We use AWS CloudFormation to automate our deployment processes within the AWS environment. It makes the process easier to manage.
Solutions Architect at Futuralis
Has a straightforward initial setup process and efficient update management features
Pros and Cons
- "With CloudFormation, there is no need to use complicated coding."
- "They could improve the product's capability to handle circular dependencies more effectively."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
With CloudFormation, there is no need to use complicated coding. Instead, you define your infrastructure using a straightforward format called YAML, which resembles plain English rather than intricate code. Additionally, it offers extensive support and documentation, making it even easier to understand.
What needs improvement?
They could improve the product's capability to handle circular dependencies more effectively. Currently, we encounter errors when deploying interdependent resources.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using AWS CloudFormation for two years.
Buyer's Guide
AWS CloudFormation
February 2025
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How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of CloudFormation was very straightforward, to the point where even individuals with no coding background can easily understand the process. The deployment time depends on the amount of resources. It might require only a minute to complete if you have ten resources. However, if you have 100 resources, it could take two hours.
What other advice do I have?
In a recent project, we had to deploy over 500 resources on AWS. Without CloudFormation, this would have been a time-consuming process, likely taking several days to complete manually through the console. Additionally, if we needed to remove the deployment, it would have required a considerable amount of time and a team of ten people. However, by using this platform, we were able to streamline the entire process. It allowed us to deploy everything with just one click.
The change set feature provides efficient management of updates. Suppose you've deployed 500 resources but only need to modify 100, you can leverage the change set functionality to identify and apply these modifications. It automatically detects the necessary changes, creates a distinct change set, and deploys only the required updates.
I rate it a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Global BD & Partner Alliance at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Can have JSON templates in multiple setup repositories
Pros and Cons
- "The product uses a simple JSON file format, so it's easy for a beginner to start. But you can use Terraform once you get good hands-on experience and know the infrastructure and resources well."
- "I prefer Terraform over AWS CloudFormation because AWS CloudFormation is specific to just AWS. But if I want to use a multi-cloud or hybrid setup, then Terraform works better. It uses a simple language, HCL. So, if you learn HCL, you can manage your infrastructures across different cloud providers. You don't need to be specific to one cloud provider."
What is most valuable?
The product uses a simple JSON file format, so it's easy for a beginner to start. But you can use Terraform once you get good hands-on experience and know the infrastructure and resources well.
Using JSON templates in AWS CloudFormation has improved my infrastructure management because it's simple. We can have these templates in multiple setup repositories, which makes it easy for us to collaborate at a specific level.
What needs improvement?
I prefer Terraform over AWS CloudFormation because AWS CloudFormation is specific to just AWS. But if I want to use a multi-cloud or hybrid setup, then Terraform works better. It uses a simple language, HCL. So, if you learn HCL, you can manage your infrastructures across different cloud providers. You don't need to be specific to one cloud provider.
I prefer Terraform over CloudFormation, so I would rather work with Terraform for deployments. It's easier and simpler to perform deployments with Terraform in my experience.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I haven't encountered any stability issues.
How are customer service and support?
From my experience with Amazon's customer support, it's good. We usually don't need to connect directly with the Amazon support team. We have specific customer relationship managers as well as a dedicated team that we pay for. We have a support plan in place.
We have both a support plan and a partner development manager who manages the AWS partnerships between our organization and AWS. So we don't have any big issues with support. The partnership manager helps maintain our relationship with AWS.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool's pricing depends on the page model.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the overall solution a nine out of ten and would recommend it to others.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Last updated: Sep 5, 2024
Flag as inappropriateBuyer's Guide
AWS CloudFormation
February 2025
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Learn what your peers think about AWS CloudFormation. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
837,501 professionals have used our research since 2012.
DevOps Engineer at Infor
Helps in deploying our applications and infrastructure across different regions
What is our primary use case?
We're using CloudFormation to deploy our Lambdas and infrastructure. We set up the configuration using the CloudFormation template.
How has it helped my organization?
Using AWS CloudFormation as our cloud service provider is helpful for us in deploying our applications and infrastructure.
What is most valuable?
AWS CloudFormation is very helpful for deploying resources across different regions, such as the US, EU, or Asia. With CloudFormation, we can utilize a single template to deploy resources across multiple areas, providing flexibility and ease of management.
What needs improvement?
Manual updates are sometimes deployed, leading to errors or disruptions when attempting to modify or tear them down. These issues can be stressful to address
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable.
I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution’s scalability is good. 30-40 people are using this solution.
