Developer Tools · head to head
Ansible vs Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Ansible the open source project gives the engine and the language; the automation controller, automation mesh, automation hub, analytics and governance all belong to the paid Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: Ansible covers Playbooks, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ansible and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ansible | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, Mac, Api | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Category | Developer Tools | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 2012 | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Ansible
- Playbooks
- Inventory management
- Module library
- Variables and templating
- Handlers
- Roles
- Async tasks
- Plugins
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ansible
- Configuration managementnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Server provisioningnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Application deploymentnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Multi-node managementnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Orchestrationnot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot Ansible
- Internet Securitynot Ansible
- Parental Controlnot Ansible
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Ansible
- The open source project gives the engine and the language; the automation controller, automation mesh, automation hub, analytics and governance all belong to the paid Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform
- Event-Driven Ansible and the AI coding assistant are platform features rather than open source ones
- Red Hat does not publish platform pricing
- Running open source Ansible at scale means building the control plane the platform otherwise provides
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Pricing, plan by plan
Ansible
Free- Open SourceFree
- Community edition
- Unlimited nodes
- Full functionality
- Ansible Automation Platform$5000/year
- Enterprise support
- Ansible Tower
- Advanced features
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose Ansible if
- You need playbooks.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Api.
- You also want inventory management.
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Ansible or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ansible starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ansible or Kaspersky Total Security?
- Ansible starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free.
- Does Ansible or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
- Ansible runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Api. Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Ansible for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Ansible best used for?
- Ansible is most often used for configuration management, server provisioning, application deployment, multi-node management. Of those, configuration management and server provisioning are not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Ansible do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- Ansible covers Playbooks, Inventory management, Module library, Variables and templating. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Both handle Cloud deployment.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Ansible: Is Ansible free for commercial use?
Ansible Collaborative is open source. The page describes it as 'an open source IT automation engine' and does not impose restrictions on commercial use for the open source version.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceAnsible: What is the difference between open source Ansible and the commercial alternative?
The page references Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform as an enterprise alternative to Ansible Collaborative, but does not disclose specific differences, pricing, or feature comparisons between the two offerings.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceAnsible: Is there paid support available for Ansible?
The page does not disclose whether paid support contracts are available for open source Ansible or whether Red Hat offers support plans for their enterprise Ansible Automation Platform.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
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