Free and open first
Best Configuration Management Tools in 2026
Keeping system configurations consistent calls for tools that match your infrastructure and operating practices. Compare agent models, deployment options, and supported platforms, then consider drift detection and patch management for ongoing upkeep. Policy as code and compliance reporting offer further points to weigh when governance matters. Free-plan availability and paid starting prices help you account for cost alongside capability. CFEngine, Rudder, and Salt are among the tools to consider, along with config.XO and OpenVox. Use the listed features to judge which approaches align with the systems and policies you need to manage.
- 26 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
CFEngine
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3CFEngine combines policy-based configuration management with reporting and security controls, and is designed for a wide range of infrastructure scale.
- 2
Puppet
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Puppet Enterprise brings policy-driven configuration management and automation together for complex environments.
- 3
Rudder
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+2 - 4
Uyuni
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Uyuni brings patching, provisioning, access control, and compliance functions into an open-source management tool. Its monitoring setup requires a separate machine and user-provided certificates.
- 5
AWS Systems Manager State Manager
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1State Manager provides configurable, scheduled maintenance for AWS resources and managed nodes at no additional charge.
- 6
Canonical Landscape
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Landscape combines Ubuntu fleet administration, monitoring, and several deployment options.
- 7
cdist
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedcdist provides a push-based configuration model built around SSH, shell scripts and types. Check the source and target requirements against the systems you plan to manage.
- 8
Chef Infra
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Chef Infra combines infrastructure configuration, policy testing and drift correction, with a free non-commercial community edition and paid plans.
- 9
config.XO
Free plan APILinuxWeb+1config.XO offers automated configuration correction with a no-code wizard and support for several Windows versions and Linux.
- 10
Google Cloud VM Manager
Free plan APILinuxWeb+1VM Manager combines patching, inventory, and software policy tools for Compute Engine fleets. Its locale restriction and single-project patch-job scope are important operational limits.
- 11
OpenVox
Free plan APILinuxMac+2OpenVox offers a self-hosted route to Puppet-compatible configuration management, with server-managed agents or local catalog application.
- 12
LCFG
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedLCFG provides a profile-driven way to configure and maintain large Unix environments, with package synchronization and network installation.
- 13
pyinfra
Free plan APILinuxMac+2pyinfra combines Python-based infrastructure automation with agentless SSH execution and both declarative and direct-command operations. It is free and MIT licensed, but requires Python 3.10 or later.
- 14
OpenDSC
Free plan APILinuxMac+3OpenDSC combines local drift correction with centralized configuration distribution and compliance reporting.
- 15
Salt
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Salt combines remote execution, configuration management, provisioning, and orchestration in a self-hosted framework.
- 16
Mgmt Config
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedMgmt offers multiple execution modes and event-driven change detection for supported Linux systems. Check its architecture and installation requirements against your environment before adopting it.
- 17
Quattor
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedQuattor provides lifecycle automation and validation for self-hosted Linux infrastructure, with interfaces for site-specific implementations.
- 18
Rex
Free plan LinuxWindowsChoose Rex if you want a free, Apache 2.0 licensed framework that runs locally and manages remote machines over SSH without agents.
- 19
Azure Machine Configuration
Free plan WebAzure Machine Configuration centers on policy-based settings, drift detection, and compliance reporting. Check resource type and guest configuration assignments when estimating Arc costs.
- 20
Radmind
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 21
Fabric
Paid LinuxMacWindowsChoose Fabric if you want a free, open-source Python library for running SSH commands and Python tasks across remote hosts.
- 22
OpenText Dimensions CM
Paid APILinuxMac+2Pick OpenText Dimensions CM when your teams need controlled software changes, artifacts, deployments, and audit history across varied development environments.
- 23
Tripwire Enterprise
Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted+2Tripwire Enterprise focuses on finding configuration drift and helping teams respond across hybrid environments.
- 24
Microsoft Configuration Manager
Paid WindowsMicrosoft Configuration Manager focuses on Windows administration with patching, scheduling, and reboot controls.
- 25
Microsoft Desired State Configuration
Paid LinuxMacWindowsDesired State Configuration combines policy-as-code configuration with drift detection, patch management, and reporting. Its self-hosted model makes responsibility for hosting a key consideration.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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