# AWS Config Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide | Capterra > Check out the AWS Config pricing guide to understand the cost of different pricing plans, features, and insights on how to choose the right plan. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/205398/AWS-Config/pricing --- AWS Config Pricing Guide 2025 Last updated on February 19, 2026 Written by [Barkha Bali](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/) Writer Edited by [Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Editor Pricing for AWS Config [4.6 (45)](#reviews) User rating:[ 4.6 ](#reviews) Based on (45) reviews ## Overview of AWS Config pricing [AWS Config](https://www.capterra.com/p/205398/AWS-Config/) is [configuration management software](https://www.capterra.com/configuration-tools-software/) that works with the AWS ecosystem to monitor resources and track changes based on set rules. With detailed data analysis dashboards, intuitive integrations with the AWS ecosystem, and configuration history for your resources and software, this platform offers users a good option for monitoring resource compliance and changes. Like most AWS software options, AWS Config only charges its customers for what they use. We’ve analyzed our database of verified user reviews to gauge user opinion on AWS Config pricing. Using this data, we’ve created this detailed pricing guide to help you make an informed purchasing decision for your next configuration and compliance software subscription. Basic $0.00 Usage Based, The latest information on pricing is available on AWS Config’s website. ## Cost breakdown AWS Config doesn’t follow traditional subscription models, opting for a pay-for-what-you-use approach instead. How AWS charges users is an important consideration when evaluating this software. ### Starting price The platform doesn’t have set prices, instead charging you for what you use. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint a starting price. You can visit their pricing page and use the built-in calculator to create a custom estimate for your configuration operations. It’s important to note that these prices do not include tax, so they may be higher than you originally expected.  In a nutshell, AWS Config charges you for your usage based on the following three metrics: 1. **AWS Config items:** How many items you monitor 2. **AWS Config rules:** How many rules you implement and evaluate on your items 3. **Conformance packs:** How many customized items and rules packs you create and monitor For example, if you monitor 1000 items in continuous mode, implement 1000 rules, and have a total of 10000 conformance packs, you can expect to pay $14 for that month. In the detailed pricing breakdown, we’ll explain each factor in depth and give you a few pricing examples to help you better understand the AWS Config pricing structure. ### Billing options AWS Config is billed monthly based on what you use. It uses three core metrics to calculate your costs. In the detailed breakdown of the cost, we will discuss these metrics and how they work to determine your overall subscription cost. ### Key features - **Compliance certifications:** AWS Config has multiple compliance certifications, including HIPAA, ISO 9001, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018. This makes the software more accessible to a wide range of industries that deal with sensitive information, including healthcare and finance. - **Configuration history of resources:** To get the best holistic understanding of your resources over time, AWS Config offers historical configuration data. With this feature, you can choose any point in time and see what your resources looked like at that moment. It also allows you to send your configuration items to the software of your choice. - **Resource relationships tracking:** AWS Config monitors and tracks all resource relationship changes to give you a better picture of your resource compliance. You’ll receive notifications based on the rules you have implemented for relationships. You can use this to understand how resources are used across your company. - **Configurable and customizable rules:** AWS Config has a set of pre-built rules that you can use to define your resource configuration and ensure compliance. However, you can use the AWS Lambda integration to build custom rules for your unique compliance needs. - **Multi-region data aggregation:** Depending on the resources you own and the regions they come from, you may need to store them across different regions, which means owning multiple accounts. The software allows for multi-region and multi-account data aggregation to make AWS Config more affordable and let you see all of your data in one place. This feature also lets you implement global rules and single-region configuration rules for a more customized experience. - **Cloud governance dashboard:** The platform helps you see granular data by providing three different dashboard types: AWS account/region-specific, high-level aggregator information, and detailed aggregator insights. This level of data insights ensures you always know what’s happening with your resources and can act on non-compliant data efficiently. ## What users say about AWS Config’s pricing Our team analyzed 32 verified user reviews about AWS Pricing to determine customer sentiment.  