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Chef Infra

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Chef Infra's own site

What Chef Infra is

Chef Infra is configuration management software for defining infrastructure in code and keeping systems aligned with a desired state. Teams can test and deliver configurations and policies through automated pipelines, while Chef Infra can correct configuration drift automatically. It supports Windows and Linux systems, cloud ARM systems and Mac laptops across on-premises, cloud and edge environments. Chef Infra Client includes more than 150 resources for common automation tasks, and community members provide thousands of configuration templates. Chef Workstation bundles the client with Chef InSpec, Chef Habitat, Test Kitchen, Cookstyle and Chef Upgrade Lab. Cookbooks can manage keys, SSH and WinRM access, authorized users and groups, and alignment with security benchmarks. Chef Automate can populate CMDB tools such as ServiceNow and export system data to other systems. The policy language is Ruby DSL, with policy testing, reporting and CI/CD integration. A free, non-commercial community version is available. Chef Infra Client 19.x is listed as the current LTS release; 18.x is deprecated and versions below 18 are end of life.

Who it suits

Chef Infra suits teams managing Windows, Linux and Mac systems across on-premises, cloud and edge environments. It is also aimed at teams that want to define infrastructure policy as code and correct configuration drift automatically.

What it does well

  • Automatically corrects configuration drift.
  • Supports Windows, Linux and Mac fleets.
  • Client includes more than 150 resources.
  • Policy testing and CI/CD integration are listed.
  • Free non-commercial community version is available.

What to know first

  • Community version is non-commercial.
  • Chef Infra Client 18.x is deprecated.
  • Versions below 18 are end of life.

Limits

The free community version is for non-commercial use. The lowest listed paid plan, Business, costs $59 a year per node and includes 10 pooled monthly job runs per node, 10 concurrent jobs, 30-day data retention, and 30-day log retention.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Enterpriseper node, per year · 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 10 concurrent jobs · 30-day data retention · 30-day log retention$189 a year
Businessper node, per year · 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 10 concurrent jobs · 30-day data retention · 30-day log retention$59 a year
Enterprise PlusContact us for a customized quote. · 50 concurrent jobs · 10 pooled monthly job runs per node · 30-day data retention · premium supportOn request

As chef.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://www.chef.io/products/chef-infra.
  2. For non-commercial use, download the free community version from the community portal.
  3. Choose a paid plan if you need the listed Business, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus terms.
  4. Use Chef Workstation, which includes Chef Infra Client and the listed companion tools.

Verdict

Chef Infra combines infrastructure configuration, policy testing and drift correction, with a free non-commercial community edition and paid plans. Teams should note the stated lifecycle status of older client versions.

Questions

Is Chef Infra free?

An open source community version is available free for non-commercial use. Business and Enterprise are paid per-node annual plans.

What does the Business plan cost?

Business costs $59 a year, billed per node, per year.

What limits come with Business?

It includes 10 pooled monthly job runs per node, 10 concurrent jobs, and 30-day data and log retention.

Which operating systems does it support?

The listed supported platforms are Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What language does Chef Infra use for policies?

The listed policy language is Ruby DSL.

What is the current LTS version?

Chef Infra Client 19.x is listed as the current LTS release. Version 18.x is deprecated, and versions below 18 are listed as end of life.

Facts from Chef Infra's own pages

Configuration resources
Chef Infra Client ships with more than 150 resources for common automation tasks, and the community provides thousands of configuration templates. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Drift correction
Chef Infra can automatically correct configuration drift when a system diverges from its defined desired state. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Founded
1981 · chef.io, 28 Sept 2026
Free community version
Chef Downloads says open source users can download a free, non-commercial version from the community portal. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Free trial
Chef Downloads offers a guided Chef 360 trial, and the pricing page offers a trial request for Business. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States · chef.io, 28 Sept 2026
Integration
Chef Automate can populate CMDB tools such as ServiceNow and export collected system data to other systems. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Mixed fleets
The product page says teams can manage Windows and Linux systems, cloud ARM systems, and Mac laptops across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Policy as code
Chef lets teams define configurations and policies as code that can be tested, enforced, and delivered through automated pipelines. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
Chef Infra configuration management software automates infrastructure configuration and aims to keep it consistent and compliant over its lifetime. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Security controls
Chef says cookbooks can rotate keys, control SSH and WinRM port access, define authorized users and groups, and support alignment with CIS benchmarks and other standards. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Security process
Progress Chef describes responsible vulnerability disclosure and says its product QA includes software composition analysis, static application security testing, and dynamic application security testing. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Support
The pricing page lists standard support for Business and Enterprise and premium support for Enterprise Plus. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Version lifecycle
Chef Infra Client 19.x is listed as the current LTS release; version 18.x is deprecated and versions below 18 are listed as end of life. · docs.chef.io, 4 Oct 2026
Workstation tools
Chef Workstation includes Chef Infra Client, Chef InSpec, Chef Habitat, Test Kitchen, Cookstyle, and Chef Upgrade Lab. · chef.io, 4 Oct 2026

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