AWS CloudFormation vs AWS Systems Manager comparison

AWS CloudFormation and AWS Systems Manager are both solutions in the Configuration Management category. AWS CloudFormation is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.6, while AWS Systems Manager is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.2. AWS CloudFormation holds a 3.0% mindshare in CM, compared to AWS Systems Manager’s 7.9% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of AWS CloudFormation users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of AWS Systems Manager users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 25, 2026

AWS CloudFormation and AWS Systems Manager compete in the infrastructure and management services category. CloudFormation holds the upper hand due to its extensive automation and infrastructure as code capabilities.

Features: AWS CloudFormation offers valuable features such as infrastructure as code, nested stacks, and scalability options for quick deployment and resource control. Its verbose yet comprehensive template system is highlighted by users. AWS Systems Manager provides secure parameter management, robust automation features, and seamless integration with AWS services, appreciated for its flexibility in managing resources.

Room for Improvement: AWS CloudFormation faces criticism for its complexity and AWS exclusivity, limiting its viability for multi-cloud environments. Suggestions for better error handling and more comprehensive documentation remain common. AWS Systems Manager could enhance its automation tools, improve integration with third-party systems, and simplify patch management processes. Expanding OS coverage in patch management and incorporating agentless operations are noted areas for development.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: AWS CloudFormation, primarily used in public cloud settings, is robust in deployment but complex for non-coders. It receives mixed reviews regarding customer support response time and expertise. AWS Systems Manager is favored for its simple setup and efficient customer support, though it also operates predominantly in the cloud. Both services provide strong support, but CloudFormation often demands more technical expertise for optimal use.

Pricing and ROI: Both AWS CloudFormation and Systems Manager are cost-effective, linked to their pay-as-you-go models. CloudFormation incurs no cost for infrastructure management but charges for deployed resources, appealing to companies focused on ROI. Systems Manager, nearly cost-free with AWS EC2 usage, faces issues with unexpected price surges and cost notifications. Both services deliver significant ROI, although CloudFormation's templated deployment is attractive to organizations emphasizing rapid recovery and resource optimization.

To learn more, read our detailed AWS CloudFormation vs. AWS Systems Manager Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

AWS CloudFormation vs. AWS Systems Manager

December 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.3

Microsoft Intune enhances efficiency and security while reducing costs, resources, and hardware needs, offering excellent integration and productivity.

Sentiment score

5.0

Organizations saw 100% ROI with AWS CloudFormation in three years, valuing it for preventing losses during site downtime.

Sentiment score

1.0

Users reported ROI from AWS Systems Manager due to cost savings, improved efficiency, automation, better security, and streamlined operations.

Everything we've gained from it makes my job easier day after day, and I see value in it as an engineer.

AndreaReynolds

IT Systems Engineer at Syracuse University

Microsoft Intune not only saves costs by reducing the number of personnel needed but also offers a comprehensive solution for managing laptops, applications, security, individual access, and enrollment.

Bharath Bharadwaj

Subject Matter Expert at Engage IT Services Pvt Ltd

Importantly, when someone leaves the company, it helps protect document access on their devices.

Nabil Saied

Channels & Alliances Head at Link Development

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

5.7

Microsoft Intune support receives mixed reviews with praise for premium plans but concerns about slow responses and inconsistent quality.

Sentiment score

6.2

AWS CloudFormation support is efficient and knowledgeable, though non-production response times and non-critical inquiries need improvement.

Sentiment score

1.0

AWS Systems Manager support satisfaction varies, with higher praise for business support and consistent approval in Colombia.

When a support ticket is submitted, it directly reaches someone with Intune support expertise.

Joseph Merusi

Collaborations engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

When I contacted Microsoft, they had the same expertise, if not more, which is phenomenal because I felt heard and my problem was solved.

AndreaReynolds

IT Systems Engineer at Syracuse University

Sometimes, the support provided is excellent, and the representative is knowledgeable, while other times, the service needs improvement.