I rate the solution’s scalability a ten out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is fast.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were using GitLab or SAP pipeline.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy and takes 10-20 minutes to complete.
I rate the initial setup a nine out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy.
What other advice do I have?
With AWS CloudFormation, whenever we encounter an issue, we don't need to update it manually in the console. We use templates and can quickly deploy them to other regions. By deploying without manual intervention in the console, CloudFormation helps to minimize human error and mistakes
Since numerous AWS services are available, if we ever find a particular feature missing, such as the CloudFormation service, we can explore alternative AWS services that offer that feature. Alternatively, if we don't see a feature available or need guidance, we can ask AWS support for advice on their solutions.
I advise you to look for available documentation. There's a lot of information on how to set up the configuration and the template.
Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
AWS Cloud Engineer/Cloud Architect at Landmark Technologies
Automated solution that facilitates sharing and deploying infrastructure configurations across different environments
Pros and Cons
- "It allows defining the infrastructure as code using templates, which describe the desired state of the infrastructure."
- "AWS CloudFormation allows you to use the code templates written in JSON and YAML, but not directly in Python. Adding this feature would be beneficial."
What is our primary use case?
It helps to automate the process of creating and managing AWS resources. It allows defining the infrastructure as code using templates, which describe the desired state of the infrastructure. This approach makes it easy to replicate environments, track changes, and perform repeatable deployments.
How has it helped my organization?
It enables fast and efficient deployment of AWS resources and configurations through code templates. It facilitates sharing and deploying infrastructure configurations across different environments and locations. It provides automated resource management, allowing for updates and rollbacks to be easily managed.
What is most valuable?
Its infrastructure as code approach is the most valuable.
What needs improvement?
AWS CloudFormation allows you to use the code templates written in JSON and YAML, but not directly in Python. Adding this feature would be beneficial. You may use Python alongside CloudFormation for enhanced automation and management capabilities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using it for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It offers good stability. I would rate it eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability capabilities eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was relatively straightforward.
What was our ROI?
We witnessed a return on investment.
What other advice do I have?
It provides assurance and confidence in the deployment of the environment, due to its infrastructure as code mode. It allows easy tracking of the changes, reviewing configurations, and ensuring that it aligns with requirements and best practices. I would rate it nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Cloud Delivery Architect at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Can roll back to a previous stack in case of a bad update
Pros and Cons
- "Since AWS CloudFormation integrates well with the AWS platform, it facilitates faster deployment. Building templates for AWS services within the solution is also straightforward, making the process easier."
- "The product should be made cloud-agnostic, allowing users to deploy the same environment with minimal tweaks across different cloud platforms, similar to Terraform. Additionally, it would be beneficial to have the ability to manage templates outside of the AWS environment."
What is our primary use case?
AWS CloudFormation is infrastructure as Code specific to AWS. It allows companies invested in AWS to codify their infrastructure, enabling faster deployment, tracking drift, and gaining visibility into the environment through the templates. This facilitates easy deployment in different regions.
What is most valuable?
Since AWS CloudFormation integrates well with the AWS platform, it facilitates faster deployment. Building templates for AWS services within the solution is also straightforward, making the process easier.
I would say the versioning feature is particularly useful. Ensuring that we have the right version and being able to track changes made by enabling versioning is valuable. Additionally, the ability to roll back to a previous stack in case of a bad update is good.
We primarily utilize AWS S3 buckets for large-scale deployments to store and maintain our templates. We keep a copy of the templates in a restricted bucket. We deploy these templates using AWS CloudFormation, which provides a console for quick deployment. During deployment, we can monitor the provisioning results and quickly make any necessary changes.
What needs improvement?
The product should be made cloud-agnostic, allowing users to deploy the same environment with minimal tweaks across different cloud platforms, similar to Terraform. Additionally, it would be beneficial to have the ability to manage templates outside of the AWS environment.
How are customer service and support?
You need an enterprise agreement with AWS, meaning your company pays for the services. AWS delivers daily responses in the production environment, typically within five to ten minutes. However, in non-production environments, it might take up to 24 hours. Therefore, there could be delays in non-production environments, which may pause operations for a while.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Primarily, I use Terraform because I work across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms. Terraform is more portable across different cloud providers than AWS CloudFormation, which is specific to AWS.
How was the initial setup?
