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Software · head to head

Packer vs Palo Alto Networks

P

Packer

Software

Build automated machine images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Palo Alto Networks logo

Palo Alto Networks

Software

Enterprise cybersecurity platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Packer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model
  • They diverge on capability: Packer covers Image building, Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Packer and Palo Alto Networks actually diverge.

Attributes where Packer and Palo Alto Networks differ
AttributePackerPalo Alto Networks
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, MacCloud, On-premises, Hybrid
Founded20132005

Identical on both: 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 Packer

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

Only in Palo Alto Networks

  • Advanced threat prevention
  • Threat detection and response
  • Cloud security
  • Endpoint protection
  • Network security
  • API protection
  • Incident response
  • Threat intelligence

Both cover

  • AWS
  • Azure
  • On-premise deployment
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Packer

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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise network security and threat protectionnot Packer
  • Cloud-native application protectionnot Packer
  • Identity and access securitynot Packer
  • Security operations and incident responsenot Packer

Where each one falls short

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

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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise-focused pricing model
  • Complex implementation required

Pricing, plan by plan

Packer

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

Palo Alto Networks

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Threat prevention
    • Detection and response
    • Cloud security

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Palo Alto Networks if

  • You need advanced threat prevention.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want threat detection and response.
Palo Alto Networks review

Questions people ask

Is Packer or Palo Alto Networks better?
Neither clearly leads. Packer starts at Free and Palo Alto Networks at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Packer or Palo Alto Networks?
Packer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Packer and On request for Palo Alto Networks.
Does Packer or Palo Alto Networks run on more platforms?
Packer runs on Linux, Windows, Mac. Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
Can I use Packer for free?
Yes. Packer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Palo Alto Networks starts at On request.
What is Packer best used for?
Packer is most often used for building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one template, baking golden amis and vm images into a ci pipeline, creating immutable infrastructure artifacts consumed by terraform. Of those, building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one template and baking golden amis and vm images into a ci pipeline are not what Palo Alto Networks is typically brought in for.
What can Packer do that Palo Alto Networks cannot?
Packer covers Image building, Multi-platform support, Provisioners, Builders. Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. Both handle AWS, Azure, On-premise deployment, Cloud deployment.
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