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Head-to-head · IT Automation Software

Puppet vs Action1

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Puppet #1 in IT Automation Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Puppet
Action1 #31 in IT Automation Software 6.3/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Action1

Puppet leads on 0 checks, Action1 on 0, and 4 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 scorePuppet · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Action1
  • Most featuresAction1 · 3 of 3

Puppet scores higher on our rubric for it automation software: 9.4 against 6.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #31.

On deployment model, Puppet gives you Self_hosted where Action1 offers Cloud.

Puppet is the better fit for infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation. Action1 is the better fit for cross-platform endpoint automation on a free plan.

  • Puppet fits best

    Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation

  • Action1 fits best

    Cross-platform endpoint automation on a free plan

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Puppet 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Action1 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 6.3
Ranking #1 in IT Automation Software #31 in IT Automation Software
Best for Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation Cross-platform endpoint automation on a free plan
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 15 days
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 11 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Puppet 1/3 · Action1 3/3
Patch management ✓ ✓
Configuration management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Remediation automation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Cloud
Included endpoints Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Debian, Fedora, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Amazon Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Alma Linux, Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, Ubuntu Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Enforces desired state and automatically remediates configuration drift
  • Combines patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance enforcement
  • Supports agent-based and agentless automation across Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Patches Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications
  • Automates vulnerability remediation, configuration drift, and software deployment
  • Includes REST API, PowerShell, Intune, and Group Policy integrations
Cons
  • Commercial plans use custom pricing rather than published rates
  • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier Puppet Enterprise plans
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of smaller automation projects
  • Deployments above 200 endpoints require quote-based pricing
  • Configuration management is a separate add-on subscription
  • Community support on the Free plan is provided through Discord
Our verdict

Puppet is an infrastructure automation and configuration management platform for platform, infrastructure, and DevOps teams. It manages configurations across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, server, network, and edge environments. Its core…

Read the review →

Action1 is a cloud-native IT automation and endpoint management platform for organizations managing Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Its browser-based cloud console connects to an installed agent, supporting remote and off-network…

Read the review →
  1. PuppetIT Automation Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Action1IT Automation Software 6.3Free plan · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Puppet — where it wins

    • Enforces desired state and automatically remediates configuration drift
    • Combines patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance enforcement
    • Supports agent-based and agentless automation across Linux, Windows, and macOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial plans use custom pricing rather than published rates
    • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier Puppet Enterprise plans
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of smaller automation projects
  • Action1 — where it wins

    • Patches Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications
    • Automates vulnerability remediation, configuration drift, and software deployment
    • Includes REST API, PowerShell, Intune, and Group Policy integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployments above 200 endpoints require quote-based pricing
    • Configuration management is a separate add-on subscription
    • Community support on the Free plan is provided through Discord
  • Puppet9.4/10 · Free plan

    Puppet combines policy-as-code, drift remediation, patching, and compliance across hybrid infrastructure.

    Visit PuppetFull verdict →
  • Action16.3/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

    Cross-platform endpoint automation with a free plan for the first 200 endpoints.

    Visit Action1Full verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update