Ansible vs Terraform
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right devops & ci/cd for your business needs.
Platform Overview
Both Ansible and Terraform are popular devops & ci/cd solutions. Here's how they compare.
Ansible
An agentless IT automation engine for configuration management, application deployment, and infrastructure orchestration using YAML playbooks.
Terraform
An infrastructure-as-code tool that lets teams define and provision cloud resources using declarative HCL configuration files.
Feature Comparison
Ansible Features
- Agentless architecture
- YAML-based playbooks
- Idempotent task execution
- Inventory management
- Ansible Galaxy module hub
Terraform Features
- Declarative HCL configuration
- Multi-cloud provider support
- State management
- Plan and apply workflow
- Module registry
Best For
Ansible — Best For
- Server configuration management
- Application deployment automation
- IT infrastructure orchestration
Terraform — Best For
- Multi-cloud infrastructure provisioning
- Infrastructure as code workflows
- Reproducible cloud environments
Our Verdict
Both Ansible and Terraform are excellent choices. Ansible excels at server configuration management, while Terraform shines at multi-cloud infrastructure provisioning. The best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Ansible or Terraform?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your needs. Ansible is best for server configuration management, while Terraform excels at multi-cloud infrastructure provisioning. We can help you evaluate which fits your business.
Can I switch from Ansible to Terraform?
Yes, migration is possible. The complexity depends on your current setup and data. Our team can plan and execute a smooth migration with minimal downtime.
Can I use Ansible and Terraform together?
In many cases, yes. Ansible and Terraform can complement each other depending on your architecture. We can advise on the best integration strategy.
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