A DevOps tools chart looks simple at first glance: one lane for CI, another for testing, then deployments, monitoring, and everything else neatly arranged from commit to production. In real environments, the picture rarely stays that tidy. Tools overlap, older systems remain in place longer than planned, and new platforms usually get added on top rather than replacing anything. Over time, pipelines turn into ecosystems where each component solves only one part of a much broader delivery puzzle.
This is why charts like these are useful. They help visualize the moving parts that quietly support the entire release cycle — build engines, artifact repositories, cloud runtimes, observability layers, and security mechanisms. A chart does not dictate which product to choose; it simply shows where each category fits and how the pieces interact as software moves through the pipeline. Once the structure becomes visible, it becomes easier to understand what each tool contributes and why it occupies a specific place in the workflow.
1. AppFirst
AppFirst is structured around an application-first approach to infrastructure, placing the definition of application requirements at the center of its delivery model. Instead of working directly with low-level cloud configuration, the platform interprets what an application needs in practical terms – compute capacity, networking, databases, and container images. These requirements guide how the underlying cloud infrastructure is provisioned and managed behind the scenes.
The platform aims to reduce repetitive infrastructure tasks by integrating core operational elements into the default setup. Logging, monitoring, security controls, and audit trails are built in rather than assembled as separate components. AppFirst is designed to operate consistently across AWS, Azure, and GCP, allowing organizations to maintain the same infrastructure model even when cloud environments differ or evolve.
Key Highlights:
- Application-level infrastructure definition
- Automated provisioning across multiple cloud providers
- Built-in logging, monitoring, and alerting
- Centralized audit logs for infrastructure changes
- Cost visibility by application and environment
- SaaS and self-hosted deployment options
Services:
- Infrastructure provisioning based on defined application requirements
- Security baseline enforcement and compliance support
- Operational monitoring and observability
- Cost tracking and infrastructure usage reporting
- Multi-cloud infrastructure management
Contact Information:
- Website: www.appfirst.dev
2. GitHub
GitHub operates as a code hosting and collaboration platform that sits at the center of many DevOps toolchains. The platform is commonly used to manage source code, track changes, and coordinate work across distributed teams. In a DevOps tools chart, GitHub typically appears at the code and collaboration layer, where planning, development, and review activities intersect before automation and delivery steps begin.
Beyond version control, the platform brings together workflows that connect code creation with automation, security, and deployment. CI and CD processes are often handled through built-in automation features, while security checks and dependency updates run alongside regular development tasks. This tight coupling between code, automation, and review helps reduce context switching and keeps delivery activities closer to the source of change.
Key Highlights:
- Centralized source code hosting and version control
- Pull requests and code review workflows
- Integrated CI and CD automation
- Built-in issue tracking and project planning tools
- Native support for security scanning and dependency checks
- Large ecosystem of integrations and extensions
Services:
- Source code management
- Continuous integration and workflow automation
- Code review and collaboration
- Security analysis and vulnerability detection
- Dependency management and update automation
Contact Information:
- Website: github.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/github
- Twitter: x.com/github
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/github
3. GitLab
GitLab functions as an integrated DevSecOps platform that brings source code management, CI and CD, security checks, and delivery workflows into a single environment. Within a DevOps tools chart, GitLab usually spans several layers at once, covering code management, pipeline automation, and security processes without relying on a large number of external tools.
The platform is structured around the idea of keeping the full software lifecycle visible and traceable from code commit through deployment. CI and CD pipelines are defined alongside the codebase, while security scanning and compliance checks are embedded directly into those workflows. This setup reduces handoffs between systems and keeps development, operations, and security activities aligned within the same interface.
