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AWS Systems Manager Reviews

Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
4.1 out of 5
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What is AWS Systems Manager?

AWS Systems Manager is a management service that helps you automatically collect software inventory, apply OS patches, create system images, and configure Windows and Linux operating systems. These capabilities help you define and track system configurations, prevent drift, and maintain software compliance of your EC2 and on-premises configurations. By providing a management approach that is designed for the scale and agility of the cloud but extends into your on-premises data center, Systems Manager makes it easier for you to seamlessly bridge your existing infrastructure with AWS.

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AWS Systems Manager is the #5 ranked solution in top Configuration Management solutions. PeerSpot users give AWS Systems Manager an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. AWS Systems Manager is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Intune. AWS Systems Manager is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 65% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 14% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Configuration Management
July 2025
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Helped 866,218 peers since 2012

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AWS Systems Manager mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of AWS Systems Manager in the Configuration Management category stands at 10.4%, up from 10.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Configuration Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
AWS Systems Manager10.4%
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform16.6%
Microsoft Configuration Manager11.8%
Other61.2%
Configuration Management
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

AWS Systems Manager offers valuable features such as automation for infrastructure management tasks, parameter store for secure configuration, and Session Manager for secure connection to instances. It allows dynamic export/import of values across AWS accounts and includes change management and patch automation. It integrates well with services like CloudWatch and S3 and provides robust tools for analyzing performance and managing configurations, enhancing security and usability. The system is customizable and user-friendly.
  • "AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts."
  • "AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts"
  • "I use AWS Systems Manager primarily for infrastructure management and automation. One of its key benefits is managing patches and updates for our EC2 instances, including both Windows and Linux workloads. It can perform compliance checks on all managed workloads, identifying which systems aren't compliant or haven't been patched."

Room for Improvement

AWS Systems Manager requires enhancements in automation functions and integration with other AWS services and solutions. Users seek intuitive UIs and consolidated account views. Faster patching, cost optimization, and automatic backups are desired. Broader OS coverage for patch management and dynamic configuration management are areas for improvement. Making it agentless similar to Ansible would be beneficial. There's a need for managing multiple accounts through AWS Organizations without separate support tickets for each account issue.
  • "The cost is a very important factor to keep in mind because the cost of cloud services, not just AWS cloud, can be substantial if not controlled."
  • "Every AWS service comes with some associated costs."
  • "It could be agentless if there's room for improvement in the AWS Systems Manager. Currently, you have to install agents, although, for most of the latest EC2 images, the agents come preinstalled. If it could be at the level of Ansible, which is agentless, that would be fantastic. When you compare the solution to Ansible, one of the most widely accepted tools, the agentless feature stands out. So, if the AWS Systems Manager could become agentless, that would be a significant improvement."

ROI

Users reported significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings with AWS Systems Manager. Automation of routine tasks reduced manual effort. Centralized management enhanced visibility and control over resources. Integration with existing AWS services streamlined operations. Enhanced security features led to better compliance. Simplified patch management and configuration updates saved time and reduced operational downtime. Improved resource optimization led to better budget allocation and forecasting, contributing positively to return on investment.

Pricing

Enterprise users have mixed experiences with AWS Systems Manager pricing. Some note unexpected cost surges during high demand and suggest improved alerts. Most tools are free, especially when integrated with existing AWS accounts, providing excellent value compared to third-party solutions. Some users acknowledge varying costs with certain features but emphasize that costs can be managed effectively by AWS cloud engineers. Government projects may receive pricing advantages, and costs generally remain low when optimized.
  • "Most of the features are free. I'm not entirely certain, but I believe the pricing is generally very low. Some services that are part of Ops Manager might have associated costs."
  • "The platform provides excellent value for the capabilities it offers when compared to third-party tools for similar tasks."
  • "An AWS cloud engineer can bring down the costs."

Popular Use Cases

AWS Systems Manager allows users to manage SAP workloads, automate tasks, handle scaling and configurations, control unauthorized access, and manage patching for EC2 instances. Users utilize it for infrastructure management, compliance checks, managing credentials, and exporting values across AWS accounts. Additionally, its automation features facilitate security management, resource deployment, and integration into continuous pipelines, enabling efficient operations with AWS resources including Duo Inventory, page management, and application needs of Smart Farming initiatives.