The tool's deployment depends on the person's knowledge and experience, but overall, I find it pretty easy to set up. Additionally, AWS offers various templates for various services within its platform. It doesn't require many resources to deploy. It does require some maintenance in terms of adding and removing resources or adjusting the environment to meet current specifications. However, maintaining the software or the template backbone falls within AWS's purview.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool is free for the AWS environment.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend AWS CloudFormation to any company that is heavily invested in AWS. However, for companies operating across multiple clouds or adopting a hybrid on-premise and cloud solution, I would not recommend it. I rate the overall product a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Arquitecto consultor cloud AWS at Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Streamlined infrastructure management with simple language and effective diagramming
Pros and Cons
- "CloudFormation has helped automate the infrastructure in AWS, making the process more efficient."
- "It's not that easy to use, but I can learn very fast."
What is our primary use case?
I am using CloudFormation to automate the infrastructure of AWS.
How has it helped my organization?
CloudFormation has helped automate the infrastructure in AWS, making the process more efficient.
What is most valuable?
I like CloudFormation because the language is very simple, and it has a very good graphical interface for diagramming my infrastructure.
What needs improvement?
It's not that easy to use, but I can learn very fast.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using CloudFormation for about two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have not had any problems with the stability of CloudFormation.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend CloudFormation to others who use AWS solely. It is very useful for AWS-specific tasks.
I would rate it an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Oct 31, 2024
Flag as inappropriateCloud Competency Manager at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees
Quick setup, saves time, and offers template validation
Pros and Cons
- "The ability to quickly run up CloudFormation in AWS and the template validation function are the most valuable features."
- "Improving the quality of support would be helpful."
What is our primary use case?
We are currently using AWS CloudFormation to build the infrastructure stack for customers.
How has it helped my organization?
AWS CloudFormation enables a copy of infrastructure to be set up AWS, saving time in our daily routine.
What is most valuable?
The ability to quickly run up CloudFormation in AWS and the template validation function are the most valuable features.
What needs improvement?
The ability to convert it easily to other code which can be used for on-premises infrastructure would be a beneficial improvement.
Also, improving the quality of support would be helpful.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using AWS CloudFormation ever since the last time we spoke.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability is rated ten out of ten. It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is rated eight out of ten, indicating it is pretty scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support from Amazon is rated seven out of ten. The response time and quality of support could be improved.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup requires a certain level of basic knowledge to leverage it. The basic setup can be done in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
CloudFormation itself is not priced. The service will enable you to spin up infrastructure, which gets priced as part of the AWS license.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Azure is a main competitor on the market, particularly dedicated to the Azure Stack.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Last updated: Sep 29, 2024
Flag as inappropriateAWS Cloud Support Engineer at Applied Cloud Computing
Reduces the time needed to create AWS resources, but should improve the auto-generation of files
Pros and Cons
- "AWS Cloud automation reduces the time needed to create AWS resources."
- "It would help all users if AWS improved the auto-generation of the CloudFormation file."
What is our primary use case?
AWS Cloud automation supports the creation of only AWS resources, and we use it to reduce the time needed to create resources. We create template files inside AWS CloudFormation to create multiple resources in AWS, such as EC2, S3, RDS, or Lambda functions. When we apply those files, the resources are created parallelly, reducing the time needed to create them.
What is most valuable?
AWS Cloud automation reduces the time needed to create AWS resources.
What needs improvement?
When I used AWS CloudFormation, I wrote the CloudFormation file. It would help all users if AWS improved the auto-generation of the CloudFormation file.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using AWS CloudFormation for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have not faced any issues with the solution’s stability.
I rate the solution an eight out of ten for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Around 10 to 15 users are using the solution in our organization.
How are customer service and support?
The solution's technical support is faster and better than that of other cloud providers.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup is neither easy nor difficult.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
AWS CloudFormation's pricing is cheaper than that of other cloud providers.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend AWS CloudFormation to other users.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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I appreciate AWS CloudFormation for its robust capabilities in simplifying and automating complex infrastructure management tasks, thereby significantly enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the likelihood of errors. Its intuitive interface allows for seamless collaboration among team members, fostering a cohesive environment for project development and deployment. Additionally, CloudFormation's extensive integration with a diverse array of AWS services empowers users to create comprehensive infrastructure setups tailored to their specific needs, while its inherent scalability ensures adaptability to projects of varying sizes and complexities. With features designed to streamline resource dependency management and enable version control through tools like Git, CloudFormation facilitates agile development processes and ensures the reproducibility of environments, promoting consistency and reliability across deployments. Overall, CloudFormation stands out as a versatile and indispensable tool for modern cloud infrastructure management, offering unparalleled flexibility and control to users seeking to optimize their AWS deployments.