Are you new to DevOps and not sure which tool to use to manage your infrastructure? Do you already use DevOps tools but you're looking for something new? Then keep reading! In this post, we will compare two of the most popular Infrastructure as Code (IAC) tools: Terraform and CloudFormation.
What is Terraform?
Terraform is an open-source IAC tool created by HashiCorp. It allows users to define infrastructure in a High-Level Configuration Language (HCL) and can be used to manage various cloud platforms, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Terraform is known for its simplicity and its support for a wide range of cloud platforms.
What is CloudFormation?
CloudFormation is a native IAC tool from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows users to define infrastructure as code using either JSON or YAML. It is designed to simplify the creation and management of AWS resources by providing templates that automate the deployment process.
Comparison
Now that we know what Terraform and CloudFormation are, let's take a look at how they compare in several categories.
Learning Curve
Terraform's learning curve is known to be steeper than that of CloudFormation because it has its own syntax (HCL). This can be a disadvantage for beginners who are used to YAML, but it also means that Terraform can do much more than CloudFormation. CloudFormation is relatively easy to learn, especially if you are already familiar with YAML.
Flexibility
Terraform is flexible and supports a wider range of cloud platforms than CloudFormation. As already mentioned, Terraform can support AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. In addition, Terraform has a vast collection of third-party providers that allow users to manage resources for applications like Kubernetes, Github, and Datadog.
CloudFormation is less flexible than Terraform as it is only supported on AWS. The templates provided by AWS can be limiting, and users may need to rely on using third-party tools for workarounds.
Features
Terraform has more features than CloudFormation, including a user-friendly command-line interface (CLI) and the ability to import existing resources into IAC scripts. Terraform can also execute operations in parallel allowing for faster execution times.
CloudFormation templates are optimized for AWS and can provide better assurances that infrastructure compliance is being met compared to generic templates such as those used in Terraform. CloudFormation stacks also support grouping related AWS resources together in one template.
Community
Both Terraform and CloudFormation have active communities. Terraform has a larger community as it supports multiple cloud platforms, while CloudFormation has a smaller community as it is only supported by AWS. However, CloudFormation users are highly active in the forums, and there are plenty of resources to get started with.
Conclusion
Both Terraform and CloudFormation are excellent IAC tools, and it's difficult to say which one is better. If you prioritize flexibility and a vast tool ecosystem, then Terraform may be the better choice for you. However, if you're an AWS user looking for a tool that's optimized for use with AWS, then CloudFormation is the better choice.
Before making a decision, we recommend trying both tools out for yourself to see which one suits your needs best.
References
- Terraform Documentation
- AWS CloudFormation Documentation
- Terraform vs CloudFormation: Which Technology is the Best Fit for Your DevOps Team? By Christine Hall. (2020, January 17) Datamation.
- Is Terraform-Based Infrastructure as Code Worth the Procedural Learning Curve? By Soeren Friemel. (2022, March 10) ionos.digitalguide.