Key Highlights:
- Unified platform for source control, CI, CD, and security
- Built-in pipeline automation from commit to production
- Native security scanning integrated into delivery workflows
- Support for DevSecOps practices without separate tooling
- Centralized visibility into code, pipelines, and vulnerabilities
Services:
- Source code management and collaboration
- Continuous integration and deployment automation
- Application security testing and vulnerability tracking
- Compliance and audit support within pipelines
- Workflow visibility across the software lifecycle
Contact Information:
- Website: about.gitlab.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gitlab-com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gitlab
- Twitter: x.com/gitlab
4. Bitbucket
Bitbucket operates as a source code management and CI and CD platform within the Atlassian ecosystem. In a DevOps tools chart, Bitbucket is usually placed at the code management and pipeline execution layer, where version control, build automation, and deployment workflows connect closely with planning and tracking tools.
The platform is designed to keep code, pipelines, and team workflows aligned, especially in environments that already rely on Atlassian products. CI and CD processes are handled through built-in pipelines, while permissions, standards, and compliance rules can be enforced across repositories. Bitbucket also supports integration with external tools for testing, monitoring, and security, allowing teams to extend delivery workflows without replacing existing systems.
Key Highlights:
- Source code hosting with integrated CI and CD pipelines
- Tight integration with Jira and other Atlassian tools
- Support for cloud and self-hosted deployment models
- Repository-level access controls and policy enforcement
- Extensible integrations with third-party DevOps tools
Services:
- Version control and repository management
- Continuous integration and deployment pipelines
- Workflow and permission management
- Integration with issue tracking and planning tools
- CI and CD orchestration across teams and projects
Contact Information:
- Website: bitbucket.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Atlassian
- Twitter: x.com/bitbucket
5. Jenkins
Jenkins functions as an open source automation server commonly placed at the CI and CD execution layer in a DevOps tools chart. The platform is used to coordinate build, test, and deployment tasks across different environments and operating systems. Jenkins typically acts as an orchestrator rather than a full delivery platform, triggering jobs and connecting external tools into a single workflow.
The system is designed to be highly adaptable through its plugin-based architecture. Most pipeline behavior is defined through configuration and extensions, which allows teams to shape workflows around existing tools and infrastructure. This flexibility makes Jenkins suitable for varied environments, but it also means setup and ongoing maintenance are part of regular use.
Key Highlights:
- Open source automation server for CI and CD workflows
- Plugin-based architecture with broad tool integration
- Web-based interface for job configuration and monitoring
- Support for distributed builds across multiple machines
- Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Unix-based systems
Services:
- Build automation
- Test execution and reporting
- Deployment orchestration
- Pipeline scheduling and coordination
- Integration with external DevOps tools
Contact Information:
- Website: www.jenkins.io
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jenkins-project
- Twitter: x.com/jenkinsci
6. CircleCI
CircleCI operates as a cloud-based CI and CD platform focused on automated testing and pipeline execution. In a DevOps tools chart, CircleCI usually appears in the continuous integration layer, where code changes are validated and prepared for release through automated workflows.
The platform centers on running pipelines with minimal manual involvement. Configuration is handled through declarative files, and workloads are executed in isolated environments. CircleCI is often used in setups where teams prefer managed infrastructure for CI while keeping deployment targets flexible across cloud or on-premise systems.
Key Highlights:
- Cloud-based CI and CD pipeline execution
- Configuration-driven workflows
- Parallel and distributed job execution
- Support for container-based build environments
- Integration with version control platforms
Services:
- Continuous integration pipeline automation
- Automated testing workflows
- Build and artifact management
- Deployment job coordination
- Integration with cloud and container platforms
Contact Information:
- Website: circleci.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/circleci
- Twitter: x.com/circleci
7. Bamboo
Bamboo is a continuous delivery tool designed to manage build, test, and deployment pipelines within controlled environments. In a DevOps tools chart, Bamboo is commonly positioned at the delivery stage, where validated builds are promoted through environments toward production.
The platform emphasizes structured pipelines and traceability across development and release stages. Bamboo integrates closely with other Atlassian products, which allows code changes, build results, and deployment steps to be tracked across systems. It is typically deployed in self-managed environments where control over infrastructure and availability is required.
