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HashiCorp Terraform pros and cons

Vendor: HashiCorp
4.3 out of 5

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

HashiCorp Terraform allows for significant time savings and efficiency increases through automation in setting up infrastructure across various environments and platforms.
It supports a broad spectrum of platforms including cloud, data centers, and various storage types, enhancing flexibility in deployment and operations.
The infrastructure can be coded, shared, and updated easily, promoting consistent and predictable deployments and facilitating collaboration among teams.
HashiCorp Terraform is highly stable and ensures secure provisioning of infrastructure, which is crucial for maintaining operational continuity and reducing outages.
It offers extensive integrations and the ability to use custom and open-source modules, making it adaptable and efficient for specific needs while reducing costs.

CONS

HashiCorp Terraform could benefit from more programming language-relevant features, including improved error logging and more functions and expressions.
There are issues with current VPN configurations, particularly when dealing with multiple rules and virtual private clouds.
HashiCorp Terraform should support YAML language and incorporate a GUI to streamline command memorization.
Automation and import processes could be improved to better handle manual environments and resource groups.
HashiCorp Terraform's reliance on open-source plugins can introduce security vulnerabilities and inconsistencies due to varying levels of developer expertise.
 

HashiCorp Terraform Pros review quotes

Eryk Lawyd - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 5, 2023
It is the customization of Terraform's modules that I find most valuable.
UsmanAhmad - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 23, 2024
Terraform is that it is an open-source tool that gives us great flexibility. Using the Terraform HCL, we are not restricted to a single cloud provider. If my client asks me to deploy the same infrastructure on Azure or GCP, I can use the same code with minor modifications to account for the different providers. This means we are not limited to a specific cloud.
reviewer1980198 - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 4, 2022
The concept of infrastructure as code is quite intriguing. We have an infrastructure in our code and a state file where we can verify whether something is changed when it was changed, and who changed it. When we use Terraform, these kinds of things fascinate us.
Learn what your peers think about HashiCorp Terraform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
VR
Apr 1, 2023
One of the most valuable features is that it offers the ability to create a VPC, Virtual Private Cloud and VPN connectivity to the VPC can be automated without having to do it manually.
Patryk Golabek - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 27, 2023
The valuable features of HashiCorp Terraform are the infrastructure can be written, shared, and collaborated on using code, which speeds up deployment. Additionally, bugs and issues can be fixed in the code and redeployed, making it less risky. It is a more efficient method compared to the traditional approach of writing scripts to set up infrastructure.
Rakib Mahmood - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 1, 2022
Provides automation which has increased our efficiency.
Tony-Kerr - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 28, 2024
Terraform has extensive integrations across various platforms. It includes modules that enhance functionality and support for secure practices, such as Terraform Sentinel, which offers code analysis capabilities.
AP
Nov 13, 2020
I like the function that shows me a preview of what is happening in the infrastructure.
Sibin John - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 29, 2023
The most valuable features of the solution are its simplicity of SQL language, its compatibility with multiple cloud providers, and its modules like the open source modules available, especially considering the fact that I work mainly on AWS.
RishabhSharma3 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 5, 2024
The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the modules it offers.
 

HashiCorp Terraform Cons review quotes

Eryk Lawyd - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 5, 2023
Terraform could create more examples in the documentation.
UsmanAhmad - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 23, 2024
Terraform does not provide an automatic feature to convert infrastructure code from one cloud platform to another.
reviewer1980198 - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 4, 2022
I would want to see more programmatic capabilities implemented, such as if, else, and simple to manage things in terms of how I can use some programming functions to assist us to achieve more. I would like to have programming language-relevant features, to have programming language be the primary way.
Learn what your peers think about HashiCorp Terraform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
VR
Apr 1, 2023
I still struggle a bit when configuring VPNs when we have multiple rules. If we have five or six virtual private clouds and we have to give rights between those multiple VPCs, we can have big problems. I think it was a learning curve and then we improved it.
Patryk Golabek - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 27, 2023
HashiCorp Terraform is an open-source tool that relies on external developers to create plugins to expand its capabilities. However, this approach can be problematic as not all plugins are created by professionals and some may have security vulnerabilities. In the case of GKE, Google has created a solid plugin, but for other services, one must search for plugins on the HashiCorp Terraform registry, which can be hit or miss, as many plugins are created by students or hobbyists, who may not continue to maintain or update them. This model of open-sourced plugins may not be the most reliable or secure way of expanding the tool's capabilities.
Rakib Mahmood - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 1, 2022
Terraform lacks in running script.
Tony-Kerr - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 28, 2024
Terraform should monitor the backend storage more closely. You can handle it within Azure, but HashiCorp should release a dedicated tool to protect those secrets and ensure they're fully encrypted.
AP
Nov 13, 2020
If you are copying something from a well running machine to a remote machine, there are some issues with the current version, but it is acceptable.
Sibin John - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 29, 2023
From a user's perspective, it would be great if a UI tool is made available in the open source version as well, but I don't think it may be introduced because of the high costs for it announced by HashiCorp in its licensed version...HashiCorp Terraform can improve backward compatibility.
RishabhSharma3 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 5, 2024
The product's initial setup phase was easy.