Service and Support

AWS Systems Manager customer service varies. Some find it unresponsive at times, while others note usefulness and high ratings for technical assistance. Responsiveness and effectiveness depend on the support level chosen. Developer support is sometimes slower than business support. Technical teams are rated highly but can be inconsistent, especially with urgent issues. Colombian users report no issues with the service. Overall satisfaction is mixed, with dependability on individual experiences and geographical location.

Deployment

The setup for AWS Systems Manager is straightforward and user-friendly. Many users find the documentation helpful, simplifying the process. Some organizations complete setup in-house, and it takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Factors like connectivity and service complexity can affect deployment time. For complex structures, experienced users find it easier. Eight consultants are typically needed for average-sized clients. Resources and infrastructure influence ease significantly. Main steps include linking services and configuring policies.

Scalability

AWS Systems Manager is highly regarded for its scalability, effectively accommodating varying demands. Many users praise its robust scaling capabilities, allowing seamless management of extensive resources without concerns. It efficiently supports numerous workloads, exemplifying its SaaS nature. Users rate its ability to scale favorably, highlighting its strength in handling both small and large scales of operation efficiently. Although some note patching may take time, the adaptability in automating tasks receives positive feedback.

Stability

AWS Systems Manager is generally stable, with many rating it eight to nine out of ten. Some face issues related to misconfigurations or occasional failures in features like clipboard sharing and system patching, requiring multiple attempts. Stability depends on application configuration and resource consumption. About eight users in one enterprise experienced no stability concerns, with no significant bugs reported. While variances exist, many find the stability satisfactory.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Configuration Management Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business123
Midsize Enterprise82
Large Enterprise377
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
9%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
5%
University
5%
Healthcare Company
5%
Non Profit
4%
Media Company
4%
Retailer
4%
Educational Organization
3%
Legal Firm
3%
Insurance Company
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Pharma/Biotech Company
2%
Construction Company
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
International Affairs Institute
1%
Real Estate/Law Firm
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Wellness & Fitness Company
1%

Compare AWS Systems Manager with alternative products

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Learn more about AWS Systems Manager

Systems Manager is easy to use. Simply access Systems Manager from the EC2 Management Console, select the instances you want to manage, and define the management tasks you want to perform. Systems Manager is available now at no cost to manage both your EC2 and on-premises resources.

AWS Systems Manager was previously known as Amazon Elastic Container Registry.

AWS Systems Manager customers

Expedia, Intuit, Royal Dutch Shell, Brooks Brothers

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Product Categories

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AWS Systems Manager Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior Cloud Engineer at Prabhav Services4.5In reviewing AWS Systems Manager, I find its most valuable feature to be its capability to dynamically export and import values across AWS accounts, streamlining secure policy updates. Although there are other solutions, I haven't encountered any specific improvements needed.
Principal System Architect at a transportation company with 1,001-5,000 employees4.0I use AWS Systems Manager for infrastructure management and automation, benefiting from features like Session Manager and Runbooks. However, it requires agents and improvements could include making it agentless. Support could be better streamlined across multiple AWS accounts.
Cloud/DevOps Engineer at Innovative Technology Systems4.5I utilize AWS Systems Manager for controlling unauthorized access and tracking cloud activities. Its most valuable feature is change management, which centralizes tracking. However, enhanced automation for monitoring tools like AWS CloudWatch and AWS Config would be beneficial.
Jefe Arquitectura Empresarial at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5I use AWS as our main cloud platform due to its secure, customizable services like Parameter Store. It's stable, easy to set up, and well-supported, though managing cost control is essential to avoid budget issues.
Sr. AWS Cloud DevSecOps Engineer at Manhattan Strategy Group4.0AWS Systems Manager is essential for automating tasks like patch management and compliance, securely accessing instances without SSH keys, and streamlining infrastructure management through integration with services like CloudWatch and S3. It could improve with broader OS coverage in patch management.
L3 Engineer at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited4.0I use AWS Systems Manager for inventory and page management, and to automate tasks with the SSM agent. While testing and monitoring are effective, managing over 150 accounts is challenging due to the lack of a consolidated view.
Cloud Engineer at Epsilon3.5I use AWS Systems Manager to manage interviews, resources, security, and configurations like API keys and passwords. Its hierarchical parameter storage ensures scalability, while automation capabilities streamline integration. However, dynamic configuration management and integration could be improved.
Director of Technology at a computer software company with 51-200 employees4.0We run production workloads across multiple AWS accounts and value AWS Systems Manager for its native integration and Fleet Manager tool. However, the user interface and usability need improvement. We prefer using native AWS tools for our deployments.