A configuration manager keeps servers and infrastructure in a declared, repeatable state, installing packages, managing files and services, and correcting drift. For sysadmins, DevOps and platform teams it replaces manual changes and one-off scripts with versioned definitions.
This page compares seven open-source options with licences verified on 2026-11-07. Ansible, Salt, OpenVox, Rudder and CFEngine configure machines, while OpenTofu and Pulumi provision the infrastructure beneath them; many teams pair one of each. Puppet itself has moved away from open distribution, and OpenVox is a community implementation of it.
Tools, licences and pricing checked against vendor and repository pages on November 7, 2026.
What to look for
•Agent-based versus agentless operation
•Language and learning curve: YAML, DSL or general-purpose languages
Infrastructure as code in general-purpose languages
Free, open source CLI and SDK; Pulumi Cloud paid tiers, see vendor pricing
Apache-2.0
1. Ansible
GPL-3.0
Best for: Agentless automation with readable YAML playbooks · Free, open source; paid enterprise platform from Red Hat, see vendor pricing
Ansible is a simple IT automation system that handles configuration management, application deployment, cloud provisioning, ad hoc task execution, network automation and multi-node orchestration.
Best for: Teams keeping existing Puppet code with open packages · Free, open source
OpenVox is a community implementation of Puppet, an automated administrative engine for Linux, Unix and Windows that performs tasks such as adding users, installing packages and updating configuration from a centralised specification.
Best for: Compliance-driven continuous configuration · Free, open source; paid plugins and support, see vendor pricing
Rudder is a system infrastructure automation platform for IT operations teams to ensure and improve their security posture, with continuous configuration and compliance reporting.
Best for: Lightweight agent for very large fleets · Free community edition; enterprise edition from vendor, see vendor pricing
CFEngine 3 is a popular open-source configuration management system whose primary function is automated configuration and maintenance of large-scale computer systems.
Best for: Provisioning cloud infrastructure declaratively · Free, open source
OpenTofu is an open-source tool for building, changing and versioning infrastructure safely and efficiently, managing popular cloud and service providers.
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How to choose
If you need…
Start with
Agentless automation, simple start
Ansible
Fast, event-driven control at scale
Salt
Existing Puppet estate
OpenVox
Compliance reporting
Rudder
Provision cloud infrastructure
OpenTofu, Pulumi
Open-Source Configuration Management Tools: FAQ
Quick answers to common questions
What is a configuration manager?
Software that declares and enforces how servers and services should be configured and corrects drift from that state.
Configuration management or infrastructure as code?
Configuration managers such as Ansible and Salt set up what runs on machines, while tools like OpenTofu and Pulumi create the machines and cloud resources. Teams often use both.
Is Puppet still open source?
Puppet packages are now distributed under Perforce terms; OpenVox is a community implementation of Puppet published under Apache-2.0.
Which is easiest to start with?
Ansible is usually easiest because it is agentless and uses YAML over SSH.