Jeff Wickham

Engineer at a healthcare company with 5,001-10,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

While this might be acceptable for some, it can be lengthy depending on the urgency of the issue.

Mbula Mboma

AWS Cloud Re-Start Program Specialist at Orange RDC (Congo)

Free support for AWS CloudFormation is not provided, and while some support is understandable due to its complexity, assistance for service-related issues should be accessible without a cost.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.6

Microsoft Intune offers seamless scalability for various organization sizes, efficiently managing devices with flexible licensing and high user ratings.

Sentiment score

6.7

AWS CloudFormation is scalable, user-friendly, and praised for security, though it needs better interactivity and tool compatibility.

Sentiment score

7.3

AWS Systems Manager is highly scalable and efficient, handling large workloads seamlessly, making it ideal for complex environments.

The scalability of Microsoft Intune is ten out of ten.

reviewer2595288

Solutions Architect at a computer software company with 51-200 employees

Ideally, we want to automatically segregate devices based on user properties like primary use, but currently, dynamic groups seem limited to device properties.

reviewer2595294

Engineer, Systems Admin . at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees

It supports organizations with 200 endpoints and those with more than 15,000 endpoints.

Martijn Van De Weijenberg

Director at Provisioned

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

Splitting CloudFormation into multiple formations results in changes to resources like API gateway URLs and Cognito pools, which causes issues, especially when trying to maintain consistency across resources.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

Adjusting capacity and functionality is a fundamental use.

Mbula Mboma

AWS Cloud Re-Start Program Specialist at Orange RDC (Congo)

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

6.7

Microsoft Intune is considered reliable and robust, despite occasional bugs and performance issues, with improvements over earlier versions.

Sentiment score

6.6

AWS CloudFormation is considered stable and efficient, with high user ratings despite occasional issues during complex operations.

Sentiment score

7.0

AWS Systems Manager is mainly stable, though some users face issues like clipboard sharing, battery drain, and misconfiguration.

We have not experienced downtime, bugs, or glitches.

Alan Barrett

Head of IT at TWM SOLICITORS LLP

It appears Microsoft Intune undergoes changes without informing customers.

Jesper Boenigk

Support Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees

Microsoft Intune has been very stable.

Joseph Merusi

Collaborations engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

It has been reliable and efficient in all my deployments.

Mbula Mboma

AWS Cloud Re-Start Program Specialist at Orange RDC (Congo)

Data loss can occur when splitting or scaling applications due to changes in resources.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

It's a service that has been around for years, and it handles large complex deployments and updates with very good consistency.

Sridivya Chillappa

application security engineer at Hyperspace IT India

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Intune needs improved reporting, third-party integration, non-Windows management, security policies, navigation, and better pricing and support.

AWS CloudFormation is complex, lacks multi-cloud support, and users desire better error handling, GUI, and automation features.

AWS Systems Manager users seek improved automation, integration, usability, cost optimization, and broader service integration with better incident management.

Features like unlocking devices sometimes fail, and the support offered for other operating systems is insufficient.

Thomas Howard

Strategy & Portfolio Advisor at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees

There are communication issues, so you might start working with a feature without knowing if it will be deprecated six months from now.

Joseph Merusi

Collaborations engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Many third-party companies offer single-pane-of-glass reporting that shows you what your update environment looks like, how your patch is doing, application status, etc., but Intune's reporting is not intuitive.

Jeff Wickham

Engineer at a healthcare company with 5,001-10,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

It presents challenges for users unfamiliar with coding, posing as a barrier to fully utilizing CloudFormation.

Mbula Mboma

AWS Cloud Re-Start Program Specialist at Orange RDC (Congo)

Creating microservices and connecting multiple APIs into a single API gateway can be challenging; documentation should address specific needs.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

Managing the correct order of resource creation and some updates can be tricky, especially with interdependent resources.

Sridivya Chillappa

application security engineer at Hyperspace IT India

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Setup Cost

Microsoft Intune provides cost-effective pricing, especially when bundled with Office 365, with average subscriptions at $7 per user.

