Chef vs Terraform:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Terraform had more branded searches than Chef among configuration management platforms worldwide. Terraform had about 246,000 branded searches, while Chef had 320. Terraform made up 61% of all configuration management platform searches we track, and Chef accounted for 0.08%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about configuration management platforms, Chef appeared in all five answers and Terraform in four. Chef was mentioned before Terraform in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Terraform, about 769 searches for every 1 for Chef
Who does AI mention more?
Chef, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Chef, named ahead of Terraform in 4 of 5 answers
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Top configuration management platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Chef appeared in all five answers. Terraform was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Chef was listed before Terraform in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Ansible5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Salt5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Chef5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Puppet5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Terraform4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rundeck0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about configuration management platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which configuration management tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best configuration management tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best configuration management tool for server automation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“configuration management tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“infrastructure automation tools”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Chef or Terraform more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chef and Terraform by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six configuration management platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Terraform, Chef. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Terraform | Ansible | Rundeck | Salt | Chef | Puppet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 61.5% | 33.7% | 3.7% | 0.9% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Nov 2025 | 61.1% | 33.5% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.22% | 0.18% |
| Dec 2025 | 61.4% | 33.7% | 3.7% | 0.9% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.8% | 33.4% | 4.5% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Feb 2026 | 60.8% | 33.4% | 4.5% | 1.1% | 0.15% | 0.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 61.2% | 33.6% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.12% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 60.5% | 33.2% | 4.5% | 1.6% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 61.3% | 33.7% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 61% | 33.5% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 0.06% | 0.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 65.5% | 29.3% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 0.07% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 61% | 33.4% | 4.5% | 0.88% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 61% | 33.5% | 4.5% | 0.89% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
How has the Chef and Terraform comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Terraform was ahead of Chef in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chef’s share of searches among configuration management platforms worldwide moved from 0.12% to 0.08%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Terraform’s share of searches among configuration management platforms worldwide moved from 61.5% to 61%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for configuration management platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chef’s and Terraform’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among configuration management platforms
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