Key Highlights:
- Continuous delivery pipelines from code to deployment
- Support for self-hosted and data center deployments
- Built-in workflow automation and job orchestration
- High availability and resilience features
- Integration with Atlassian development tools
Services:
- Build and deployment pipeline management
- Release orchestration across environments
- Workflow automation for delivery stages
- Integration with version control and issue tracking
- Infrastructure-level control and monitoring
Contact Information:
- Website: www.atlassian.com
- Address: 350 Bush Street Floor 13 San Francisco, CA 94104 United States
- Phone Number: +1 415 701 1110
8. Tekton
Tekton is an open source framework for building CI and CD systems, typically used in Kubernetes-based environments. In a DevOps tools chart, Tekton is often placed at the pipeline execution layer, where build, test, and deployment steps are defined as reusable components and run inside a cluster. Pipelines can be triggered manually or tied to external events, such as a webhook from a source code platform.
The framework is designed to standardize how CI and CD tasks are described across different vendors and environments. It abstracts the underlying runtime details so workflows can be shaped around the needs of a team or platform setup, including cloud and on-premise deployments. Tekton is also positioned to work alongside other CI and CD tools, making it a common building block in setups that combine multiple systems.
Key Highlights:
- Open source framework for Kubernetes-native CI and CD
- Pipeline definitions built from reusable tasks
- Event-based pipeline triggers supported
- Standardized workflow approach across environments
- Designed to integrate with other CI and CD tools
Services:
- CI and CD pipeline framework setup
- Build and test task orchestration in Kubernetes
- Deployment workflow execution in clusters
- Event-triggered pipeline automation
- Integration support for broader delivery toolchains
Contact Information:
- Website: tekton.dev
9. Terraform
Terraform is an infrastructure as code tool used to define, version, and apply infrastructure changes through configuration files. In a DevOps tools chart, Terraform usually sits in the infrastructure provisioning layer, where teams manage cloud resources such as compute, storage, networking, and higher-level services in a repeatable way.
The tool supports workflows where infrastructure is treated like software, with changes reviewed, tracked, and rolled out through controlled steps. Terraform is commonly used across multiple cloud providers and can support both simple environments and large-scale provisioning with shared standards. The Terraform CLI and related platforms are used to apply changes and manage collaboration around infrastructure definitions.
Key Highlights:
- Infrastructure as code through configuration language
- Supports low-level and higher-level infrastructure resources
- Works across multiple cloud providers
- CLI-based workflows for planning and applying changes
- Emphasis on versioning and controlled infrastructure updates
Services:
- Infrastructure provisioning and change management
- Configuration-based environment setup
- Multi-cloud infrastructure definitions
- Infrastructure versioning and workflow support
- Team collaboration around infrastructure changes
Contact Information:
- Website: developer.hashicorp.com
10. Pulumi
Pulumi is an infrastructure as code platform that lets teams define cloud infrastructure using general-purpose programming languages. In a DevOps tools chart, Pulumi is typically grouped with provisioning and platform engineering tools, where infrastructure is managed through code and integrated into delivery workflows.
The platform supports writing infrastructure in languages such as TypeScript, Python, Go, C#, Java, and YAML, using common programming patterns like loops and functions. Pulumi also includes tooling aimed at governance and operations, such as secrets and configuration handling, policy controls, and broader visibility into infrastructure across cloud environments. These parts are often used by platform teams that want infrastructure definitions to behave more like application code, including testing and reuse.
Key Highlights:
- Infrastructure definitions written in common programming languages
- Support for reusable components and code-based workflows
- Secrets and configuration management tooling available
- Policy and governance features for infrastructure controls
- Multi-cloud focus across common cloud environments
Services:
- Infrastructure provisioning through code
- Reusable infrastructure component management
- Secrets and configuration handling
- Policy enforcement for infrastructure rules
- Infrastructure visibility and governance workflows
Contact Information:
- Website: www.pulumi.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pulumi
- Address: 601 Union St., Suite 1415 Seattle, WA 98101
- Twitter: x.com/pulumicorp
11. Azure Resource Manager
Azure Resource Manager is a deployment and management service used to organize and control resources in Microsoft Azure. In a DevOps tools chart, it usually sits in the infrastructure provisioning and governance layer, where teams define how Azure resources are deployed and managed. The service supports infrastructure as code through ARM templates and Bicep files, which describe resources, dependencies, and deployment behavior in a repeatable format.
