config.XO

config.XO is a hosted management layer for PowerShell Desired State Configuration across Windows and Linux. It suits teams that already use DSC and need continuous enforcement, especially where a visual authoring workflow is preferable to writing every configuration by hand. The free tier is useful for a small proof of concept, while production estates should examine the system cap and security distinction between uploaded configuration types.

Overview

config.XO continually evaluates managed servers and clients against their desired state and corrects drift automatically. Configurations can target groups or individual hosts, and teams can create reusable modules of their own. This gives DSC practitioners centralized organization and enforcement rather than one-off execution, but growth is constrained by the number of managed systems included in each plan.

The cloud deployment covers on-premises virtual machines, physical hosts and public-cloud virtual machines with internet access; proxy configuration is supported. Registering a Windows node requires a PowerShell script that installs the XOAP DSC module and configures the local configuration manager. XOAP says its service is hosted in Europe, is GDPR compliant, encrypts management connections and does not store actual user credentials.

Key features

Configuration authoring and enforcement

A web wizard can create DSC configurations without code, lowering the entry barrier for administrators who understand the desired outcome but are not DSC authors. More experienced teams can build custom configurations or modules and apply them selectively. Continuous drift correction makes the product more appropriate for maintaining policy than for a single setup run.

Mixed infrastructure support

Support for Windows and Linux nodes, plus physical, virtual and public-cloud deployment, fits estates that do not want separate configuration systems. Windows support covers Server 2022, 2019 and 2016, as well as Windows 11 and 10. Configuration runs can also install packages through application.XO, based on PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit, which can connect operating-system configuration with application deployment.

Security and configuration handling

XOAP encrypts uploaded PowerShell DSC configurations with a certificate it provides. Compiled MOF files uploaded by users are not encrypted, so teams handling sensitive compiled artifacts should account for that difference in their workflow and controls. The service provides agent-based management with drift detection, patch management, policy-as-code and compliance reporting.

Pricing

Free

The Free plan costs nothing, billed free forever. It provides one workspace, one admin user, one cloud connection, one hypervisor, three managed systems and one API key. This is a sensible way to evaluate the workflow or run a very small environment, but three systems leaves little room for a growing fleet.

Standard

Standard costs €449 a month, or €4,999 billed annually. It raises access to 10 admin users, removes limits on cloud connections and hypervisors, and includes 10 managed systems, with additional systems available. The plan fits a small operational team needing broader connectivity, although the base node allowance can still be restrictive for larger deployments.

Custom

Custom pricing is available for a customized plan with extended enterprise support and technical engineering. It is the route for organizations whose support or scale requirements exceed the standard package.

Platforms

config.XO is delivered as a cloud service with an agent-based model. Supported platforms are Linux, Windows Server 2022, 2019 and 2016, and Windows 11 and 10. Its API and web interfaces suit centralized administration, while internet access or a configured proxy is required for cloud-connected nodes.

Who it's for

Choose config.XO if your team is committed to PowerShell DSC and wants hosted, ongoing drift correction across mixed Windows and Linux infrastructure. The no-code wizard helps administrators who need DSC outcomes without hand-authoring every resource, and application.XO integration is useful when configuration and package deployment belong in one run. It is less suitable when you need a generous low-cost node allowance, fully self-hosted operation, or encryption of compiled MOF uploads.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Automatic drift correction keeps nodes aligned after changes.
• Pros: Group and host targeting, custom modules and a web wizard support both repeatable operations and less technical authors.
• Pros: Covers supported Windows releases and Linux across on-premises, physical and public-cloud machines.
• Pros: European hosting, GDPR compliance, encrypted management connections and no storage of actual user credentials address common governance concerns.
• Cons: The free plan is limited to three managed systems and one admin user.
• Cons: Standard starts at €449 per month and includes only 10 managed systems before extra systems are added.
• Cons: User-uploaded compiled MOF files are not encrypted.
• Cons: Windows onboarding requires running a PowerShell registration script and configuring the local manager.

Alternatives

Configuration Management Tools is the broader directory for comparing this category.

• AWS Systems Manager State Manager is a free alternative with Linux, macOS, web and Windows support; choose it when those platform options and AWS's no-additional-charge model fit better.
• CFEngine offers a free Community Edition, Linux support and community support, with an Enterprise Edition for larger needs; pick it when that edition structure is preferable.
• Rudder provides an open-source Core option; choose it when downloadable, modifiable source is central to your decision.
• Salt is free, Apache 2.0-licensed open-source software for teams wanting that licensing model.
• cdist is free with no paid plans or usage limits stated and supports Linux, macOS and self-hosted deployments.
• Google Cloud VM Manager has a free tier and then charges per VM-hour, suiting Google Cloud cost allocation.
• OpenVox is community-maintained and supports agent/server or standalone use.
• pyinfra is MIT-licensed and supports Python 3.10 or newer for teams preferring that approach.

Verdict

config.XO is a strong fit for small and midsize teams already invested in PowerShell DSC that want hosted, continuous correction and a no-code starting point. Its main reasons to choose it are mixed Windows/Linux coverage, reusable targeting and integrated application deployment. Look elsewhere if your estate quickly exceeds 10 systems, requires self-hosting, or cannot accept unencrypted compiled MOF uploads.