AWS Systems Manager State Manager vs Azure Automation

AWS Systems Manager State Manager9.0Visit Azure Automation8.9Visit

Higher score AWS Systems Manager State Manager #5 in IT Automation Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit AWS

vs

Azure Automation #6 in IT Automation Software 8.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Microsoft

• AWS Systems Manager State Manager fits best

  AWS-centric desired-state automation

• Azure Automation fits best

  Azure-based runbook and update automation

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Side by side

Feature	AWS Systems Manager State Manager 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Azure Automation 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.9
Ranking	#5 in IT Automation Software	#6 in IT Automation Software
Best for	AWS-centric desired-state automation	Azure-based runbook and update automation
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$0.002/unit usage-based
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Docs	Docs
Integrations	8 integrations	11 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS Systems Manager State Manager 1/3 · Azure Automation 3/3
Patch management	✓	✓
Configuration management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Remediation automation	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment model	Cloud	Cloud
Included endpoints	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Linux, macOS on Amazon EC2, Windows Server	Windows, Linux
Our review
Pros	Free State Manager service with scheduled configuration associations Targets nodes by tags, resource groups, IDs, or all managed nodes Runs scripts and manages drift across Linux, macOS, and Windows Server	PowerShell and Python runbooks with scheduled and event-triggered jobs Windows and Linux update assessment and installation Hybrid execution with RBAC, audit logging, and Azure integrations
Cons	Associated AWS resources and some Systems Manager operations may incur charges Its model centers on associations and Systems Manager documents Best fit depends on AWS-connected managed nodes and resources	No free plan; usage-based pricing requires cost planning Most compelling for Azure-centered environments State Configuration is scheduled for retirement on September 30, 2027
Our verdict	AWS Systems Manager State Manager is a cloud configuration management service for AWS customers. It defines desired configurations through associations and Systems Manager documents, then repeatedly applies those configurations to managed… Read the review →	Azure Automation is a Microsoft cloud service for automating operational processes across Azure, on-premises environments, and other clouds. It is aimed at IT and operations teams that need to create and run PowerShell or Python runbooks,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AWS Systems Manager State Manager — where it wins

  • Free State Manager service with scheduled configuration associations
  • Targets nodes by tags, resource groups, IDs, or all managed nodes
  • Runs scripts and manages drift across Linux, macOS, and Windows Server

  Where it doesn't

  • Associated AWS resources and some Systems Manager operations may incur charges
  • Its model centers on associations and Systems Manager documents
  • Best fit depends on AWS-connected managed nodes and resources

• Azure Automation — where it wins

  • PowerShell and Python runbooks with scheduled and event-triggered jobs
  • Windows and Linux update assessment and installation
  • Hybrid execution with RBAC, audit logging, and Azure integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; usage-based pricing requires cost planning
  • Most compelling for Azure-centered environments
  • State Configuration is scheduled for retirement on September 30, 2027

• AWS Systems Manager State Manager9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free AWS service for scheduled, desired-state automation across managed infrastructure.

  Visit AWSFull verdict →
• Azure Automation8.9/10 · 30-day trial

  A strong fit for Azure teams that need runbooks, patching, and hybrid automation.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →