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Head-to-head · Configuration Management Tools

OpenText Server Automation vs Chef Infra

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score OpenText Server Automation #5 in Configuration Management Tools 7.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit OpenText
Chef Infra #8 in Configuration Management Tools 6.9/10 From $59/yr ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Chef Infra

OpenText Server Automation leads on 1 check, Chef Infra on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenText Server Automation · 7.4/10
  • Most featuresOpenText Server Automation · 4 of 4

OpenText Server Automation scores higher on our rubric for configuration management tools: 7.4 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

On deployment model, Chef Infra gives you Both where OpenText Server Automation offers Self_hosted. OpenText Server Automation offers patch management; Chef Infra doesn't publish it.

OpenText Server Automation is the better fit for large operations needing provisioning and remediation. Chef Infra is the better fit for enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance.

  • OpenText Server Automation fits best

    Large operations needing provisioning and remediation

  • Chef Infra fits best

    Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OpenText Server Automation 7.4/10 Visit ↗ Chef Infra 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.9
Ranking #5 in Configuration Management Tools #8 in Configuration Management Tools
Best for Large operations needing provisioning and remediation Enterprises wanting paid Chef workflows and compliance
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted, Cloud
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Community
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenText Server Automation 4/4 · Chef Infra 3/4
Drift detection ✓ ✓
Patch management ✓ (best) Not published
Policy as code ✓ ✓
Compliance reporting ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Both
Agent model Both Both
Supported platforms Windows Server, Windows, Linux, UNIX, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Debian, Oracle Linux, VMware ESXi Linux, macOS, Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Provisioning, configuration, patching, compliance, and remediation in one product
  • Manages Windows, Linux, and UNIX across physical and cloud environments
  • Discovers unmanaged agentless servers and supports agent deployment
  • 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
  • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan details
  • The listed integration ecosystem centers on OpenText, Ansible, and Chef
  • The product is available through a web platform rather than native desktop apps
  • 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

OpenText Server Automation is built for enterprise teams managing server lifecycles across heterogeneous environments. It covers operating-system provisioning for bare-metal and virtual servers, centralized configuration management,…

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. OpenText Server AutomationConfiguration Management Tools 7.4Pricing on request
  2. Chef InfraConfiguration Management Tools 6.9From $59/yr

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenText Server Automation — where it wins

    • Provisioning, configuration, patching, compliance, and remediation in one product
    • Manages Windows, Linux, and UNIX across physical and cloud environments
    • Discovers unmanaged agentless servers and supports agent deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan details
    • The listed integration ecosystem centers on OpenText, Ansible, and Chef
    • The product is available through a web platform rather than native desktop apps

  • 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
  • OpenText Server Automation7.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad platform for provisioning, patching, compliance, and remediation across heterogeneous servers.

    Visit OpenTextFull verdict →
  • Chef Infra6.9/10 · From $59/yr

    A broad, policy-driven platform for paid infrastructure management and compliance.

    Visit Chef InfraFull verdict →

More comparisons

All configuration management tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on configuration management tools

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update