Introduction
In today’s cloud-native world, automation and reliability are at the heart of modern IT operations. Two key practices that help teams achieve this are Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and GitOps. Both approaches are widely used in DevOps, cloud computing, and Kubernetes environments, but they are not the same. Many engineers often ask: What is the difference between GitOps and IaC?
This article will explain GitOps vs IaC in simple terms, highlight their similarities, differences, benefits, and show how they can work together.
What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a method of managing and provisioning infrastructure using machine-readable files instead of manual processes. In simple words, IaC allows engineers to define cloud resources (such as servers, networks, or storage) in code and deploy them automatically.
Key Features of IaC:
- Automation – Deploy infrastructure without manual setup.
- Consistency – The same configuration can be applied to multiple environments.
- Scalability – IaC makes it easy to manage large and complex systems.
- Reusability – Templates and scripts can be reused across projects.
Examples of IaC Tools:
- Terraform
- Ansible
- Pulumi
- AWS CloudFormation
By using IaC, teams reduce human error, improve deployment speed, and ensure their infrastructure is repeatable and reliable.
What is GitOps?
GitOps is a modern operational model built on top of IaC principles. It uses Git as the single source of truth for both infrastructure and application configurations. With GitOps, any change to the system is made by committing and pushing code to a Git repository. A GitOps tool such as Argo CD or Flux then applies these changes automatically to the running environment.
Key Features of GitOps:
- Git-Centric Workflow – All changes are made via Git commits and pull requests.
- Continuous Delivery – Systems automatically sync with the desired state stored in Git.
- Version Control – Every change is tracked and auditable.
- Easy Rollback – If something breaks, revert to a previous commit in Git.
Examples of GitOps Tools:
- Argo CD
- Flux
- Jenkins X
GitOps brings the best practices of software development (like version control, peer review, and CI/CD) into infrastructure and operations.
GitOps vs IaC: Key Differences
Although GitOps and IaC share some similarities, they are not the same. IaC is about defining infrastructure as code, while GitOps is about managing and operating that infrastructure through Git.
Here’s a clear comparison:
| Feature | Infrastructure as Code (IaC) | GitOps |
| Definition | A way to define and provision infrastructure using code. | A way to manage infrastructure and applications using Git as the source of truth. |
| Tools | Terraform, Ansible, Pulumi, CloudFormation. | Argo CD, Flux, Jenkins X. |
| State Management | Managed by the IaC tool itself. | Stored, tracked, and versioned in Git repositories. |
| Workflow | Engineers run scripts or pipelines to apply changes. | Git commits automatically trigger changes in the environment. |
| Rollback | Requires re-running old scripts or configs. | Simply revert to a previous Git commit. |
| Focus | Provisioning infrastructure resources. | Continuous delivery and operations of infrastructure and apps. |
In short, IaC defines infrastructure, while GitOps ensures that the infrastructure and applications continuously match the definitions stored in Git.
Benefits of IaC
- Improved Speed – Infrastructure can be deployed in minutes.
- Error Reduction – Manual mistakes are eliminated through automation.
- Reproducibility – Same infrastructure can be recreated anywhere.
- Cost Optimization – Efficient resource provisioning reduces costs.
Benefits of GitOps
- Auditability – Every change is logged in Git for compliance and tracking.
- Enhanced Security – Only authorized commits can change infrastructure.
- Continuous Deployment – Automated syncing reduces downtime.
- Developer Productivity – Teams use familiar Git workflows for operations.
How GitOps and IaC Work Together
The debate is not just GitOps vs IaC; instead, it’s about how they complement each other. GitOps builds upon IaC by adding automation, version control, and continuous delivery.
For example:
- Use Terraform (IaC) to define infrastructure like VPCs, servers, and storage.
- Use GitOps (Argo CD) to keep Kubernetes clusters in sync with those definitions stored in Git.
Together, GitOps and IaC bring automation, reliability, and scalability to modern cloud-native environments.
Common Use Cases
Use Cases for IaC
- Provisioning cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Automating network setups.
- Defining databases and storage.
Use Cases for GitOps
- Managing Kubernetes clusters.
- Continuous delivery of microservices.
- Automated rollbacks after a failed deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is GitOps the same as IaC?
No. IaC defines infrastructure using code, while GitOps manages and operates infrastructure through Git.
2. Can GitOps work without IaC?
Not effectively. GitOps relies on IaC principles to define resources before managing them.
3. Which is better: GitOps or IaC?
It’s not about choosing one. IaC is the foundation, and GitOps extends it with Git-based workflows and continuous automation.
4. What tools are commonly used in GitOps and IaC?
- IaC tools: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation.
- GitOps tools: Argo CD, Flux, Jenkins X.
Conclusion
When comparing the difference between GitOps and IaC, it’s important to see them as complementary practices rather than competing ones. IaC provides the foundation by defining infrastructure as code, while GitOps enhances it with automation, continuous delivery, and Git-based version control.
Organizations that combine IaC and GitOps benefit from faster deployments, stronger security, improved reliability, and reduced operational overhead.
In short:
- IaC = defines the infrastructure.
- GitOps = manages and operates the infrastructure with Git.
By using both together, teams can achieve true cloud-native automation and stay ahead in the modern DevOps landscape.