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Head-to-head · Configuration Management Tools

CFEngine vs Chef Infra

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score CFEngine #8 in Configuration Management Tools 8.4/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CFEngine
Chef Infra #9 in Configuration Management Tools 8.3/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Chef Infra

CFEngine 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 scoreCFEngine · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly CFEngine
  • Most featuresCFEngine · 4 of 4

CFEngine scores higher on our rubric for configuration management tools: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #9.

On deployment model, Chef Infra gives you Both where CFEngine offers Self_hosted. On agent model, Chef Infra gives you Both where CFEngine offers Agent_based.

CFEngine is the better fit for mature teams prioritizing autonomous compliance. Chef Infra is the better fit for enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance.

  • CFEngine fits best

    Mature teams prioritizing autonomous compliance

  • Chef Infra fits best

    Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance

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Side by side

Feature CFEngine 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Chef Infra 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.3
Ranking #8 in Configuration Management Tools #9 in Configuration Management Tools
Best for Mature teams prioritizing autonomous compliance Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $59/unit/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms Linux, Windows Linux, Windows, macOS
Support Live chat, Tickets, Phone, Community, Docs Community
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CFEngine 4/4 · Chef Infra 3/4
Drift detection ✓ ✓
Patch management ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Policy as code ✓ ✓
Compliance reporting ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Both
Agent model Agent_based Both
Supported platforms Linux (RHEL, Debian, Ubuntu) and Windows Linux, macOS, Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Autonomous agents enforce desired states and correct configuration drift.
  • Package management supports installation, removal, pinning, and updates.
  • Enterprise adds dashboards, reports, alerts, and REST APIs.
  • Enforces desired state and corrects configuration drift automatically
  • Supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments
  • Combines InSpec compliance with dashboards and audit history
Cons
  • Enterprise pricing is quote-based rather than publicly itemized.
  • Community Edition is presented with Linux support.
  • Deployments use a self-hosted hub and agents on managed devices.
  • 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
Our verdict

CFEngine is self-hosted configuration management software for DevSecOps and infrastructure teams managing servers, cloud instances, desktops, IoT devices, and mainframes. Its declarative policy language defines desired system states, while…

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 →
  1. CFEngineConfiguration Management Tools 8.4Free plan · pricing on request
  2. Chef InfraConfiguration Management Tools 8.3Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CFEngine — where it wins

    • Autonomous agents enforce desired states and correct configuration drift.
    • Package management supports installation, removal, pinning, and updates.
    • Enterprise adds dashboards, reports, alerts, and REST APIs.

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise pricing is quote-based rather than publicly itemized.
    • Community Edition is presented with Linux support.
    • Deployments use a self-hosted hub and agents on managed devices.

  • 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

More comparisons

All configuration management tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update