Users are split on their opinion of AWS Config’s affordability, with some finding it affordable and others deeming it expensive. Users agree that AWS Config is unaffordable for many small businesses. Some users highlight that the software is more expensive than similar alternatives. Read verified reviews to understand what users find valuable about AWS Config pricing and decide whether it could provide value to your business relative to the pricing details provided on this page.[\[1\]](#footnotes) Swaibu B.AWS Solution ArchitectureComputer & Network Security1-2 years AWS Config excels in continuous compliance tracking and resource auditing, ensuring security and governance effortlessly. January 30, 2025 Terence Z.Technical support specialistInformation Technology and ServicesLess than 6 months AWS config is reliable and allows me to monitor my AWS resources and has a record of changes of configurations as well which is useful for me to monitor and check. December 27, 2024 santosh B.Software EngineerAutomotive2+ years The pricing can be more affordable when compared to the available other tools in the market. May 16, 2022 [Read more AWS Config reviews here](https://www.capterra.com/p/205398/AWS-Config/reviews/). ## Detailed breakdown of AWS Config’s pricing structure AWS Config doesn’t use pricing plans for its services. Instead, the company bills users based on usage across three core principles: AWS Config items, AWS Config rules, and Conformance packs. It also bases prices on your current location. For small to medium businesses, this can offer a cost-effective alternative payment structure compared to the usual monthly fee offered by other configuration management software. While this pricing structure can be confusing, AWS offers a detailed price calculator to estimate costs. We’ll walk you through each component and how they are billed and then direct you to a few examples based on their calculator that help explain how their pricing works. ### AWS Config items The platform describes an AWS Config item as any resource that has undergone a change in status, relationship, or configuration. These changes are recorded and delivered periodically or continuously. Periodic recording delivers configuration results when anything has changed once within 24 hours. Continuous recording, on the other hand, will deliver configuration data every time a resource changes. Users are free to choose which delivery method works best for their needs, and they will be charged depending on which they choose. This is the first component of the AWS Config pricing structure.[\[2\]](#footnotes) - **Periodic recording** — $0.012 per configuration item delivered per AWS account per AWS Region - **Continuous recording** — $0.003 per configuration item delivered per AWS account per AWS Region ### AWS Config rules AWS Config’s core functionality is to run resources through various rules set by a user’s business to confirm they are compliant and monitor any changes. As such, AWS Config charges users based on each rule evaluation run. Unlike the first pricing component, where you are charged for delivery of any changes, you will pay for rule evaluations regardless of whether anything has changed. This means whenever an AWS Config rule goes through all your resources to check for compliance and changes, you will be charged.[\[2\]](#footnotes) Additionally, rules are run either in detective or proactive mode. Proactive evaluation means resources are checked for changes and compliance _before_ deployment. In detective mode, this happens _after_ resource deployment and helps you to reevaluate your existing configuration settings. You can set each rule to run just one evaluation mode or both. If a rule runs both modes (detective and continuous), you will only be charged for the detective mode evaluations, even if the number of detective evaluations for that rule is less than the continuous. Prices are listed on their site as follows\*: - First 100,000 rule evaluations – $0.001 per rule evaluation per region - Next 400,000 rule evaluations (100,001 - 500,000) – $0.0008 per rule evaluation per region - 500,001+ rule evaluations – $0.0005 per rule evaluation per region \*_AWS Config notes that if you have multiple accounts, the number of rule evaluations will be added across all accounts to determine the number used, giving you a lower overall price._ ### Conformance packs The final component of the AWS Config pricing structure is conformance packs. A conformance pack is a set or sequence of evaluation rules grouped together to deploy across your organization and monitor compliance at scale. Conformance packs are used to provide a compliance score based on the set of rules. For example, if a conformance pack has 10 rules and it evaluates 10 resources, it has a potential score of 100. If one resource has two non-compliant results, and three resources have one non-compliant result (totaling five non-compliant resource rules), the conformance pack would return a score of 95% (95 out of 100 rule-compliant resources).