Side by side
AWS CloudFormation vs Cloudify
Both stand on infrastructure as code tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+3
CloudFormation brings template-based provisioning, change previews, and drift tracking to AWS resource management. The service itself is free, but account for the costs of created resources and any chargeable provider or hook operations.
Visit AWS CloudFormation
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
Cloudify combines multi-cloud and edge orchestration with workflow management, integrations, and listed security controls. Community has no time limit, while Premium trial use is conditional on a valid license.
Visit CloudifyThe facts
| AWS CloudFormation | Cloudify | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Runs on | API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Cloudify listing: $395 per user a month |
| Plans published | 3 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | aws.amazon.com | cloudify.co |
| On infrastructure as code tools | #3 of 31 | #1 of 31 |
AWS CloudFormation: what it does well
- Templates use YAML or JSON.
- Change Sets preview proposed stack changes.
- StackSets deploy across AWS accounts and Regions.
- Drift Detection tracks changes made outside CloudFormation.
- Data is encrypted at rest; service channels are encrypted.
What to know first
- Created AWS resources incur their standard charges.
- Third-party provider and custom hook operations may incur charges.
- AWS recommends TLS 1.3 and requires TLS 1.2.
Cloudify: what it does well
- Models services across orchestration domains.
- Manager runs workflows and displays topology, metrics, and logs.
- Integrates with AWS, Azure, Ansible, and Jenkins.
- Supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and OpenStack.
- Offers free Community with no time limit.
What to know first
- Community requires Docker or a VM setup.
- Workloads need access to a cloud provider.
- Premium trial needs an activation license.
- Trial functionality ends when the license expires.
Alternatives to AWS CloudFormation Alternatives to Cloudify The whole list