Azure Resource Manager also covers ongoing resource management tasks that tend to show up after deployment, such as tagging, moving resources, locking resources, and working with resource providers. Troubleshooting and validation are part of the workflow as well, with documentation focused on common deployment errors and ways to diagnose template or Bicep issues.
Key Highlights:
- Azure deployment and resource management service
- Infrastructure as code support through ARM templates and Bicep
- Resource tagging, locks, and move operations
- Resource provider and subscription limit management
- Troubleshooting guidance for deployment issues
Services:
- Azure resource deployment orchestration
- Template-based infrastructure definition and rollout
- Resource governance through tags and locks
- Resource management operations across subscriptions
- Deployment troubleshooting and error handling
Contact Information:
- Website: azure.microsoft.com
- Phone Number: (800) 642 7676
12. Ansible
Ansible is an open source IT automation engine used for provisioning, configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration tasks. In a DevOps tools chart, it is usually placed in the automation and configuration layer, where repeatable operational work is defined as code and executed across systems. The tool is commonly used to manage both infrastructure setup and ongoing changes without relying on manual steps.
Ansible also supports a broader ecosystem of reusable content through collections and roles, often distributed through Ansible Galaxy. Development and testing tooling is part of the workflow, alongside options for event-driven automation through rulebooks and event sources. The enterprise offering is presented as a separate platform that packages upstream projects into a more controlled environment, but the core concept remains automation through playbooks and shared content.
Key Highlights:
- Open source automation engine for IT operations
- Coverage across provisioning, configuration, deployment, and orchestration
- Playbook-driven automation workflows
- Reusable roles and collections available through Ansible Galaxy
- Event-driven automation supported through rulebooks and event sources
Services:
- Provisioning and configuration automation
- Application deployment automation
- Orchestration of operational workflows
- Automation content reuse through roles and collections
- Event-driven automation execution
Contact Information:
- Website: www.redhat.com
13. Chef
Chef is positioned as an infrastructure operations platform that combines configuration, compliance, orchestration, and node management into a unified setup. In a DevOps tools chart, Chef is typically mapped to configuration management and compliance automation, with additional coverage in orchestration and operational workflow control. The platform is presented as able to execute jobs across different environments, including cloud, on-prem, hybrid, and restricted setups.
Chef focuses on policy-based automation as a way to standardize infrastructure configuration and run compliance checks on demand or on a schedule. It also supports workflow orchestration by integrating with other DevOps tools, which can place it between infrastructure management and release operations depending on how it is adopted. The product materials describe both UI-driven management and policy-as-code approaches, which suggests use in teams that want automation while keeping a centralized control plane.
Key Highlights:
- Infrastructure management with standardized configurations
- Continuous compliance auditing with standards-based content
- Workflow orchestration across integrated DevOps tools
- Job execution across cloud and on-prem environments
- Centralized platform for operational workflows and node management
Services:
- Configuration management automation
- Compliance scanning and audit workflows
- Job orchestration across environments
- Node and infrastructure operations management
- Integration-based workflow coordination
Contact Information:
- Website: www.chef.io
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chef-software
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/getchefdotcom
- Twitter: x.com/chef
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/chef_software
14. Puppet
Puppet is a desired state automation platform used for policy-driven configuration management across hybrid infrastructure. In a DevOps tools chart, it usually sits in the configuration and governance layer, where teams define the intended state of systems and enforce it across servers, networks, cloud resources, and edge environments. The platform centers on keeping infrastructure consistent over time, with controls that support repeatable changes and auditability.
