub vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [GitHub vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-github) - [GitHub vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-progress-chef) - [GitHub vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [GitHub vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-gitlab) - [GitHub vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [GitHub vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [GitHub vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-github) ### 8. [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) By HashiCorp **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 110 HashiCorp Terraform is a tool that collaborate on infrastructure changes to reduce errors and simplify recovery. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) is: - Easier to set up - More usable - Easier to admin Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) **Compare IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) with other alternatives:** - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-progress-chef) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform) vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) ### 9. [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf/reviews) By Broadcom **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 699 VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) provides the easiest way to deploy and run a hybrid cloud. VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) provides integrated cloud infrastructure (compute, storage, networking and security) and cloud management services to run enterprise applications in both private and public environments. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is: - Slower to reach roi - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) **Compare VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) with other alternatives:** - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-deployment-manager-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/progress-chef-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/puppet-enterprise-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gitlab-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/github-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) - [VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) ### 10. [Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-resource-manager/reviews) By Microsoft **Average Rating:** 4.2/5 **Total Reviews:** 50 Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is Microsoft's deployment and management service for Azure, providing a unified layer to create, update, and delete resources within your Azure account. It enables users to manage their infrastructure through declarative templates, ensuring consistent and repeatable deployments across various environments. By organizing resources into groups, ARM simplifies monitoring, access control, and billing, offering a streamlined approach to resource management. Key Features and Functionality: - Declarative Resource Deployment: Utilize ARM templates to define and deploy Azure resources in a consistent and repeatable manner, facilitating infrastructure as code practices. - Resource Grouping: Organize related resources into resource groups, allowing for collective management actions such as deployment, monitoring, and deletion. - Access Control: Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to manage permissions effectively, ensuring that only authorized users can perform specific actions on resources. - Tagging and Organization: Assign tags to resources for better categorization, aiding in cost management and operational oversight. - Consistent Management Layer: Interact with Azure resources through a consistent API, whether using the Azure portal, PowerShell, CLI, or REST APIs, ensuring uniformity across management tools. Primary Value and User Solutions: Azure Resource Manager addresses the complexities of cloud resource management by providing a centralized and consistent framework. It enhances operational efficiency by enabling infrastructure as code, which leads to faster deployments and easier scalability. The ability to group resources and apply access controls ensures better security and compliance. Additionally, ARM's tagging and organizational features simplify cost tracking and resource monitoring, empowering users to manage their Azure environments more effectively. Reviewers say compared to AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager is: - Slower to reach roi - Easier to do business with Categories in common with AWS CloudFormation: [Cloud Infrastructure Automation](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-infrastructure-automation) **Compare:** [AWS CloudFormation vs Azure Resource Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/aws-aws-cloudformation-vs-azure-resource-manager) **Compare Azure Resource Manager with other alternatives:** - [Azure Resource Manager vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) - [Azure Resource Manager vs Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-google-cloud-deployment-manager) - [Azure Resource Manager vs Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-automation-vs-azure-resource-manager) - [Azure Resource Manager vs Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-progress-chef) - [Azure Resource Manager vs Puppet Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-puppet-enterprise) - [Azure Resource Manager vs GitLab](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-gitlab) - [Azure Resource Manager vs GitHub](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-github) - [Azure Resource Manager vs IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform) - [Azure Resource Manager vs VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-resource-manager-vs-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf) --- ## AWS CloudFormation Alternatives FAQs ### How does AWS CloudFormation compare to Red Hat Ansible Automation...? According to G2 