Chef vs Puppet: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Chef and Puppet 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:
Chef
Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • 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
Puppet
Infrastructure automation and configuration management
Best for you if:
- • Puppet is a configuration management tool for automating infrastructure
- • It defines infrastructure as code with declarative configurations
| At a Glance |  Puppet | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Automation | Automation |
Rating | 78/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | Chef | Puppet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AutomationCI/CD | AutomationCI/CD |
How Chef and Puppet Compare
Chef
Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes
Paid · 78/100 score
Puppet
Infrastructure automation and configuration management
Paid · 76/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Chef
Want the highest-rated option?
Chef: 78/100. Puppet: 76/100.
Go with: Chef
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Chef
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are automation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Chef scores higher: 78/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
Chef
- Higher score: 78/100 vs 76
- Our pick for this comparison
Puppet
The Bottom Line
Chef (78/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chef or Puppet better?
Chef scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Chef and Puppet used for?
Chef: Infrastructure automation with Ruby-based recipes. Puppet: Infrastructure automation and configuration management.
What does Chef cost vs Puppet?
Chef is a paid tool. Puppet is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.