EC2 Image Builder

Web · API

Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.3

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

EC2 Image Builder is ranked #17 of 33 in container build tools on Freedom251. It runs on API, Web. There is a free plan.

EC2 Image Builder plans and pricing

All plans

EC2 Image Builder Free No charge for the service; underlying AWS resource charges apply. Underlying AWS resources used to create, store, and copy images are charged separately aws.amazon.com · 7 Oct 2026

Compared on container build tools

Free plan: Yes
Build method: remote
Concurrent builds: 100 builds

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The record

Purpose: EC2 Image Builder automates customization, testing, distribution, and lifecycle management of Amazon Machine Images and container images.
Automated builds: Pipelines can automatically produce updated images when software updates become available, without users manually initiating builds.
Image validation: AWS-provided and custom tests can validate images before production use, including checks for booting, required drivers, and CIS hardening.
Security settings: AWS-provided settings include applying security patches, enforcing strong passwords, enabling full disk encryption and firewalls, closing non-essential ports, and enabling logging and audit controls.
Image formats: The service builds AMIs and container images, and with VM Import/Export can support on-premises VHDX, VMDK, and OVF virtual machine images.
Marketplace integration: Users can subscribe to AWS Marketplace image products in the Image Builder console and use them as base images in recipes.
AWS integrations: Image Builder integrates with AWS Resource Access Manager and AWS Organizations to share AMIs across AWS accounts.
Creation interfaces: Custom images can be created using the AWS Management Console, AWS Command Line Interface, or APIs.
Recipe management: Recipes can be shared, forked, and edited outside the Image Builder user interface, and used with version control software.
Supported operating systems: Supported image operating systems include Amazon Linux, CentOS, macOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Ubuntu, and Windows Server.
Usage costs: There is no charge for EC2 Image Builder itself, but other services used for compute, logs, image validation, storage, and transfers may incur charges.
Intended users: The service is aimed at customers maintaining secure, customized server and container images, including organizations that distribute standardized images across AWS accounts.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Container Build Tools in 2026#17 of 33

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Sources

aws.amazon.com/image-builder/· checked 7 Oct 2026
aws.amazon.com/image-builder/features/· checked 7 Oct 2026
docs.aws.amazon.com/imagebuilder/latest/userguide/· checked 7 Oct 2026
aws.amazon.com/image-builder/faqs/· checked 7 Oct 2026