data, [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) holds an average rating of 4.4/5 from 213 reviews, while [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) leads with a 4.6/5 average rating across 377 reviews. Dimension scores reveal that Red Hat Ansible Automation is rated 0.2 points higher in Meeting Requirements (8.9 vs 8.7), 0.7 points higher in Usability (8.7 vs 8.0), and 0.5 points higher in Ease of Admin (8.8 vs 8.3). AWS CloudFormation scores slightly better in Ease of Setup by 0.1 points (8.3 vs 8.2) and Support by 0.3 points (8.6 vs 8.3), while Red Hat Ansible Automation is rated 0.1 points easier to do business with (8.8 vs 8.7). Sentiment analysis shows AWS CloudFormation is praised for automation efficiency (7 mentions), infrastructure automation (7 mentions), ease of use (6 mentions), and integration with AWS services. However, users report challenges with template complexity (6 mentions), limited cloud support (4 mentions), and a steep learning curve (4 mentions). Red Hat Ansible Automation is highly regarded for automation (46 mentions), automation efficiency (40 mentions), easy integrations (32 mentions), and user interface (17 mentions). Its cons include learning curve (13 mentions), complex setup (11 mentions), and navigation issues (7 mentions). In summary, [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) excels in usability, administration, and flexibility across hybrid environments, while [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) offers tighter AWS integration and slightly better support scores. Both tools have steep learning curves but serve different infrastructure automation needs effectively. ### What are the best alternatives to AWS CloudFormation? The best alternatives to AWS CloudFormation include [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 377 reviews), [Google Cloud Deployment Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-deployment-manager/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 27 reviews), [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 42 reviews), [Progress Chef](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-chef/reviews) (4.2/5 stars, 102 reviews), [Puppet](https://www.g2.com/products/puppet-enterprise/reviews) (4.2/5 stars, 43 reviews), [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 893 reviews), [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 2362 reviews), [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 109 reviews), [VMware Cloud Foundation](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-cloud-foundation/reviews) (4.4/5 stars, 643 reviews), and [Harness Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/harness-platform/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 281 reviews). These alternatives are rated highly for ease of administration, meeting requirements, usability, and integration capabilities compared to AWS CloudFormation's 4.4/5 stars from 213 reviews. ### What features do alternatives offer that AWS CloudFormation does not? Alternatives to AWS CloudFormation offer features such as multi-cloud and hybrid cloud support, reusable modular configurations, integrated CI/CD pipeline support, automation analytics, and enhanced user interfaces that AWS CloudFormation lacks or has limited capabilities in. For example, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform provides hybrid cloud interoperability and automation analytics; IBM Terraform supports multi-cloud environments with reusable modules and plan/apply workflows; and Harness Platform integrates AI-assisted continuous delivery with feature flags and automated rollback. ### Which Cloud Infrastructure Automation tools do reviewers recommend instead of AWS CloudFormation? Reviewers recommend alternatives such as [IBM Terraform](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) for its easier administration, better requirement fulfillment, and usability. [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) is favored for its hybrid cloud readiness and automation analytics. [Harness Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/harness-platform/reviews) is recommended for its AI-assisted continuous delivery, ease of setup, and support. [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) and [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) are preferred for their integrated CI/CD pipelines, collaboration features, and ease of use. [Azure Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-automation/reviews) is noted for its usability and hybrid environment support. These tools provide enhanced automation efficiency, multi-cloud support, and improved user experience compared to AWS CloudFormation. ### Why do users choose Red Hat Ansible Automation... over AWS CloudFormation? Users choose [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) over [AWS CloudFormation](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-aws-cloudformation/reviews) primarily for its superior usability and administration capabilities, reflected in its 0.7-point higher Usability score (8.7 vs 8.0) and 0.5-point higher Ease of Admin score (8.8 vs 8.3). With 46 mentions praising its automation and 40 highlighting automation efficiency, users appreciate its agentless architecture and ability to automate complex IT tasks across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Additionally, Red Hat Ansible Automation's easy integrations (32 mentions) and user-friendly interface (17 mentions) facilitate collaboration and workflow automation, making it ideal for scaling automation securely and efficiently. Users also value its centralized Automation Controller with role-based access control and visual dashboards, which enhance governance and operational stability. Despite a learning curve noted by 13 reviewers and some complexity in setup, users favor Red Hat Ansible Automation for its flexibility, extensive integrations, and ability to reduce manual repetitive tasks across diverse environments, which outweigh concerns about cost or initial complexity. 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