AWS CloudFormation is cost-effective and scalable, charging only for deployed resources, but unexpected costs may arise without careful management.

AWS Systems Manager offers cost efficiency and value, but requires optimization to mitigate cost increases during high-demand periods.

Introductory professional services, like a fast-track service, were included with our E5 membership, and there have been no additional costs.

reviewer2595750

Senior Systems Architect IV at a aerospace/defense firm with 10,001+ employees

The Intune suite and add-ons, such as batch management and remote help, are costly.

Mahmoud-Eldeep

Technical Sales Professional (Microsoft Modern Workplace) at Alnafitha IT

It costs approximately forty euros per user per month.

Gintaras_Navickas

Cyber Security Officer at Gudu

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

AWS CloudFormation is free.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

While using AWS Systems Manager, we continually monitor to optimize costs according to our use case, time, and frequency.

Garima Chauhan

Senior Cloud Engineer at Prabhav Services

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Valuable Features

Microsoft Intune integrates with Microsoft services, simplifying deployment and enhancing security for seamless cloud management and robust resource control.

AWS CloudFormation enables automation and scalable deployments with nested stacks, YAML/JSON support, easy configuration, and seamless AWS integration.

AWS Systems Manager provides log analysis, task automation, parameter storage, and efficient access, enhancing security, productivity, and integration.

Intune excels in configuration and compliance management for Windows 10, ensuring devices receive timely updates and adhere to organizational standards.

reviewer2563299

Microsoft Practice Lead at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Dynamic groups allow us to set conditions for automatic membership, eliminating the need for user intervention or manual review and ensuring a seamless workflow.

reviewer2595294

Engineer, Systems Admin . at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees

Windows Autopatch is the most valuable because it removes the burden of patch management.

Martijn Van De Weijenberg

Director at Provisioned

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Intune report

I can see the entire infrastructure and its connections through code.

Mbula Mboma

AWS Cloud Re-Start Program Specialist at Orange RDC (Congo)

Managing, maintaining, and deploying become easier as it allows the creation of the same resources on multiple accounts, making it efficient for infrastructure management.

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS CloudFormation report

AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts.

Garima Chauhan

Senior Cloud Engineer at Prabhav Services

For more quotes and insights, download the AWS Systems Manager report

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Intune

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Configuration Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Intune is 8.2%, down from 10.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of AWS CloudFormation is 3.0%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of AWS Systems Manager is 7.9%, down from 10.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Configuration Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Intune	8.2%
AWS Systems Manager	7.9%
AWS CloudFormation	3.0%
Other	80.9%

Configuration Management

Featured Reviews

AkashKamble

Sr MacOS specialist engineer at Cyber24

Enables management of multiple operating systems with a single license

The best feature is that it's a Microsoft product, so if anything goes wrong, we get quick support for anything required. Remote system functionality allows us to sit anywhere and take control of any device via remote management. We can enhance security for clients' laptops with built-in Microsoft Defender, which is available with the Microsoft Intune license. We use it for reporting purposes through endpoint analytics. When pushing scripting, there are two types available: remediation script and reservation script. Through endpoint analytics, you can push defender policies to clients. It helps with reporting, inventory updates, and monitoring tenant status health.

Read full review

Kishor Kawale

Full-stack Developer / AWS Architect at Mantiqh Technologies

Infrastructure management becomes more efficient with automated deployments using code

Improvements are needed for sharing resources between template files, especially when using AWS SAM. Documentation can be difficult to understand, and I suggest AWS provide small instructional videos on their website. Additionally, creating microservices and connecting multiple APIs into a single API gateway can be challenging; documentation should address specific needs. The ability to split CloudFormation templates without losing data due to changes in resources like API gateway URLs or Cognito pools is also needed.

Read full review

Garima Chauhan

Senior Cloud Engineer at Prabhav Services

Efficient value synchronization across multiple accounts with good reliability

AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts. When you update the value, it's directly reflected across the system without needing manual editing. This is particularly effective for setting policies securely. The parameter store features are among the best aspects.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Comms Service Provider

Government

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	121
Midsize Enterprise	47
Large Enterprise	154

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	15
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	17

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

Microsoft Intune is a great tool for managing a mobile device fleet while keeping access control. The solution makes ...

