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Best IT Automation Software in 2026
IT teams may use automation to maintain configurations, deploy systems, manage patches, or respond to issues across their environments. Compared on configuration management, deployment model, supported platforms, and included endpoints, these tools offer useful distinctions in scope and fit. Patch management and remediation automation help frame the operational tasks to compare, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, OPSI, and Rundeck are among the entries, alongside Salt and Canonical MAAS. Consider which parts of your IT work you want to automate, what platforms you run, and whether endpoint coverage and deployment approach align with your needs.
- 77 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Canonical MAAS
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1MAAS provides server provisioning and infrastructure-management tools, with free self-support and paid support tiers.
- 2
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.
- 3
OPSI
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3OPSI covers deployment, inventory, patching, and configuration in a single client-management system. Check the license limits and minimum device purchase against the size of your setup.
- 4
PatchMon
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+2PatchMon combines patch controls and audit records with compliance scanning for mixed server fleets. Check the deployment model and platform limits that fit your environment before choosing a plan.
- 5
Puppet
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Puppet Enterprise brings policy-driven configuration management and automation together for complex environments.
- 6
Rudder
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+2 - 7
Rundeck
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Choose Rundeck if incident response teams need automated jobs to collect system information and record response actions.
- 8
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.
- 9
AWS Systems Manager State Manager
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1State Manager provides configurable, scheduled maintenance for AWS resources and managed nodes at no additional charge.
- 10
- 11
Canonical Landscape
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Landscape offers several deployment models and tools for Ubuntu software management, monitoring, and compliance.
- 12
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.
- 13
Foreman
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Foreman offers server provisioning, configuration integrations and several administration interfaces without a listed software charge.
- 14
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.
- 15
CloudBolt
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebCloudBolt combines hybrid cloud provisioning and governance with cloud cost tools and Kubernetes rightsizing. Its free CMP offer has a stated 100-resource limit, while paid billing is custom.
- 16
Cobbler
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedChoose Cobbler if you need a free Linux server to automate network installations and can manage its server and security requirements.
- 17
Juju
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Juju is an open-source orchestration option built around reusable charms and application integrations. Teams seeking centralized enterprise controls can use JAAS alongside it.
- 18
Gluware
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebGluware combines network discovery, configuration monitoring, lifecycle management, integrations, and API access.
- 19
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Mobile Device Manager Plus combines device enrollment, app administration, and security controls in one console, with cloud and on-premises deployment choices.
- 20
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5Patch Manager Plus covers patch assessment, deployment, and reporting, with cloud and on-premises options.
- 21
OpenVox
Free plan APILinuxMac+2OpenVox offers a self-hosted route to Puppet-compatible configuration management, with server-managed agents or local catalog application.
- 22
Oracle Enterprise Manager
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1Oracle Enterprise Manager brings database operations, monitoring, and compliance tools together for mixed and hybrid environments.
7.2 Visit site - 23
Action1
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Teams managing up to 200 endpoints should consider Action1’s free plan for its patch, configuration, and remediation functions.
- 24
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Container Registry
Free plan APILinuxWeb - 25
Rundeck
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Rundeck combines scheduling, workflow orchestration and access controls with Linux, Windows and macOS support. Teams should distinguish the free community plan from commercial features and support.
#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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