CloudFormation vs. Terraform: An Unbiased Comparison
CloudFormation and Terraform are two major tools in the world of cloud computing that allow for the creation and deployment of infrastructure as code. These tools are designed to automate the entire process, from the creation of cloud resources to the management of infrastructure, through specialized scripting languages. While they share some similarities, they have their unique features that set them apart from each other.
1. Language
CloudFormation offers two options for coding: JSON and YAML. Although both options are quite easy to learn, proper formatting is necessary to avoid errors. On the other hand, Terraform uses its own Domain Specific Language (DSL), HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language). While it requires an extra effort to learn, it offers flexibility, modularity, and ease of use.
2. Resource Management
CloudFormation is an AWS-native tool, while Terraform is a multi-cloud tool that works with AWS, GCP, and Azure, among other providers. While both tools support a vast number of cloud resources, Terraform offers a more extensive range of providers, which is advantageous for businesses that have a mixed infrastructure or require flexibility in choosing cloud providers.
3. Execution Time
CloudFormation scripts take longer to execute due to its dependence on Amazon Web Services. In contrast, Terraform can execute faster in most cases, which saves time and reduces the incidence of this type of challenges.
4. Community Support
Both CloudFormation and Terraform have an active community of users and contributors. However, Terraform has a more extensive community that is genuinely invested in its development, providing better feedback, and contributing to improvements in the tool. It results in quick bug detection and resolution.
Overall, the choice between CloudFormation and Terraform depends on several factors, such as the infrastructure's size, deployment destination, and the company's cloud provider. While CloudFormation is adequate for small to medium-sized architecture, Terraform offers a more powerful and versatile approach that is suitable for larger enterprises. Regardless of the choice, both tools offer benefits that save time and reduce the manual deployment of infrastructure.
If in doubt, we recommend testing both tools and selecting the one that works best for your project.