[\[2\]](#footnotes) Prices are listed on their site as follows\*: - First 100,000 conformance pack evaluations – $0.001 per conformance pack evaluation per region - Next 400,000 conformance pack evaluations (100,001 - 500,000) – $0.0008 per conformance pack evaluation per region - 500,001+ conformance pack evaluations – $0.0005 per conformance pack evaluation per region \*_AWS Config notes that if you have multiple accounts, the number of rule evaluations will be added across all accounts to determine the number used, giving you a lower overall price._ ### Pricing examples To get a better understanding of the pricing structure, it’s best to try and understand different pricing scenarios. Here are some examples we have created to give you an idea of what you can expect from AWS Config pricing: #### Example 1 This month, you use the following: - 20,000 configuration items recorded under continuous recording - 100,000 AWS Config rule evaluations in proactive mode only - 10 conformance packs containing 10 AWS Config rules, with 100 rule evaluations per rule (totaling 10 x 10 x 100 = 10,000 conformance pack evaluations) Your charge for the month is calculated as follows: Cost of your configuration item: 20,000 x $0.003 = **$60** Cost of configuration rules: 100,000 x $0.001 = **$100** Cost of conformance packs: 10,000 x $0.001 = **$10** Total monthly cost: $60 + $100 + $10 = **$170** #### Example 2 This month, you use the following: - 50,000 configuration items recorded under continuous recording - 500,010 AWS Config rule evaluations (300,010 in proactive mode, 200,000 in detective mode) - 100 conformance packs containing 20 AWS Config rules, with 100 rule evaluations per rule (totaling 100 x 20 x 100 = 200,000 conformance pack evaluations) Your charge for the month is calculated as follows: Cost of your configuration item: 50,000 x $0.003 = **$150** Cost of configuration rules: \*_As both proactive and detective mode were used, you will only be charged for detective mode uses, which in this example was 200,000._ First 100,000 evaluations: 100,000 x $0.001 = $100  100,001 - 500,000 evaluations: 100,000 x $0.0008 = $80 $100 + $80 = **$180** Cost of conformance packs: First 100,000 conformance pack evaluations: 100,000 x $0.001 = $100  100,001 - 500,000 conformance pack evaluations: 100,000 x $0.0008 = $80 $100 + $80 = **$180** Total monthly cost: $150 + $180 + $180 = **$510** As every business is unique, your usage will depend on your company's needs and may even fluctuate monthly. To better understand AWS Config pricing, you can find simple examples on the AWS Config pricing page, which will explain how the three components listed above are calculated to create an overall monthly cost. You can also use the pricing calculator to create your own bespoke estimates based on your business needs and intended usage. ## Total cost of ownership The total cost of owning your AWS Config subscription stretches beyond upfront costs. There are a lot of other factors, such as additional costs, services, and internal resources, that you’ll also need to factor into your budget to determine if this is an affordable option for you. ### Upfront costs AWS Config’s upfront costs relate to the monthly subscription fee. However, unlike most plans, which either work on a user or per-month basis, AWS Config only charges for the resources you use. That means your subscription costs could vary considerably from month to month. When budgeting, you’ll need to establish your upper usage threshold to estimate your highest monthly cost. You can use the pricing calculator on the AWS Config pricing page to help you determine your estimated cost and use that figure as part of your budget projections. ### Additional costs to consider #### Regions You may have noticed that each pricing component says “per region.” That’s because AWS Config requires companies to choose the region they access AWS services from. Some AWS services charge different rates depending on the region, and each account can only be linked to one region. However, for global businesses, you may be required to store certain resources in a specific location, depending on local compliance laws. This is highly likely if you deal with sensitive information. As such, your company may need multiple accounts across regions. #### Add-ons There are three key AWS add-ons needed to access your AWS Config results.  - **Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)** is Amazon’s storage solution that allows you to store your configuration data files. S3 offers many different storage options, all of which are compatible with AWS Config, so you’ll need to choose the right option for you (check the guidance on the Amazon S3 product page to determine which tier fits your needs). S3 is billed per GB of storage used. - **AWS Lambda** is the software used to write the custom rules through which compliance is monitored. Although AWS Config has pre-built rules you can use, you may want a more personalized experience with custom rules. While AWS Lambda has a free tier, it might not offer the right level of features for you, depending on how many rules and resources you have. Request a price quote to determine which subscription tier meets your needs. - **Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)** lets AWS Config notify you of any non-compliant or changed resources. It has a generous free tier, but depending on your business needs, you may need to purchase additional notifications. You can check prices on the SNS pricing page. In addition to your monthly usage fees, there are other fees that can quickly increase your subscription’s price. - **AWS ecosystem software:** AWS Config is primarily made to work seamlessly with other platforms under the AWS umbrella, such as AWS Audit Manager, AWS CloudTrail, Amazon EC2 Dedicated Host, and AWS Firewall Manager. For each AWS software you use, you will have to pay a separate subscription fee, which you will need to factor into the total cost of your ownership. - **External third-party integration:** Although AWS Config works best with AWS products, it also has some powerful integration capabilities with non-Amazon software, including platforms like Jira, Splunk, and GitHub. As mentioned above, any additional software in your tech stack needs to be factored into your overall cost analysis.  - **AWS Config add-ons:** The main add-ons available for AWS Config are Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon Simple Notifications Service (SNS), and AWS Lambda. The S3 service lets you store your configuration files, the SNS service notifies you of any compliance issues or resource changes, and AWS Lambda lets you write custom rules that help you configure your resources and keep them compliant. All of these are charged on a usage basis. You can access the calculators on each respective sales page to estimate how much each of these may cost you. - **Training and onboarding:** The AWS Config system can be daunting for those without coding backgrounds. Many users say it has a steep learning curve. Investing in professional training from experts will help you better understand the processes, how to set up your own configuration rules, and what to do when resources are non-compliant. - **Customization and programming:** AWS Config is coding-heavy, which makes it difficult for some teams to get started. It may be beneficial to pay an expert to set them up so you can ensure your compliance rules are established the way you need them. AWS has a list of AWS Config partners, who are trusted experts in configuration and compliance and can be contracted to customize and program your rules.  - **Business scaling:** Due to the way AWS Config charges users—based on usage—you’ll need to factor any potential business growth into your overall costs. The more resources and rules you need to implement for compliance, the more expensive your subscription will become.  - **Tax:** It’s important to note that these prices do not include tax, so they may be higher than you originally expected. Your tax will differ depending on location, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when budgeting for the subscription. #### Services needed to implement or manage the platform AWS offers an extensive training and resource library for all of its products, including AWS Config. You can access free certifications, tutorials, and knowledge bases to ensure you get the most out of your subscription. You can also rely on AWS partners for bespoke support for implementation, training, and coding. As a cloud-based software, all updates are completed remotely, reducing downtime for you and your team. That also means you are less likely to experience disruptions due to server maintenance. AWS Config will keep you informed of any potential disruptions so your team can work around them. Finally, you’ll need the right service infrastructure in place for the software. That means all team members will need decent internet connections to use the software. They will also need to ensure their device’s operating systems are compatible with AWS Config. AWS services are generally compatible with the most up-to-date OS versions from Apple, Microsoft, Linux, and more, but it is always best to double-check with the support team to make sure your devices are compatible before making a purchase. If your team doesn’t have the relevant OS or internet connection required, updating your technology infrastructure will need to be added to your total cost. #### Internal resources needed for ongoing platform management Your workforce structure may also need to be adjusted to accommodate the added needs of running AWS Config. While every team is unique and these roles may not apply to every company, you should consider whether having these additional roles is necessary to run the AWS Config software. - **AWS Config administrator:** An AWS Config administrator will be an expert in the software and act as the intermediary between AWS and your business. The administrator’s job is to give feedback about any AWS Config issues and update the company about the latest news and updates.  - **Training coordinator:** AWS Config has a steep learning curve which can be difficult, especially for new team members. By installing a training coordinator within the team, you’ll have an expert who can train new recruits to use the software in a way that is compliant with company regulations and in line with the way the rest of the team uses it. Plus, as coordinator, they should stay up-to-date on the latest releases, so when new features are released, the training coordinator will be able to teach everyone how to use them. - **Data analyst:** Having an appointed data analyst will allow you to monitor the frequency of non-compliant resources in your system and implement changes to reduce this. They will also be able to suggest improvements to help the team maximize efficiency based on reports from AWS Config. - **Compliance and security officer:** While AWS Config is built to monitor compliance, it does not set the rules. Having a compliance and security officer is crucial to understanding what resource compliance looks like so the relevant team members can program the configuration rules accordingly. The officer will also be able to review rules regularly to examine if they still reflect company and industry policies or if they need updating. - **IT support team:** It is likely you’ll need an IT support team skilled in programming to help set up and maintain your AWS Config system. They can help flag any non-compliant resources and direct them to the relevant team to change them as needed. ## How to assess if