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Terraform

HashiCorps Infrastructure as Code tool for provisioning cloud resources across multiple providers with declarative HCL syntax.

Free CLI (BSL 1.1), HCP Terraform Free (500 resources), Team $20/user/mo, Enterprise custom. OpenTofu fork is MPL 2.0.

Terraform by HashiCorp is the industry-standard Infrastructure as Code tool that enables teams to provision and manage cloud infrastructure across 2000+ providers using declarative HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language). It maintains state files to track resource changes, supports modules for reusable infrastructure patterns, and offers workspaces for environment management. Terraform Cloud adds remote state management, policy enforcement, and team collaboration features.

  • Best for: Infrastructure as Code
  • Pricing: Free CLI (BSL 1.1), HCP Terraform Free (500 resources), Team $20/user/mo, Enterprise custom. OpenTofu fork is MPL 2.0.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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Features

✓

Drift Detection

Detect and report manual changes outside of IaC

Terraform plan detects drift, Terraform Cloud notifications

✗

Kubernetes-Native

Built on Kubernetes CRDs for native K8s experience

Not K8s-native, separate Kubernetes provider

✓

Module/Package Registry

Reusable infrastructure components managed via registry

Terraform Registry (public and private)

✓

Multi-Cloud Support

Provision infrastructure across AWS, Azure, GCP and others

2000+ providers across all major clouds

✓

Policy as Code

Define and enforce infrastructure policies programmatically

Sentinel (enterprise) and OPA integration

✓

Preview/Plan

Preview infrastructure changes before applying them

Terraform plan output before apply

✗

Programming Languages

Use general-purpose languages instead of DSL

HCL DSL only

✓

Secret Management

Handle sensitive values like passwords and API keys

Variables with sensitive flag, Vault integration

✓

State Management

Track and manage infrastructure state over time

Local and remote state (Terraform Cloud, S3, etc.)

✓

Team Collaboration

Multi-user support with RBAC and audit logs

Terraform Cloud with RBAC, runs, workspaces

Best For

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