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Head-to-head · Enterprise IT Management Software

OpenText SMAX vs Puppet

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score OpenText SMAX #3 in Enterprise IT Management Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit OpenText
Puppet #6 in Enterprise IT Management Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 6 features Visit Puppet

OpenText SMAX leads on 0 checks, Puppet 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

  • Highest scoreOpenText SMAX · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Puppet
  • Free trialonly OpenText SMAX
  • Most featuresPuppet · 1 of 6

OpenText SMAX scores higher on our rubric for enterprise it management software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Puppet offers free plan; OpenText SMAX doesn't.

OpenText SMAX is the better fit for enterprises needing configurable ITIL service management. Puppet is the better fit for enterprises automating infrastructure configuration.

  • OpenText SMAX fits best

    Enterprises needing configurable ITIL service management

  • Puppet fits best

    Enterprises automating infrastructure configuration

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Side by side

Feature OpenText SMAX 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Puppet 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Enterprise IT Management Software #6 in Enterprise IT Management Software
Best for Enterprises needing configurable ITIL service management Enterprises automating infrastructure configuration
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Enterprise
Features OpenText SMAX 0/6 · Puppet 1/6
Endpoint management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Patch management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Asset discovery Not checked yet Not checked yet
Service desk Not checked yet Not checked yet
Identity and access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Automation workflows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers core ITIL processes, including incident, change, problem, and release management
  • Codeless workflow configuration, automation, and native CMDB support
  • Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android and iOS apps
  • Enforces desired state and detects and remediates configuration drift
  • Combines patch workflows with policy-as-code and compliance reporting
  • Offers both agent-based and agentless automation across supported operating systems
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • No permanent free plan; the hosted trial lasts 14 days
  • The documented support channel is limited to documentation
  • Deployment is self-hosted
  • The free Developer plan is limited to fewer than 25 nodes
  • Commercial plan pricing is custom or handled through sales
Our verdict

OpenText SMAX, now presented as OpenText Service Management, brings IT service workflows, configuration management, and related enterprise service processes into one suite. Its ITIL-aligned scope includes incident, problem, change,…

Read the review →

Puppet is infrastructure configuration management and automation software for infrastructure and platform teams, particularly enterprises that need to define system state as code and apply it across servers and other infrastructure. It can…

Read the review →
  1. OpenText SMAXEnterprise IT Management Software 9.1Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. PuppetEnterprise IT Management Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenText SMAX — where it wins

    • Covers core ITIL processes, including incident, change, problem, and release management
    • Codeless workflow configuration, automation, and native CMDB support
    • Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android and iOS apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • No permanent free plan; the hosted trial lasts 14 days
    • The documented support channel is limited to documentation

  • Puppet — where it wins

    • Enforces desired state and detects and remediates configuration drift
    • Combines patch workflows with policy-as-code and compliance reporting
    • Offers both agent-based and agentless automation across supported operating systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment is self-hosted
    • The free Developer plan is limited to fewer than 25 nodes
    • Commercial plan pricing is custom or handled through sales
  • OpenText SMAX9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    A configurable ITIL-aligned suite for teams managing service, change, and asset workflows.

    Visit OpenTextFull verdict →
  • Puppet8.8/10 · Free plan

    Puppet enforces desired state, remediates drift, and supports compliance across infrastructure.

    Visit PuppetFull verdict →

More comparisons

All enterprise IT management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update