Terraform

Terraform, published by HashiCorp (an IBM company), is the reference infrastructure as code (IaC) tool. It lets you describe cloud infrastructure in configuration files, then create, change and destroy it reproducibly, across hundreds of providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and more).

What is Terraform used for?

Terraform is used to manage infrastructure as code: versioned, reviewed and replayable. Rather than clicking through consoles, teams describe servers, networks and services in files, and Terraform applies changes while handling dependencies. It is a pillar of modern DevOps practices, often paired with Kubernetes and clouds like AWS.

Terraform alone or with HCP Terraform?

The command-line tool is free and enough for individual use. For teamwork (shared state, history, controls), the managed HCP Terraform offering adds collaboration and governance, with a free tier then paid based on the number of managed resources.

How much does Terraform cost?

Terraform's command line is open source and free. The managed HCP Terraform offering has a free tier (up to a certain number of resources), then paid Standard and Enterprise plans billed by resources and governance features.