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IBM Cloud vs Packer

IBM Cloud logo

IBM Cloud

Software

Enterprise cloud solutions from a trusted partner

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Packer

Software

Build automated machine images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IBM Cloud the USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only; Packer packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • They diverge on capability: IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Packer covers Image building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IBM Cloud and Packer actually diverge.

Attributes where IBM Cloud and Packer differ
AttributeIBM CloudPacker
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Api, CliLinux, Windows, Mac

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2013).

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 IBM Cloud

  • Virtual Servers
  • Bare Metal
  • Cloud Foundry
  • Kubernetes
  • Watson AI
  • Blockchain
  • Databases
  • API Gateway

Only in Packer

  • Image building
  • Multi-platform support
  • Provisioners
  • Builders
  • Post-processors
  • Variables
  • Data sources
  • Validation

Both cover

  • Terraform
  • Ansible
  • Docker
  • Cloud deployment
  • On-premise deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

IBM Cloud

  • Running containerized and VM workloads on IBM's public cloudnot Packer
  • Building on Watson APIs and IBM middleware as managed servicesnot Packer

Packer

  • Building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one templatenot IBM Cloud
  • Baking golden AMIs and VM images into a CI pipelinenot IBM Cloud
  • Creating immutable infrastructure artifacts consumed by Terraformnot IBM Cloud

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

IBM Cloud

  • The USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
  • The larger promotional credits are time boxed: USD 1,000 for Bare Metal Servers for VPC over 120 days, USD 2,500 for Power Virtual Server over 90 days, and USD 5,000 for Backup and Recovery over 90 days
  • The USD 5,000 Backup and Recovery promotion is valid for new clients only and requires a checkout promo code
  • The listed promotions carry an expiry date of 31 December 2026
  • Beyond the free tier the account is pay as you go, so cost tracks usage with no published cap

Packer

  • Packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • The Additional Use Grant forbids offering Packer to third parties on a hosted or embedded basis in a paid product that competes with IBM's paid versions of Packer
  • Each version converts to the MPL 2.0 Change License only four years after that version is first published, and the Change Date is set separately per version
  • Alternative licensing for uses outside the grant must be arranged with the licensor rather than taken under the public licence

Pricing, plan by plan

IBM Cloud

Free
  • Lite PlanFree
    • Free services
    • Limited resources
    • 30-day trial
  • Standard PlanFree
    • Pay-as-you-go
    • Enterprise support
    • Advanced services

Packer

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Multi-platform image building
    • Template-driven
    • Provisioner support

Which should you pick?

Choose IBM Cloud if

  • You need virtual servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want bare metal.
IBM Cloud review

Choose Packer if

  • You need image building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac.
  • You also want multi-platform support.
Packer review

Questions people ask

Is IBM Cloud or Packer better?
Neither clearly leads. IBM Cloud starts at Free and Packer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IBM Cloud or Packer?
IBM Cloud starts at Free and Packer at Free.
Does IBM Cloud or Packer run on more platforms?
IBM Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli. Packer runs on Linux, Windows, Mac.
Can I use IBM Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is IBM Cloud best used for?
IBM Cloud is most often used for running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud, building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services. Of those, running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud and building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services are not what Packer is typically brought in for.
What can IBM Cloud do that Packer cannot?
IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Bare Metal, Cloud Foundry, Kubernetes. Packer covers Image building, Multi-platform support, Provisioners, Builders. Both handle Terraform, Ansible, Docker, Cloud deployment.
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