AWS CloudFormation vs Terraform
AWS CloudFormation and Terraform are both popular infrastructures as code (IaC) tools used to manage cloud resources. AWS CloudFormation is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows you to model and provision AWS resources using templates. Whereas Terraform is an open-source tool that can be used to manage resources across multiple cloud providers, including AWS.
Comparison
One of the main differences between AWS CloudFormation and Terraform is their level of abstraction. AWS CloudFormation provides a high level of abstraction, allowing you to define resources using simple templates. Terraform provide a lower level of abstraction, allowing you to define resources using a more granular approach.
One similarity between the two tools is their approach to managing resources. AWS CloudFormation and Terraform both use a declarative approach, where you define the desired state of your infrastructure in a template.
When it comes to managing resources across multiple cloud providers, Terraform has an advantage over AWS CloudFormation. Terraform supports a wide range of cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure, while AWS CloudFormation is limited to managing AWS resources.
In terms of ease of use, AWS CloudFormation is often considered to be easier to use than Terraform, especially for beginners. AWS CloudFormation provides a simple, easy-to-use interface for defining resources, while Terraform requires more technical knowledge and experience.
Overall, both AWS CloudFormation and Terraform are powerful tools for managing cloud resources. The choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and project requirements. If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use tool for managing AWS resources for an AWS-centric environment then AWS CloudFormation is a great choice. If you need to manage resources across multiple cloud providers, Terraform may be the better choice.
About the Author:
Laura Gardner is an AWS Architect here at Version 1.
