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 #9 with an average rating of 8.7, while AWS Systems Manager is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.2. AWS CloudFormation holds a 2.4% mindshare in CM, compared to AWS Systems Manager’s 9.6% 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.

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 19, 2025

AWS CloudFormation and AWS Systems Manager are competing tools in the AWS resource management category. While both have their strengths, AWS CloudFormation seems to have the upper hand with its infrastructure-as-code capabilities, which streamline deployment processes and support automated infrastructure management, offering clear advantages in speed and efficiency for infrastructure setup.

Features: AWS CloudFormation allows automation of complex setups using YAML/JSON templates, supports versioning for resource tracking, and includes capabilities like nested stacks and predefined templates for scalability and ease of use. AWS Systems Manager focuses on operational management with robust automation features, integrates effectively with other AWS services, and provides log analysis for insights, making it ideal for tasks such as patch management and parameter store organization.

Room for Improvement: AWS CloudFormation needs to improve cross-account dynamic references and better support for multi-cloud environments like Azure and Google Cloud, alongside enhancements in documentation and user interface. Systems Manager could benefit from better integration with third-party tools, improved automation capabilities, cost optimization features, and faster patching processes, along with broader operating system support.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: AWS CloudFormation is reliable in public cloud environments, although it can improve response times in non-production setups despite effective support during production issues. Systems Manager exhibits effective deployment within AWS environments, providing a satisfactory level of customer support with room to enhance certain technical support aspects.

Pricing and ROI: AWS CloudFormation is free to use, incurring costs based on AWS resource deployment, known for its scalability and cost-effectiveness, offering significant ROI via automation features during downtimes. Systems Manager is generally free when using AWS EC2 instances, though price surges are noted in high demand periods, maintaining a favorable price-to-capabilities ratio. Both tools present potential for high ROI, with CloudFormation's infrastructure focus potentially yielding quicker returns.

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

Buyer's Guide

AWS CloudFormation vs. AWS Systems Manager

September 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

5.7

Microsoft Intune offers cost savings, enhanced productivity, and seamless integration, cutting expenses up to 60% with efficient management.

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

5.5

Microsoft Intune's technical support has mixed reviews, with praise for higher-level engineers but criticism for lower-level support.

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

6.7

Microsoft Intune offers scalable, cloud-based device management, integrating with systems like Office 365 for seamless enterprise flexibility and performance.

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

6.6

Microsoft Intune is stable and reliable, with minor sync delays, benefiting from a cloud-based infrastructure for improved performance.

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, faster policy deployment, automation, enhanced integration, and better support for BYOD and non-Microsoft systems.

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 is seen as cost-effective, offering significant savings when bundled with Microsoft 365 and EMS licenses.

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 offers zero-touch deployment, security, cross-platform management, and intuitive interface for streamlined device and application management.

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 October 2025, in the Configuration Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Intune is 9.4%, down from 9.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of AWS CloudFormation is 2.4%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of AWS Systems Manager is 9.6%, down from 9.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Configuration Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Intune	9.4%
AWS Systems Manager	9.6%
AWS CloudFormation	2.4%
Other	78.6%

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

Mbula Mboma

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

Facilitates efficient infrastructure deployment with visibility into resource connections

I primarily use AWS CloudFormation for deploying infrastructure efficiently. For instance, if I want to create load balancers with target groups and EC2 instances, I find CloudFormation simplifies the process of deployment and configuration, reducing the possibility of errors AWS CloudFormation…

Read full review

Ambe Frankline

Cloud/DevOps Engineer at Innovative Technology Systems

Tracks every action on AWS accounts in a centralized way

Setting up AWS Systems Manager to monitor and control other services is easy. You need to link the services you want to observe and track. The time it takes to deploy depends on factors like connectivity, latency, and the complexity of the services. For example, setting up a simple application is faster than setting up a more complicated three-tier or multi-tier system. Using the solution for batch updates varies depending on the number of servers involved and the commands needed. Personally, when I do small projects at home, deploying a few servers doesn't take long. But at work, where we handle larger deployments with hundreds of servers, it's faster due to better connectivity and resources.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

19%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Retailer

Government

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	116
Midsize Enterprise	46
Large Enterprise	152

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 ...

See all answers

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

Jamf Pro vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 10% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 8% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 7% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs Microsoft Intune

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 14% of the time

Red Hat Satellite vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 13% of the time

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 10% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 10% of the time

Spring Cloud vs AWS CloudFormation

Compared 10% of the time

More AWS CloudFormation Competitors

AWS Config vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 16% of the time

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 14% of the time

Red Hat Satellite vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 10% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 8% of the time

Perforce Puppet vs AWS Systems Manager

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Intune

October 2025

Download Microsoft Intune product report

Buyer's Guide

AWS CloudFormation

October 2025

Download AWS CloudFormation product report

Buyer's Guide

Configuration Management

October 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

September 2025

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