the AWS Config pricing system works for you With a usage-based pricing system, it can be difficult to know whether the software is the right fit for your business. Here are some important considerations to make. _Considerations while choosing the right AWS Config pricing plan_ ### Assess your business needs Compliance is an extremely important issue that AWS Config helps to address. However, you’ll need to assess if your business goals align with having a “pay-as-you-go” service or if you’d prefer a more predictable pay model software with set limits. You’ll also need to consider the scope of your resource library and how much the consistent compliance monitoring could cost. The more your business grows and the more resources you accumulate, the more expensive the platform becomes. ### Compare features offered with similar alternative software AWS Config is a fairly straightforward platform intended to focus on configuring rules to ensure resource compliance. However, there are alternative software that can also do this and may offer other features. Instead of paying for what you use they may charge a more predictable monthly fee instead. You’ll need to decide which type of software and pricing plan suits you best. ### Consider your business's use of the AWS ecosystem Although AWS Config can integrate with third-party apps, it is primarily designed to support other AWS software as part of the wider AWS ecosystem. If your business uses a lot of AWS products, it might make more sense for you to use AWS Config, as it is built to integrate and will have built-in presets to run rules across apps. However, if you don’t work with other AWS platforms, this may not be the best solution for you. Other software has more intuitive third-party integrations that don’t revolve primarily around one platform (AWS) and may be easier to use (depending on your personal preference). ### Consider your budget With AWS Config, your monthly usage dictates how much you pay. While this may be more cost-effective if you don’t have many configuration rules or resources to monitor, it can easily go up. The AWS Config pricing calculator can help give you an estimate. You should divide your budget into initial purchase costs, training, and ongoing maintenance to understand what you can afford without straining your finances. ## How to maximize the value of your AWS Config subscription To make the most of your AWS Config subscription, we’ve created a list of best practices you can follow. _Ways to maximize the value of your AWS Config subscription_ ### Utilize all features AWS Config doesn’t have a long list of features, so it should be easy to use them all. However, you may find that some features are harder to use with third-party resources. While the choice to use AWS products is completely up to you, AWS Config does work best within the AWD ecosystem, and you may find that the best way to use all features is in conjunction with other AWS apps.  ### Customer support AWS offers live chat, video tutorials, forums, and documentation support options to assist customers. They have a wealth of resources and certifications for users to learn the system and make the most of their configuration and compliance tools. You should encourage all staff members working with AWS Config to explore the resource library and take as many free courses as realistically possible to maximize their understanding and improve what your team can achieve on the platform. If you want personalized expert help, AWS does have a directory of vetted experts known as AWS Partners, who you can hire to help program your configuration rules or teach you how to make the most of your subscription as it relates to your business needs. ### Additional tips for getting the most out of your plan - Maintain a regular feedback loop to help improve your configuration rules and resource compliance. - Run frequent team training sessions to ensure users know the latest features to maximize your workflows. - Take action on any data insights from analytics to improve your work processes and save your team time and money. - Make sure any other software in your tech stack works well with AWS Config, and consider making changes if anything isn’t compatible. - Take advantage of custom configuration rules to access personalized compliance insights and resource changes. ## Is it worth paying for AWS Config? Whether AWS Config is worth the investment depends on your business needs and budget. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide: ### Value for money AWS Config has a value-for-money rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on verified user reviews. Users feel that while the software can be cost-effective for larger companies, small businesses may find it too expensive and, therefore, low value for money.  Read verified reviews to understand what users find valuable about AWS Config and decide whether it could provide value to your business relative to the pricing details provided on this page.