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What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a great configuration management tool and has a lot of good things going for it. Here are some of...

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How does Google Cloud Identity compare with Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune offers not only an easy-to-deploy data protection and productivity management solution, but also ...

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What do you like most about AWS CloudFormation?

AWS Cloud automation reduces the time needed to create AWS resources.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for AWS CloudFormation?

AWS CloudFormation is free. However, there may be unexpected costs if developers deploy services incorrectly without ...

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What needs improvement with AWS CloudFormation?

When it comes to the challenges with AWS CloudFormation, I faced a few challenges. One challenge is associated with l...

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What do you like most about AWS Systems Manager?

With AWS Systems Manager, our company can patch our systems directly from it, so we don't need to patch our systems m...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for AWS Systems Manager?

Every AWS service comes with some associated costs. While using AWS Systems Manager, we continually monitor to optimi...

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What needs improvement with AWS Systems Manager?

I do not use the automation feature in this product.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 10% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 8% of the time

IBM MaaS360 vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

SOTI MobiControl vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 2% of the time

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VMware Aria Automation vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 13% of the time

HashiCorp Terraform vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 12% of the time

Red Hat Satellite vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 12% of the time

Chef vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 11% of the time

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 10% of the time

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Microsoft Configuration Manager vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 11% of the time

AWS Config vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 10% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 9% of the time

Red Hat Satellite vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 9% of the time

Chef vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Intune

January 2026

Download Microsoft Intune product report

Buyer's Guide

AWS CloudFormation

January 2026

Download AWS CloudFormation product report

Buyer's Guide

Configuration Management

December 2025

Download AWS Systems Manager product report

Also Known As

Intune, MS Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Manager

CloudFormation

Amazon Elastic Container Registry

Overview

Microsoft Intune provides centralized management of mobile devices and applications, ensuring security, compliance, and productivity through integration with Microsoft services like Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory.

Organizations use Intune for managing mobile devices and applications, enhancing security and compliance across platforms. With features like single sign-on, conditional access, and zero-touch deployment via Autopilot, it facilitates efficient operations. Intune's scalability, easy enrollment, and capabilities such as remote wipe support diverse device management, offering robust data protection and efficient operation. Despite its features, improvement areas include reporting, compatibility with non-Microsoft devices, and better support for macOS and Linux devices.

What are the key features of Microsoft Intune?

Seamless Integration: Works with Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory, and System Center for streamlined management.
Conditional Access: Enhances security with policies that restrict access based on conditions.
Autopilot: Provides zero-touch deployment for setting up new devices efficiently.
Mobile Device Management: Enables control over both personal and corporate devices.
Application Deployment: Facilitates app delivery across a range of devices.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Centralized Management: Reduces complexity by managing devices and applications in one place.
Security Enhancement: Protects data with features like remote wipe and compliance monitoring.
Improved Productivity: Enhances efficiency with seamless integration and automation features.
Device Scalability: Supports diverse device management for growing business needs.

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, Microsoft Intune is implemented to ensure secure and compliant device management. Companies leverage its capabilities to deploy security policies and manage both corporate-owned and BYOD environments, facilitating a unified approach to data protection and compliance.

Microsoft

AWS CloudFormation provides a common language for you to model and provision AWS and third party application resources in your cloud environment. AWS CloudFormation allows you to use programming languages or a simple text file to model and provision, in an automated and secure manner, all the resources needed for your applications across all regions and accounts. This gives you a single source of truth for your AWS and third party resources.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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.

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.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Sample Customers

Mitchells and Buzzers, Callaway

Nextdoor, Coinbase, Expedia

Expedia, Intuit, Royal Dutch Shell, Brooks Brothers

Buyer's Guide

AWS CloudFormation vs. AWS Systems Manager

December 2025

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