Managing infrastructure manually is no longer viable for organizations seeking speed, reliability, and scalability. As cloud environments become more complex, the need for automation and consistency grows. This is where Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools come into play — enabling teams to define, provision, and manage infrastructure using code. At Kapstan, we help modern businesses streamline their cloud infrastructure by leveraging the best IaC practices and tools available today.
What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?
Infrastructure as Code is the practice of managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable configuration files, rather than through physical hardware configuration or interactive configuration tools. With IaC, you can:
Automate infrastructure deployment
Eliminate configuration drift
Improve collaboration between development and operations
Enable repeatability and scalability
Whether you’re deploying to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or a hybrid environment, choosing the right infrastructure as code tools can drastically impact your agility and cost-efficiency.
Top Infrastructure as Code Tools in 2025
At Kapstan, we’ve worked with a wide range of IaC platforms. Below are some of the most reliable and widely adopted tools in the market today:
1. Terraform
HashiCorp’s Terraform is one of the most popular infrastructure as code tools. It’s cloud-agnostic and allows users to define infrastructure using a high-level configuration language known as HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language). With support for over a thousand providers, Terraform enables teams to manage resources across multi-cloud environments efficiently.
Kapstan helps businesses design scalable, modular Terraform architectures to reduce risk and improve collaboration across teams.
2. Pulumi
Pulumi brings a developer-first approach to infrastructure by allowing you to write infrastructure code in general-purpose programming languages like TypeScript, Python, and Go. It provides the flexibility and expressiveness of real programming constructs, making it ideal for complex workflows.
We often recommend Pulumi to teams looking to merge application and infrastructure development pipelines into one cohesive unit.
3. AWS CloudFormation
CloudFormation is Amazon’s native IaC tool, tightly integrated with the AWS ecosystem. It’s particularly effective for teams deeply invested in AWS and looking for seamless integration with other AWS services.
At Kapstan, we assist AWS-native teams with templating best practices, nested stacks, and continuous deployment strategies using CloudFormation.
4. Ansible
While traditionally seen as a configuration management tool, Ansible also functions effectively as an IaC tool. It’s agentless and uses YAML for playbook definitions, which many teams find readable and easy to maintain.
Kapstan integrates Ansible into CI/CD pipelines for clients needing both configuration management and infrastructure provisioning.
5. Chef and Puppet
Chef and Puppet are veteran tools in the infrastructure automation space. Though they’re more prominent in configuration management, they still offer strong IaC capabilities, especially in enterprises with complex compliance needs.
Why Choosing the Right Tool Matters
Not all infrastructure as code tools are built the same. The ideal choice depends on factors like:
Your cloud provider(s)
The team’s skill set (Dev vs Ops focus)
Language preferences
Integration needs with CI/CD and monitoring platforms
Compliance and governance requirements
At Kapstan, our team of DevOps experts conducts an in-depth evaluation of your environment to recommend IaC solutions that align with your scalability and governance goals. We don’t just help you pick a tool—we also help you build a sustainable framework around it.
Best Practices When Adopting IaC
To maximize the benefits of infrastructure as code tools, follow these key principles:
Modularize code: Break down infrastructure definitions into reusable modules
Version control everything: Use Git or similar tools for code management
Use remote backends: Store your state files securely and enable team collaboration
Integrate with CI/CD: Automate deployment and testing of infrastructure
Implement security scanning: Use tools like Checkov or tfsec to detect vulnerabilities
Kapstan partners with organizations to build robust IaC pipelines that not only automate infrastructure but also enhance security and compliance through every stage of development.
Final Thoughts
The shift to infrastructure as code tools is more than a technical trend — it’s a critical evolution for businesses striving to operate with speed and precision in the cloud. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your IaC strategy, partnering with experts can make all the difference.
Let Kapstan guide your journey toward a more automated, scalable, and resilient infrastructure.