[\[1\]](#footnotes) ¿¿¿¿ Amine E.CMOInternet2+ years A perfect solution, but using aws is very expensive so we are considering changing servers June 13, 2022 Bharath M.Cloud support engineerInformation Technology and Services2+ years Costly enough for small companies to buy. November 25, 2024 Bharath M.Cloud support engineerInformation Technology and Services2+ years Highly secure environment and using this for auditing and monitoring of configuration-related issues and matters. While it takes a number of days to actually complete this setup properly. November 25, 2024 [Read more AWS Config reviews here](https://www.capterra.com/p/205398/AWS-Config/reviews/). ### Included features AWS Config offers a range of configuration management and compliance features, including: - Configuration history of software - Conformance packs - Cloud governance dashboards - Configuration snapshots - AWS and third-party integrations - Compliance certifications, including HIPAA and PCI DSS - Configurable and customizable rules ### Customer support options AWS offers email support and query tickets for all customers. It also has an extensive library of documentation, tutorials, and certification courses to help users learn how to use the software efficiently.  If you want a personalized support option, you can hire an AWS partner who is a verified expert in using AWS Config. They will be able to help you and your team with onboarding, training, customization, and adapting the platform to fit your business needs.  ## Is AWS Config right for you? ### Assessing your requirements Determining whether AWS Config is the right software for you involves assessing your requirements and comparing them to what AWS Config offers. Here are some key factors to consider: - **Resource library size:** As AWS Config is billed by usage, larger resource libraries will cost more money. You should use the pricing calculator to determine if AWS Config is cost-effective for your business with a large number of resources to assess. - **Security needs:** You will need to ensure that AWS has the right facilities to align with your industry’s compliance guidelines.  - **Customization and programming needs:** AWS Config allows users to create custom rules for resource compliance. If you want to make the most of these, you’ll need to assess if you have the infrastructure to program these or if you should hire a professional. ### Alternatives to AWS Config AWS Config has an **overall rating of 4.7 out of 5** and a value-for-money rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 32 verified user reviews. However, it may not be the right configuration software for you. To make an informed decision, it’s important to compare price and value-for-money ratings of popular alternative configuration management software. **ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager** has a rating of 4.5 out of 5, and prices start from $238 per year. **ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer** starts at $395 per year and is rated 4.5 out of 5 for its value for money. With a 4.7 value-for-money rating, **StandardFusion** is one of the best-rated alternatives. Pricing is based on custom quotes. **baramundi Management Suite** has a lower rating (4.1 out of 5) and costs $1 per feature, per month. Finally, **ServiceNow**, with a score of 4.5, starts at $100 per month. Each alternative software has unique features that users enjoy: [ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager](https://www.capterra.com/p/172274/Network-Configuration-Manager/): Users greatly appreciate ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager’s monitoring features that allow them to track multiple areas of their workspace, including demand and usage.  [ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer](https://www.capterra.com/p/172277/ManageEngine-Firewall-Analyzer/): ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer users praise the intuitive interface that allows them to control and monitor firewalls easily. Prices start at $395 per year, and they have a free trial available.  [StandardFusion:](https://www.capterra.com/p/151388/StandardFusion/) Users enjoy the StandardFusion IT risk management and analysis features offered, noting that the platform is easy to use and get started with. [baramundi Management Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/177946/baramundi-Management-Suite/): Customers like how easy it is to manage IT maintenance and appreciate the customer support given.  [ServiceNow:](https://www.capterra.com/p/254088/ServiceNow/) ServiceNow users highlight the flexible nature of the software, allowing them to effectively address business areas like HR, IT, and customer service as one of their favorite aspects of the platform. Check out the top [AWS Config](https://www.capterra.com/p/205398/AWS-Config/#alternatives) alternatives, comparable to the software in terms of core features, pricing, and usability. ### Cost comparison: AWS Config vs. popular alternatives [4.5 (283)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172274/Network-Configuration-Manager/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $238.00 Flat Rate , Per Year * * * [4.5 (243)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172277/ManageEngine-Firewall-Analyzer/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $395.00 Other , One Time * * * [4.6 (39)](https://www.capterra.com/p/151388/teammate-risk-compliance/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $0.01 * * * [4.6 (140)](https://www.capterra.com/p/177946/baramundi-Management-Suite/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $1.00 Per Feature , Per Month * * * ## Making the final decision AWS Config is an extensive configuration management software that lets users monitor and track their resources for compliance. Based on 32 verified user reviews, it has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. The platform offers all features no matter how much you use it, so you will need to consider how many