asdf vs Chef: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between asdf and Chef comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
asdf
Manage all your project runtimes with a single CLI tool.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Manages multiple runtime versions with a single CLI tool.
- • Uses a plugin system for a wide range of languages and tools.
Chef
Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • Chef is an infrastructure automation platform for managing servers and applications at scale
- • It uses Ruby-based recipes to define infrastructure as code across cloud and on-premise environments
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Automation |
Rating | 70/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | asdf | Chef |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 70 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsAutomation | AutomationCI/CD |
How asdf and Chef Compare
asdf
Manage all your project runtimes with a single CLI tool.
Free · 70/100 score
Chef
Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes
Paid · 78/100 score
asdf is a terminal tools tool. Chef is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
asdf is free. Chef is paid.
Go with: asdf
Want the highest-rated option?
asdf: 70/100. Chef: 78/100.
Go with: Chef
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Chef
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
asdf is free. Chef is paid. Go with asdf if free matters most.
What's your use case?
asdf is a terminal tools tool. Chef is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Chef scores higher: 78/100 vs 70/100.
Key Takeaways
Chef
- Higher score: 78/100 vs 70
- Our pick for this comparison
asdf
- Completely free
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
Chef (78/100) is our pick. That said, asdf is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asdf or Chef better?
Chef scores 78/100 in our evaluation. asdf is free and Chef is paid.
What are asdf and Chef used for?
asdf: Manage all your project runtimes with a single CLI tool.. Chef: Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes.
What does asdf cost vs Chef?
asdf is completely free. Chef is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.