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Head-to-head · Infrastructure Policy as Code Tools

Cloud Custodian vs Google Cloud Policy Controller

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Cloud Custodian #4 in Infrastructure Policy as Code Tools 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Try Cloud Custodian
Google Cloud Policy Controller #8 in Infrastructure Policy as Code Tools 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Google Cloud

Cloud Custodian leads on 0 checks, Google Cloud Policy Controller on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCloud Custodian · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

Cloud Custodian scores higher on our rubric for infrastructure policy as code tools: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Cloud Custodian is the better fit for multi-cloud remediation teams. Google Cloud Policy Controller is the better fit for google Kubernetes fleet governance.

  • Cloud Custodian fits best

    Multi-cloud remediation teams

  • Google Cloud Policy Controller fits best

    Google Kubernetes fleet governance

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Side by side

Feature Cloud Custodian 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Google Cloud Policy Controller 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #4 in Infrastructure Policy as Code Tools #8 in Infrastructure Policy as Code Tools
Best for Multi-cloud remediation teams Google Kubernetes fleet governance
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Docs, Community
Integrations 4 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloud Custodian 5/5 · Google Cloud Policy Controller 5/5
Policy testing ✓ ✓
Admission control ✓ ✓
Runtime enforcement ✓ ✓
CI/CD integration ✓ ✓
Policy reporting ✓ ✓
Specs
Policy language YAML Rego
IaC formats Terraform Kubernetes YAML manifests and Custom Resources
Our review
Pros
  • Supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
  • Combines YAML policies, dry runs, enforcement, remediation, and reporting
  • Evaluates Terraform infrastructure as code in CI with c7n-left
  • Free policy guardrails for Kubernetes clusters and fleets
  • Rego templates, admission control, audit, and dry-run modes
  • CI validation, compliance views, and centralized Config Sync distribution
Cons
  • Requires teams to manage and operate the open-source deployment
  • CI admission-style enforcement is not a standalone deployment admission controller
  • Policy reporting is limited to CSV and text-based outputs
  • Focused on Kubernetes rather than general infrastructure as code
  • GKE usage and related Google Cloud services remain billable
  • No AI features or open-source distribution
Our verdict

Cloud Custodian is an open-source rules engine for managing public-cloud resources and accounts. It is designed for teams that need one policy workflow across AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.…

Read the review →

Google Cloud Policy Controller applies programmable security, compliance, and operational guardrails to Kubernetes clusters and workloads. It is designed for IT administrators, operators, security specialists, and platform engineers…

Read the review →
  1. Cloud CustodianInfrastructure Policy as Code Tools 9.0Free plan
  2. Google Cloud Policy ControllerInfrastructure Policy as Code Tools 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cloud Custodian — where it wins

    • Supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
    • Combines YAML policies, dry runs, enforcement, remediation, and reporting
    • Evaluates Terraform infrastructure as code in CI with c7n-left

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires teams to manage and operate the open-source deployment
    • CI admission-style enforcement is not a standalone deployment admission controller
    • Policy reporting is limited to CSV and text-based outputs

  • Google Cloud Policy Controller — where it wins

    • Free policy guardrails for Kubernetes clusters and fleets
    • Rego templates, admission control, audit, and dry-run modes
    • CI validation, compliance views, and centralized Config Sync distribution

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Kubernetes rather than general infrastructure as code
    • GKE usage and related Google Cloud services remain billable
    • No AI features or open-source distribution

More comparisons

All infrastructure policy as code tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update