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Head-to-head · IT Configuration Management Software

Chef Infra vs Google Cloud VM Manager

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Chef Infra #10 in IT Configuration Management Software 6.2/10 From $59/yr ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Chef Infra
Google Cloud VM Manager #11 in IT Configuration Management Software 6.2/10 Free plan · paid from $0.00 Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Google Cloud

Chef Infra leads on 0 checks, Google Cloud VM Manager on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planonly Google Cloud VM Manager

Chef Infra and Google Cloud VM Manager score identically on our rubric (6.2 out of 10) for it configuration management software; Chef Infra sits at #10 and Google Cloud VM Manager at #11 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

Google Cloud VM Manager offers free plan; Chef Infra doesn't publish it.

Chef Infra is the better fit for paid enterprise configuration-as-code programs. Google Cloud VM Manager is the better fit for low-cost Google Cloud VM policy management.

  • Chef Infra fits best

    Paid enterprise configuration-as-code programs

  • Google Cloud VM Manager fits best

    Low-cost Google Cloud VM policy management

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Side by side

Feature Chef Infra 6.2/10 Visit ↗ Google Cloud VM Manager 6.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.2 6.2
Ranking #10 in IT Configuration Management Software #11 in IT Configuration Management Software
Best for Paid enterprise configuration-as-code programs Low-cost Google Cloud VM policy management
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud
Platforms Linux, Windows, macOS Web
Support Community Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Chef Infra 1/4 · Google Cloud VM Manager 1/4
Configuration as code Not published Not published
Drift detection ✓ ✓
Agentless operation Not published Not published
Compliance policies Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment model Not published Cloud
Operating system coverage Not published Not published
Managed node limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Corrects configuration drift through desired-state enforcement
  • Combines cookbooks, policy as code, testing, and compliance
  • Supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments
  • Free tier covers 100 VMs per Cloud Billing account monthly
  • Combines patching, inventory, vulnerabilities, policies, and compliance reporting
  • Supports console, CLI, API, and Terraform workflows
Cons
  • Enterprise pricing starts at $189 per node per year
  • No free plan is available
  • Chef Infra Server is scheduled for end of life on November 30, 2026
  • Requires the OS Config agent on managed VMs
  • Focuses on Compute Engine virtual machines rather than broader infrastructure
  • Supports English-locale operating systems
Our verdict

Chef Infra is configuration management software for infrastructure, security, DevOps, and operations teams managing heterogeneous systems across on-premises and cloud environments. Teams define desired configurations and policies as code…

Read the review →

Google Cloud VM Manager is a cloud-based suite for managing operating systems across Windows and Linux virtual-machine fleets running on Compute Engine. It brings together operating-system patch deployment, compliance reporting, inventory…

Read the review →
  1. Chef InfraIT Configuration Management Software 6.2From $59/yr
  2. Google Cloud VM ManagerIT Configuration Management Software 6.2Free plan · paid from $0.00

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Chef Infra — where it wins

    • Corrects configuration drift through desired-state enforcement
    • Combines cookbooks, policy as code, testing, and compliance
    • Supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise pricing starts at $189 per node per year
    • No free plan is available
    • Chef Infra Server is scheduled for end of life on November 30, 2026

  • Google Cloud VM Manager — where it wins

    • Free tier covers 100 VMs per Cloud Billing account monthly
    • Combines patching, inventory, vulnerabilities, policies, and compliance reporting
    • Supports console, CLI, API, and Terraform workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires the OS Config agent on managed VMs
    • Focuses on Compute Engine virtual machines rather than broader infrastructure
    • Supports English-locale operating systems

All IT configuration management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update