Head-to-head · Configuration Management Tools
AWS Systems Manager State Manager vs Chef Infra
AWS Systems Manager State Manager leads on 0 checks, Chef Infra on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAWS Systems Manager State Manager · 9.1/10
- Free planonly AWS Systems Manager State Manager
- Most featuresAWS Systems Manager State Manager · 4 of 4
AWS Systems Manager State Manager scores higher on our rubric for configuration management tools: 9.1 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #9.
On deployment model, Chef Infra gives you Both where AWS Systems Manager State Manager offers Cloud. On agent model, Chef Infra gives you Both where AWS Systems Manager State Manager offers Agent_based.
AWS Systems Manager State Manager is the better fit for AWS-heavy teams wanting free managed-state control. Chef Infra is the better fit for enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance.
- AWS Systems Manager State Manager fits best
AWS-heavy teams wanting free managed-state control
- Chef Infra fits best
Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance
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Side by side
| Feature | AWS Systems Manager State Manager 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Chef Infra 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #2 in Configuration Management Tools | #9 in Configuration Management Tools |
| Best for | AWS-heavy teams wanting free managed-state control | Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | $59/unit/yr |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Self-hosted, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Support | Docs | Community |
| Integrations | 8 integrations | 1 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features AWS Systems Manager State Manager 4/4 · Chef Infra 3/4 | ||
| Drift detection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Patch management | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Policy as code | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compliance reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Cloud | Both |
| Agent model | Agent_based | Both |
| Supported platforms | Linux, macOS on Amazon EC2, Windows Server | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | AWS Systems Manager State Manager is a cloud configuration management service for AWS customers. It uses associations and Systems Manager documents to define desired configurations and repeatedly apply them to managed nodes and other AWS… Read the review → |
Chef Infra is configuration management software for infrastructure, DevOps, security, and operations teams managing heterogeneous environments across on-premises and cloud infrastructure. It defines configurations and policies as code… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
AWS Systems Manager State Manager — where it wins
- Free State Manager service with scheduled desired-state associations
- Targets AWS, on-premises, virtual, and edge systems
- Includes drift management, patching, and compliance reporting
Where it doesn't
- Its scope is centered on AWS and Systems Manager
- Associated AWS resources may incur separate charges
- Configuration work is organized around associations and documents
Chef Infra — where it wins
- Enforces desired state and corrects configuration drift automatically
- Supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments
- Combines InSpec compliance with dashboards and audit history
Where it doesn't
- Starts at $189 per node per year with annual billing
- Has no free plan for smaller or exploratory deployments
- Chef Infra Server is deprecated and scheduled for end of life
- AWS Systems Manager State Manager9.1/10 · Free plan
A free AWS service for scheduled configuration, drift management, patching, and compliance reporting.
Visit AWSFull verdict → - Chef Infra8.3/10 · Paid
A broad, policy-driven platform for paid infrastructure management and compliance.
Visit Chef InfraFull verdict →
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All configuration management tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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