DevOps tools are essential software solutions that streamline the collaboration between development and operations teams. These platforms automate and optimize processes, making them indispensable for companies aiming to accelerate their development cycles.
To provide his expert insights, we consulted Nick Biryukov, DevOps Lead and Evangelist at Kanda Software, a top-rated software product development and cloud engineering company.
Let’s explore the best DevOps tools and practices to help businesses transition smoothly or improve their existing processes.
Key Points
- DevOps tools are crucial for automating and optimizing collaboration between development and operations teams.
- Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes are widely regarded as the top DevOps tools in 2025 by many software developers.
- Centralizing your DevOps tools in a single hub enhances clarity and maximizes their effectiveness across teams.
Table of Contents
8 Best DevOps Tools on the Market
Although many tools are used to streamline processes and optimize performance, Nick Biryukov recommends these eight as the most effective for helping businesses transition to or improve their DevOps processes:
1. Jenkins
Jenkins is the best DevOps software today because of its robust and extensible continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities. It automates various stages of software development, including building and testing.
The tool also integrates seamlessly with numerous other DevOps tools, which is why experts find it a versatile choice for diverse development environments. Its open-source nature and active community support further contribute to its widespread popularity.
Features:
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- Easy integration with other DevOps tools
- Customizable and flexible automation
- Web-based user interface for configuration
Pricing: Free
2. Docker
Docker is among the top DevOps tools due to its revolutionary approach to containerization, which allows developers to package apps with all their dependencies into standardized units or containers. These can be deployed across different environments without compatibility issues.
Docker is renowned for its modular design that makes it easy to integrate with existing environments. It’s particularly valuable for working with cloud-native applications.
Features:
- Cross-platform compatibility for containers
- Scalable from development to production environments
- Supports automated builds and continuous deployment
- Docker Hub for accessing pre-built container images
Pricing: Docker Pro starts at $5 per month
3. Kubernetes
Kubernetes is another popular DevOps management software known for its powerful container orchestration capabilities. Initially developed by Google, it has become the standard for managing and scaling containerized apps across clusters.
This tool automates the deployment and scaling of application containers to ensure high availability and resource efficiency. Kubernetes is also highly extensible, supporting a wide range of plugins and integrations to meet diverse needs.
Features:
- Automated container orchestration
- Self-healing capabilities
- Scalability for large-scale applications
- Supports multi-cloud and hybrid environments
Pricing: Free
4. Terraform
Terraform is a leading DevOps tool for infrastructure as a code (IaC), as it enables developers to define and provision infrastructure using a high-level configuration language. It’s a platform that allows users to manage infrastructure across multiple cloud providers consistently.
It can also automate infrastructure management to help reduce manual errors and accelerate the development lifecycle. Many custom software developers find Terraform’s modularity and support for version control a powerful tool for complex environments.
Features:
- Cross-platform infrastructure management
- Declarative configuration language (HCL)
- Support for multi-cloud environments
- Integration with version control systems
Pricing: Terraform’s HCP Standard plan starts at $0.00014 per hour per resource
5. Ansible
Ansible is a top choice for configuration management and automation thanks to its simplicity and ease of use. It uses an agentless architecture, meaning it doesn’t require software to be installed on the managed nodes.
The system excels in automating repetitive tasks, such as software deployment and configuration management, which contributes to faster and more reliable IT operations.
Features:
- Agentless architecture
- YAML-based playbooks for easy automation
- Extensive library of modules
- Cross-platform support
Pricing: Ansible Automation Platform starts at $5,000 per year
6. GitLab CI/CD
GitLab CI/CD is a comprehensive DevOps tool integrated within the GitLab platform that offers a seamless workflow from version control to continuous integration and delivery. It simplifies pipeline management and supports various languages and frameworks.
The tool also enhances collaboration among development teams by providing visibility into the entire development lifecycle. Such capability is particularly important for those following the lean development approach.
Features:
- Integrated with version control
- Supports multiple programming languages and frameworks
- Visual pipeline editor
- Automated testing and deployment
Pricing: Premium plan starts at $29/user/month
7. Prometheus
Prometheus is a critical tool in the DevOps ecosystem, particularly for monitoring and alerting in cloud-native environments. It excels in collecting and storing metrics from applications to enable real-time monitoring and in-depth analysis. Besides that, Prometheus is highly extensible and integrates well with other tools like Grafana for data visualization.
Its open-source nature and active community support have made it a staple in modern IT services and DevOps practices.
Features:
- Real-time monitoring and alerting
- Extensive metrics collection and storage
- Integration with Grafana for visualization
- Support for multi-dimensional data models
Pricing: Free
8. Puppet
Puppet is a well-established configuration management tool that automates the delivery and operation of software across infrastructures. It treats infrastructure as code, enabling consistent and repeatable management of configurations across environments.
