Best Azure Automation Alternatives in 2026
The top Azure Automation alternatives are Puppet, ManageEngine Endpoint Central and OpenText Automation Center: 15 IT automation software our editors would look at instead of Azure Automation, in our ranking order.
Azure Automation: A strong fit for Azure teams that need runbooks, patching, and hybrid automation. Where it falls short: no free plan; usage-based pricing requires cost planning.
Switching from Azure Automation? For most it automation software buyers the best Azure Automation alternative is Puppet, built for infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation. On a budget, BMC Control-M starts at $2,400/mo. ManageEngine Endpoint Central offers the most included endpoints (50 endpoints).
Why People Look for an Azure Automation Alternative
- 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
- No free plan — 5 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPuppet9.4
Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation
Visit Puppet - Lowest priceBMC Control-M8.7
Paid plans from $2,400/mo
Visit BMC Control-M - Best free optionPuppet9.4
Has a free plan (Azure Automation has none)
Visit Puppet - Most included endpointsManageEngine Endpoint Central9.3
50 endpoints
Visit ManageEngine Endpoint Central
All 15 Azure Automation Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forInfrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.9
Puppet combines policy-as-code, drift remediation, patching, and compliance across hybrid infrastructure.
- Patch management
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Puppet -
Best forMature endpoint and mobile-device management
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.9
A mature platform for patching, endpoint control, mobile management, and remediation.
- Configuration management
- Remediation automation
- Patch management
9.3/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forEnterprise IT workflow orchestration and remediation
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.9
Enterprise IT orchestration spanning workflows, provisioning, remediation, and compliance.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit OpenText -
Best forSelf-hosted server automation and compliance
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.9
Enterprise server automation for provisioning, patching, configuration, and compliance.
- Patch management
9.1/10★★★★★Visit OpenText -
Best forAWS-centric desired-state automation
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.9
A free AWS service for scheduled, desired-state automation across managed infrastructure.
- Patch management
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit AWS -
Best forEnterprise Linux lifecycle governance
A broad open-source platform for governing mixed Linux environments across enterprise infrastructure.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit SUSE -
Best forEnterprise workload orchestration with AI monitoring
A broad orchestration suite for complex enterprise workflows, priced for substantial IT operations.
- Remediation automation
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit BMC Control-M -
Best forEnterprise workload scheduling and anomaly detection
A broad orchestration platform for event-driven scheduling, monitoring and anomaly detection.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit IBM -
Best forGoogle Cloud VM patch and policy automation
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Free plan
A focused Google Cloud service for VM patching, policies, inventory, and compliance.
- Patch management
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forMulti-cluster Kubernetes fleet governance
A focused control plane for governing, operating, and observing Kubernetes fleets.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Red Hat -
Best forAutomated network infrastructure operations
Deep network automation and control for teams managing complex infrastructure.
- Configuration management
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Arista -
Best forBare-metal server provisioning teams
- Better than Azure Automation:
- Free plan
A capable choice for physical-server provisioning, but narrower than general IT automation suites.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Canonical MAAS -
Best forOpen-source multi-cloud application operations
Juju fits teams managing application lifecycles across mixed cloud and infrastructure environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Juju -
Best forOracle-centric database operations automation
Deep Oracle database operations coverage for enterprise teams managing complex estates.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle -
Best forOn-premises patching with service-desk features
A broad endpoint management platform for on-premises patching and IT service workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Quest Software
Azure Automation Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Azure Automation?
Puppet: #1 in our IT Automation Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Puppet combines policy-as-code, drift remediation, patching, and compliance across hybrid infrastructure.
Is there a free alternative to Azure Automation?
Yes. Puppet, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, AWS Systems Manager State Manager, Google Cloud VM Manager and Canonical MAAS have a free plan or a free tier (6 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Azure Automation alternatives?
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.
Which Azure Automation alternative has the most included endpoints?
ManageEngine Endpoint Central, with 50 endpoints.
How do I switch from Azure Automation?
Export your data from Azure Automation (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Automation.
How to Switch from Azure Automation
- Export your data from Azure Automation (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Automation.
Azure Automation vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Azure Automation | No | $0.002/unit usage-based | Cloud | 8.9 |
| 1 | Puppet | Yes | Self_hosted | 9.4 | |
| 2 | ManageEngine Endpoint Central | Yes | $795/device/yr | Hybrid | 9.3 |
| 3 | OpenText Automation Center | Hybrid | 9.2 | ||
| 4 | OpenText Server Automation | Self_hosted | 9.1 | ||
| 5 | AWS Systems Manager State Manager | Yes | Free | Cloud | 9.0 |
| 6 | SUSE Multi-Linux Manager (formerly SUSE Manager) | No | Hybrid | 8.8 | |
| 7 | BMC Control-M | No | $2,400/mo | Hybrid | 8.7 |
| 8 | IBM Workload Automation | No | Hybrid | 8.6 | |
| 9 | Google Cloud VM Manager | Yes | $0.003/device usage-based | Cloud | 8.5 |
| 10 | Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes | 8.4 | |||
| 11 | Arista CloudVision | Hybrid | 8.2 | ||
| 12 | Canonical MAAS | Yes | $30/device/yr | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Juju | Free | Self_hosted | 8.0 | |
| 14 | Oracle Enterprise Manager | Hybrid | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | KACE Systems Management Appliance | 7.8 |
Head-to-Head
- Azure Automation vs Puppet
- Azure Automation vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central
- Azure Automation vs OpenText Automation Center
- Azure Automation vs OpenText Server Automation
- Azure Automation vs AWS Systems Manager State Manager
- Azure Automation vs SUSE Multi-Linux Manager (formerly SUSE Manager)
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update