rules and resources you want to monitor. This information will give you a better idea of your estimated monthly costs and, in turn, help you decide if it is worth the price for your business needs. You’ll also want to consider how important AWS software is to running your company. The more embedded you are in the AWS ecosystem, the more utility you’ll get from AWS Config. Ultimately, the decision to choose AWS Config will come down to your business and compliance needs, budget, current tech stack, and support infrastructure. If you’re ready to try AWS Config, you can log into or create your AWS account and set up AWS Config in your personal console. ## FAQs Does AWS Config offer any discounts? No, AWS Config does not offer any discounts, as it is billed on a usage basis. Do I need AWS Config? Whether you need AWS Config will depend on your unique business needs. If you have resources that you need to configure for compliance, you may find the software useful. To fully understand whether you need AWS Config, you’ll need to analyze the available features and consider whether they would add to your business and help it thrive. What is the difference between AWS Config and CloudTrail? While both are AWS governance and maintenance platforms, they have different intentions. AWS CloudTrail monitors API calls to your AWS accounts, letting you know who is accessing your accounts, how they are doing so, and why. AWS Config is more focused on ensuring that the resources within your AWS accounts are compliant and secure. Is AWS Config free to use? No, you will be charged for AWS Config based on what you use. You will be charged monthly as follows: **AWS Config items:**  Periodic recording — $0.012 per configuration item delivered per AWS account per AWS Region Continuous recording — $0.003 per configuration item delivered per AWS account per AWS Region **AWS Config rules:** First 100,000 rule evaluations – $0.001 per rule evaluation per region Next 400,000 rule evaluations (100,001 - 500,000) – $0.0008 per rule evaluation per region 500,001+ rule evaluations – $0.0005 per rule evaluation per region **AWS Conformance pack evaluations:** First 100,000 conformance pack evaluations – $0.001 per conformance pack evaluation per region Next 400,000 conformance pack evaluations (100,001 - 500,000) – $0.0008 per conformance pack evaluation per region 500,001+ conformance pack evaluations – $0.0005 per conformance pack evaluation per region You can use the pricing calculator on the AWS Config website to create a custom estimate based on your usage needs. What are the pros and cons of AWS Config? **Pros**: - Allows you to monitor and track resource changes.  - Simplifies troubleshooting by showing you a history of configuration and compliance changes within your software and resources. - Lets you set your own compliance rules. **Cons**: - It is optimized for use with other AWS products and may be less intuitive with other software. - Prices are not fixed, so it is difficult to budget accurately for your subscription. What are the alternatives to AWS Config? Popular alternatives to AWS Config include barramundi Management Suite, ServiceNow, ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager, and StandardFusion. #### Methodology 1. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. 2. Our research team identified these features from vendor websites (Mar. 11, 2025) based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from configuration management tools software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. [Barkha Bali](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/) Barkha Bali is a writer at Capterra, providing expert insights to help small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing user reviews data for the highest rated products in relevant software categories. She has worked in finance, lifestyle, education, and medical. With expertise in marketing and content strategy, Barkha’s work has been featured in Medium and educational websites. When not working, she can be found re-watching “The Office” or “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” [Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Lindsay Page is an editor at Capterra. She specializes in editing data-driven research and tech trends reports for small to midsize businesses. She has more than a decade of experience writing and editing for a variety of industries, with particular expertise in cybersecurity, corporate and securities regulation, and finance. When not editing, Lindsay can be found reading a mystery novel, spending time with her family, and playing competitive tennis. Lots and lots of tennis. Related reading Table of Contents - [Overview of AWS Config pricing](#overview-of-aws-config-pricing) - [Cost breakdown](#cost-breakdown) - [What users say about AWS Config’s pricing](#what-users-say-about-aws-configs-pricing) - [Detailed breakdown of AWS Config’s pricing structure](#detailed-breakdown-of-aws-configs-pricing-structure) - [Total cost of ownership](#total-cost-of-ownership) - [How to assess if the AWS Config pricing system works for you](#how-to-assess-if-the-aws-config-pricing-system-works-for-you) - [How to maximize the value of your AWS Config subscription](#how-to-maximize-the-value-of-your-aws-config-subscription) - [Is it worth paying for AWS Config?](#is-it-worth-paying-for-aws-config) - [Is AWS Config right for you?](#is-aws-config-right-for-you) - [Making the final decision](#making-the-final-decision) - [FAQs](#faqs)