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Head-to-head · IT Automation Software

Puppet vs Azure Automation

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Puppet #2 in IT Automation Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Puppet
Azure Automation #4 in IT Automation Software 7.6/10 30-day trial ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Microsoft

Puppet leads on 1 check, Azure Automation on 2, and 1 is 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 · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Puppet
  • Most featuresAzure Automation · 3 of 3

Puppet scores higher on our rubric for it automation software: 9.1 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Puppet offers free plan; Azure Automation doesn't. Azure Automation offers configuration management; Puppet doesn't publish it. Azure Automation offers remediation automation; Puppet doesn't publish it. On deployment model, Puppet gives you Self_hosted where Azure Automation offers Cloud.

Puppet is the better fit for infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation. Azure Automation is the better fit for azure-based runbook and update automation.

  • Puppet fits best

    Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation

  • Azure Automation fits best

    Azure-based runbook and update automation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Puppet 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Azure Automation 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.6
Ranking #2 in IT Automation Software #4 in IT Automation Software
Best for Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation Azure-based runbook and update automation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Support Docs Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Puppet 1/3 · Azure Automation 3/3
Patch management ✓ ✓
Configuration management Not published ✓ (best)
Remediation automation Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Cloud
Included endpoints Not published Not published
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, 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
  • PowerShell and Python runbooks with scheduled and event-triggered jobs
  • Windows and Linux update assessment and installation
  • Hybrid execution with RBAC, audit logging, and Azure 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
  • No free plan; usage-based pricing requires cost planning
  • Most compelling for Azure-centered environments
  • State Configuration is scheduled for retirement on September 30, 2027
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 →

Azure Automation is a Microsoft cloud service for automating operational processes across Azure, on-premises environments, and other clouds. It is aimed at IT and operations teams that need to create and run PowerShell or Python runbooks,…

Read the review →
  1. PuppetIT Automation Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Azure AutomationIT Automation Software 7.630-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

  • Azure Automation — where it wins

    • PowerShell and Python runbooks with scheduled and event-triggered jobs
    • Windows and Linux update assessment and installation
    • Hybrid execution with RBAC, audit logging, and Azure integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; usage-based pricing requires cost planning
    • Most compelling for Azure-centered environments
    • State Configuration is scheduled for retirement on September 30, 2027
  • Puppet9.1/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit PuppetFull verdict →
  • Azure Automation7.6/10 · 30-day trial

    A strong fit for Azure teams that need runbooks, patching, and hybrid automation.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IT automation software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update