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Scalr is a Terraform Cloud replacement and GitOps control plane that charges by run, rather than by users, resources or concurrency. That model can suit teams tracking drift across workspaces, but it is worth comparing against tools with different automation scopes, deployment models and pricing. Our shortlist includes open-source automation, infrastructure-as-code tools and hosted control planes. Before switching, check each vendor’s API and SDK documentation, model costs against your run volume, and plan how to move existing configuration and workflows.
01Why people leave Scalr
Run-based bills need forecasting
Scalr charges by run. Teams with frequent plans and applies should model their expected run volume before choosing it.
Terraform focus may be narrow
Teams seeking broader system configuration or automation may prefer a tool built for those workflows.
A hosted control plane adds dependency
Teams prioritizing open-source software or deployment flexibility should compare Scalr with tools that offer those options.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Open-source automation
SaltSaltSalt is the clearest fit if you want open-source infrastructure automation rather than a Terraform-focused control plane. Its states, grains and pillars support a broader automation approach, but changing workflows will take more than moving workspace settings. The listed price is n/a with a free plan; verify commercial pricing, production limits, API and SDK support, and the licence terms before adopting it.
Trade-off: Its scope and operating model differ from Terraform workspace management.
6.8/10from
Freefree plan - Terraform CLI
TerraformTerraformTerraform is the direct choice if you want to retain Terraform configuration while changing the collaboration layer. The CLI is listed from $0.1 with a free plan, and HCP collaboration is available; assess resource-based bills against your actual usage. Check current API and SDK documentation, and plan how to move workspace state and automation without assuming Scalr workflows transfer unchanged.
Trade-off: Resource-based bills may be less predictable than run-based pricing.
7.6/10from
$0.10/mofree plan - Infrastructure in code
PulumiPulumiPulumi suits teams that want to build infrastructure with familiar programming languages and share reusable components. Its listed starting price is $40 with a free plan. That shift can mean rewriting Terraform configurations and taking on additional code complexity. Review the vendor’s API and SDK coverage, pricing at your expected usage, and deployment options before committing.
Trade-off: Programming-language workflows add code and migration work.
7.3/10from
$40/mofree plan - IaC control plane
SpaceliftSpaceliftSpacelift is a closer control-plane alternative for platform teams governing infrastructure as code, with policy, drift management and Day 2 workflows. The listed starting price is $399 with a free plan; compare the bill at your team’s actual scale. It offers self-hosting options, but assess deployment requirements, API and SDK support, and how existing Scalr policies and workflows would move.
Trade-off: The listed entry price is higher than several alternatives.
7.6/10from
$399/mofree plan - Configuration enforcement
PuppetPuppetPuppet is worth considering when the goal is persistent configuration enforcement across nodes, rather than managing Terraform runs alone. It has a free plan and is listed as a fit for teams with fewer than 25 nodes; commercial pricing is custom. Check integration and API details with the vendor, and account for translating infrastructure workflows into configuration-management practices.
Trade-off: Custom commercial pricing and integration details need vendor review.
6.2/10from
Freefree plan - Enterprise Ansible
Red Hat Ansible Automation PlatformRed Hat Ansible Automation PlatformRed Hat Ansible Automation Platform fits teams standardizing enterprise Ansible, curating private collections and execution environments, or centralizing automation. Pricing is not listed, so ask Red Hat for a quote based on your deployment and usage. Compare its API and SDK options with your needs, and expect migration work if your current process depends on Terraform workspaces and Scalr-specific workflows.
Trade-off: Pricing is opaque, and operational complexity can make adoption harder.
6.2/10from
Custom - Hybrid provisioning
QualiQualiQuali’s Torque platform targets governed self-service provisioning and hybrid-cloud infrastructure operations. The listed starting price is $19 with a free plan, but assess the full cost against your environment and provisioning volume. It is a less direct replacement for Terraform workspace management; verify API and SDK support, deployment options and how your current configuration maps to Torque.
Trade-off: Its hybrid provisioning focus may not match Terraform-centric workflows.
7.0/10from
$19/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Scalr Scalr (current) | 8.0 | $0.99/mo | Yes | Teams replacing Terraform Cloud |
| Salt Salt | 6.8 | Free | Yes | Teams automating remote system management |
| Terraform Terraform | 7.6 | $0.10/mo | Yes | Teams managing cloud infrastructure as code |
| Pulumi Pulumi | 7.3 | $40/mo | Yes | Teams with software engineering skills |
| Spacelift Spacelift | 7.6 | $399/mo | Yes | Platform teams standardizing IaC |
| Puppet Puppet | 6.2 | Free | Yes | Teams enforcing node configuration |
| Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform | 6.2 | Custom | No | Teams standardizing enterprise Ansible |
| Quali Quali | 7.0 | $19/mo | Yes | Platform teams governing self-service infrastructure |
Questions people ask
What are some tools similar to Terraform?
Pulumi is an infrastructure-as-code option for teams using programming languages. Spacelift provides an IaC control plane, while Salt and Puppet focus on broader automation and configuration enforcement. The right fit depends on whether you need Terraform workflows, a governance layer, or system configuration.
What is a Scalr workspace?
Scalr is described as supporting drift tracking across workspaces, but the workspace’s exact state, settings and lifecycle are not specified here. Check Scalr’s documentation before mapping workspaces to another product. In particular, confirm how state, variables, policy and run history are handled during migration.
What is Terraform Cloud called now, and how much does Terraform cost?
The listed Terraform offering includes HCP collaboration. Check HashiCorp’s current documentation for the exact Terraform Cloud naming and migration guidance. The listed Terraform starting price is $0.1 with a free plan, and resource-based billing means your actual cost depends on usage.