AWS CodeStar vs Atlantis: What are the differences?

Introduction

AWS CodeStar and Atlantis are both tools used in software development. While they have similarities, they also have key differences that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the main differences between AWS CodeStar and Atlantis.

1. Integration with Cloud Services: One key difference between AWS CodeStar and Atlantis is their integration with cloud services. AWS CodeStar is a fully managed service that provides a complete set of tools for developing, building, and deploying applications on AWS. It offers seamless integration with various AWS services such as AWS Lambda, Amazon S3, and AWS CodeCommit. In contrast, Atlantis is focused on infrastructure management and mainly integrates with version control systems like Git.

2. Supported Use Cases: AWS CodeStar is designed to support a wide range of use cases, from simple web applications to complex enterprise projects. It provides project templates for different programming languages and frameworks, making it suitable for various types of projects. On the other hand, Atlantis is primarily used for managing infrastructure changes in a version-controlled manner. It is often used in conjunction with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform.

3. Team Collaboration Features: Another difference is the team collaboration features provided by each tool. AWS CodeStar offers built-in collaboration features including project dashboards, code review, and project management tools. It enables teams to work together efficiently and streamline the development process. Atlantis, on the other hand, focuses more on automating infrastructure deployments and does not provide extensive collaboration features.

4. Deployment Workflow: AWS CodeStar provides a simplified deployment workflow that facilitates continuous integration and delivery. It offers built-in pipelines and integrations with different AWS services to automate the deployment process. Atlantis, on the other hand, does not have built-in deployment capabilities. It focuses more on providing a review and approval workflow for infrastructure changes before they are applied.

5. Configuration and Management: AWS CodeStar takes care of many configuration and management tasks for you, such as setting up a project environment, managing build and test stages, and configuring AWS resources. It provides an opinionated approach to development, which can be beneficial for teams that prefer a structured workflow. Atlantis, on the other hand, requires more manual configuration and management. It relies on external tools like CI/CD pipelines for the deployment process.

6. Pricing Model: Finally, the pricing models for AWS CodeStar and Atlantis differ. AWS CodeStar follows the AWS pay-as-you-go model, where you pay for the resources you use. The costs depend on factors such as the number of active users, storage usage, and data transfer. On the other hand, Atlantis is an open-source tool and does not have a direct cost associated with it. However, there may be infrastructure costs if you deploy Atlantis on your own servers.

In summary, AWS CodeStar and Atlantis differ in their integration with cloud services, supported use cases, team collaboration features, deployment workflows, configuration and management approaches, and pricing models. These differences make them suitable for different purposes and project requirements.