Software · head to head
Ansible vs Vim
Vim
Software
Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; Vim configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings
- They diverge on capability: Ansible covers Playbooks, Vim covers Modal editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ansible and Vim actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Vim
- Modal editing
- Extensive customization
- Plugin support
- Macro recording
- Split windows
- Syntax highlighting
- Search and replace
- Command history
Both cover
- Linux support
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ansible
- Configuration managementnot Vim
- Server provisioningnot Vim
- Application deploymentnot Vim
- Multi-node managementnot Vim
- Orchestrationnot Vim
Vim
- Code editingnot Ansible
- Configuration filesnot Ansible
- System administrationnot Ansible
- Remote editingnot Ansible
- Terminal-based developmentnot 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
Vim
- Configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings
- Requires browsing documentation to modify even basic settings
- Lacks sensible defaults for many common configurations
- Plugin ecosystem stability varies widely depending on custom configuration complexity
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
Vim
Free- FreeFree
- Powerful text editing
- Extensive customization
- Plugin ecosystem
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 Vim if
- You need modal editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows.
- You also want extensive customization.
Questions people ask
- Is Ansible or Vim better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ansible starts at Free and Vim at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ansible or Vim?
- Ansible starts at Free and Vim at Free.
- Does Ansible or Vim run on more platforms?
- Ansible runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Api. Vim runs on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows.
- 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 Vim is typically brought in for.
- What can Ansible do that Vim cannot?
- Ansible covers Playbooks, Inventory management, Module library, Variables and templating. Vim covers Modal editing, Extensive customization, Plugin support, Macro recording. Both handle Linux support, Windows support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Vim: Is Vim free and open source?
Yes, Vim is free and open source, distributed under a charityware license. The creator requested donations to ICCF Holland, a non-profit supporting AIDS victims in Uganda. All donations are forwarded to ICCF.
SourceVim: What platforms does Vim support?
Vim runs on Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS, BSD), Windows (7, 8, 10, 11), VMS, and is available through package managers or standalone installation on all major operating systems.
SourceVim: Who maintains Vim now?
Vim was created by Bram Moolenaar, who passed away on August 3, 2023. Christian Brabandt is the current lead maintainer, and the project continues with volunteer contributors.
SourceRelated pages
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