The platform is particularly powerful in managing large and complex infrastructure. It also provides users with detailed reports and real-time alerts to ensure optimal performance.
Features:
- Infrastructure as code for consistent management
- Detailed reporting and real-time alerts
- Scalable for large environments
- Extensive library of modules
Pricing: Inquire for quote
Best Practices in Using DevOps Tools
Kanda Software’s Nick Biryukov highlights that the strategic implementation and use of DevOps tools will determine their effectiveness. Here are the best practices he recommends:
1. Centralize Your DevOps Tools
Centralizing your DevOps tools in a single hub will help you get the most out of them. This approach ensures clarity on where tools are stored, who has access, and how they should be used. A centralized hub promotes transparency and allows teams to share and maximize these tools’ utility effectively.
Additionally, centralization reduces the risk of tool duplication and mismanagement. A well-organized and accessible repository can help avoid confusion, reduce downtime, and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding tool usage and updates.
2. Automate Testing
According to Nick, testing needs to be continuous and automated to speed up the software development life cycle (SDLC). Implement test-driven development for sensitive apps and consider behavior-driven development to involve non-technical team members. Automation tools can streamline this process to make it more efficient and less time-consuming.
Furthermore, automating testing helps catch bugs early, reducing the chances of major issues arising later. Integrating automated tests into your CI/CD pipeline helps ensure that every code you input is validated promptly.
3. Implement Continuous Deployment
Deploy code in smaller chunks after it passes QA (quality assurance) and user acceptance testing (UAT) by leveraging automation tools to minimize human intervention. This segmented approach speeds up deployment and reduces errors.
Continuous deployment also enables faster feedback loops so teams can quickly address any problems that arise in production. Automating the deployment process will accelerate your product’s time-to-market while improving your team’s overall agility.
How To Choose the Best DevOps Tools for Your Business
Choosing the best DevOps tools is a strategic choice that requires an in-depth understanding of your business needs and the specific challenges you’re aiming to solve. To make this process actionable, here’s a structured approach:
- Assess the need for DevOps tools
- Understand what DevOps means
- Develop a clear plan
- Consider tool compatibility and integration
- Involve all stakeholders
1. Assess the Need for DevOps Tools
Before selecting any DevOps tools, it’s important to determine whether you need them. Jumping into the DevOps trend without a clear business case can lead to inefficiencies.
Begin by identifying the specific challenges DevOps tools can address, such as improving collaboration, streamlining operations, or automating repetitive tasks. Only when these benefits are clear should you proceed with selecting tools that align with your business objectives.
2. Understand What DevOps Means
DevOps is not just a set of tools, but a cultural shift focused on improving collaboration, automation, and agility. Before adopting DevOps practices, you need to evaluate how this approach fits with your organization’s existing goals and culture. Consider whether your team is prepared for the continuous improvement mindset that DevOps requires.
Additionally, think about how DevOps will integrate with your current workflows. Will these tools complement or disrupt your existing processes? Ensuring that DevOps aligns with your company’s long-term strategy is essential for successful implementation.
3. Develop a Clear Plan
Having a well-thought-out plan is key to the success of your DevOps strategy. Without a solid roadmap, it’s easy to run into challenges like underutilized tools or failed implementations.
Start by defining essential indicators such as deployment frequency, error rates, or lead times, which will help measure the impact of your DevOps initiatives. Setting clear objectives, like reducing release cycle times or improving collaboration between departments, gives you a tangible way to track progress and ensure that the tools you select are driving results.
4. Consider Tool Compatibility and Integration
When choosing DevOps tools, it’s important to assess how they integrate with your current systems. Evaluate your existing tech stack to determine whether the new tools will seamlessly fit into your CI/CD pipelines, cloud environments, and enterprise systems.
Tools that enhance your current infrastructure rather than disrupt it will make for smoother transitions and minimize the learning curve for your team. This consideration will not only save time but also ensure that the selected tools are fully utilized.
5. Involve All Stakeholders
DevOps success relies heavily on cross-team collaboration and buy-in from all levels of the organization. It’s essential that all stakeholders, from developers to upper management, are on board with the DevOps approach.
Encouraging open communication between departments ensures that the tools you choose are utilized effectively, while support from management guarantees that the necessary resources will be allocated for long-term success.
Best DevOps Tools Takeaways
Centralizing your DevOps tools enhances clarity and promotes efficient team collaboration. Automating testing is crucial for speeding up development while ensuring high software quality. Additionally, implementing continuous deployment streamlines code releases and makes the process more efficient.
Together, these practices maximize the potential of platforms like Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and others, optimizing workflows and improving overall productivity.
Start exploring the best DevOps tools today and find out how they can enhance your projects.
