Best Configuration Management Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Salt is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of CFEngine and config.XO. The best-ranked option with a free plan is CFEngine. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Chef Infra at $4.92/mo.
Configuration management tools are for defining and maintaining settings across systems. As you compare the entries, look at agent model and deployment model alongside supported platforms to see how each approach fits your environment. Drift detection and patch management speak to ongoing upkeep; policy as code and compliance reporting add governance dimensions. Free-plan availability and starting paid prices provide cost context. The ranking opens with Salt, CFEngine and config.XO, with Puppet and Rudder also among the first entries. Use those published criteria and the ranked order to weigh operational fit, controls and cost.
25 configuration management tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Salt No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 2 CFEngine No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 3 config.XO No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3€449/mo Deployment model: cloudAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 4 Rudder No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 5 Uyuni No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Deployment model: bothAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 6 OpenVox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 7 Chef Infra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8$4.92/mo Deployment model: bothAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 8 OpenDSC No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 9 Puppet No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 10 Azure Machine Configuration No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5$6/mo Deployment model: cloudAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 11 AWS Systems Manager State Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: cloudAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 12 Google Cloud VM Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: cloudAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 13 OpenText Server Automation No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 14 Radmind No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_basedDrift detection: Yes
- 15 cdist No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agentless
- 16 LCFG No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_based
- 17 Microsoft Desired State Configuration No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: self_hostedDrift detection: Yes
- 18 pyinfra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: bothAgent model: agentlessDrift detection: Yes
- 19 Quattor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agent_based
- 20 Rex No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agentlessDrift detection: Yes
- 21 Fabric No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: agentless
- 22 Mgmt Config No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Deployment model: self_hostedAgent model: bothDrift detection: Yes
- 23 Microsoft Configuration Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1$1,455/mo
- 24 OpenText Dimensions CM No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 25 Tripwire Enterprise No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Drift detection: Yes
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which configuration management tool is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Salt is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 6.4. CFEngine is second and config.XO third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Chef Infra has the lowest first paid tier we found: $4.92/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.