Puppet also positions automation as part of a broader governance model, where policy enforcement and reporting are used to manage security and compliance expectations. It is commonly integrated into existing DevOps toolchains so configuration changes and operational tasks can align with deployment workflows, while still keeping centralized rules for how systems should look and behave.
Key Highlights:
- Desired state automation for configuration consistency
- Policy-driven enforcement across hybrid environments
- Coverage across servers, networks, cloud, and edge
- Audit reporting tied to policy and configuration changes
- Designed for integration into DevOps toolchains
Services:
- Configuration management automation
- Policy enforcement and infrastructure governance
- Compliance reporting and audit support
- Hybrid infrastructure automation workflows
- Integration with external DevOps tooling
Contact Information:
- Website: www.puppet.com
- Address: 400 First Avenue North #400 Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Phone Number: +1 612.517.2100
- Email: sales-request@perforce.com
15. Salt Project
Salt Project is an automation and infrastructure management project focused on orchestration, remote execution, and configuration management. In a DevOps tools chart, it is typically placed in the automation layer, where teams need to apply changes across many systems and coordinate operational tasks from a central point. The project is structured around managing infrastructure through automated actions rather than manual server-by-server work.
Salt emphasizes data-driven orchestration and remote execution as core capabilities, which supports both ad hoc operations and repeatable automation patterns. Documentation and learning resources focus on getting started quickly and building up practical automation skills, including platform concepts and guided workshop-style materials.
Key Highlights:
- Automation and infrastructure management project
- Remote execution for running actions across systems
- Orchestration for coordinating multi-step operations
- Configuration management capabilities included
- Learning resources and community participation channels
Services:
- Remote command execution and task automation
- Infrastructure orchestration workflows
- Configuration management automation
- Operational automation through repeatable routines
- Community-driven extensions and shared content
Contact Information:
- Website: saltproject.io
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/saltproject
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaltProjectOSS
- Twitter: x.com/Salt_Project_OS
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/saltproject_oss
16. Docker Hardened Images
Docker Hardened Images are container images designed to serve as hardened base images for building and running containerized software. In a DevOps tools chart, they usually appear in the container and supply chain security layer, where teams select base images and manage risk tied to dependencies and vulnerabilities. The images are described as minimal and distroless options that aim to reduce what is included by default, which lowers the amount of software that needs patching and review.
The product also focuses on supply chain controls around container content, including signed provenance and software bill of materials outputs. It supports workflows where teams want a consistent starting point for container builds while keeping verification artifacts available for auditing and security checks. Enterprise options are described as adding SLAs and extended support for images past upstream end-of-life.
Key Highlights:
- Hardened base images for container build workflows
- Minimal and distroless image options
- Supply chain verification with signed provenance
- SBOM support for dependency visibility
- Optional extended lifecycle support for older images
Services:
- Secure base image distribution for container builds
- Image provenance and verification support
- SBOM generation and dependency transparency
- Container supply chain security workflows
- Extended maintenance options for supported images
Contact Information:
- Website: www.docker.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/docker
- Address: 3790 El Camino Real # 1052 Palo Alto, CA 94306
- Phone Number: (415) 941-0376
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/docker.run
- Twitter: x.com/docker
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dockerinc
Conclusion
A DevOps tools chart works best when it reflects how tools actually function in practice, not how they are marketed. Each category in the chart exists to solve a specific type of problem – provisioning infrastructure, managing configuration, running pipelines, enforcing policy, or securing the delivery flow. When these roles are clearly separated, it becomes easier to see where tools overlap, where gaps exist, and where complexity starts to grow unnoticed.
Looking at tools side by side also makes one thing clear: no single platform covers everything equally well. Most real-world setups rely on a combination of focused tools, each doing a defined job within the delivery lifecycle. A clear DevOps tools chart helps teams reason about responsibilities, avoid unnecessary duplication, and make more deliberate decisions as systems and processes evolve.
