Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Arnav Sharma
In 2023, the DevOps community witnessed a significant shift with the introduction of OpenTofu, a truly open-source alternative to Terraform. OpenTofu is a fork of Terraform, developed in response to HashiCorp’s decision to change Terraformโs licensing from the Mozilla Public License (MPL) to a Business Source License (BSL). This license change sparked a wave of uncertainty among Terraform users, pushing the community to seek an open-source solution. OpenTofu emerged as that solution, promising to remain open-source forever.
Terraform: A Background
Terraform, developed by HashiCorp, has long been a staple in the world of Infrastructure as Code (IaC). It enables users to define and provision data center infrastructure using HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL). Terraformโs ability to work with various cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud has made it indispensable for many DevOps teams.
However, the shift to a BSL has led to concerns within the community about the future openness and accessibility of Terraform. This change has prompted discussions and explorations of alternative tools, leading to the rise of OpenTofu.
The License Change: What It Means
The license change from MPL to BSL in 2023 was a pivotal moment for Terraform users. The BSL imposes more restrictions on the use of Terraform, particularly in commercial contexts. This change by HashiCorp has been perceived as a move towards a more closed-source approach, leading many to question the long-term implications for the Terraform ecosystem.
HashiCorp’s Role
HashiCorpโs decision to alter Terraform’s licensing has had significant repercussions. The company, which has played a crucial role in the development and maintenance of Terraform, is now at the center of a debate about open-source principles and the balance between commercial interests and community contributions..
Transitioning from Terraform to OpenTofu
For many, migrating from Terraform to OpenTofu is a logical step. OpenTofu, being a fork of Terraform, offers a seamless transition for those already familiar with Terraformโs workflow. The OpenTofu initiative aims to provide feature parity with Terraform, ensuring that existing Terraform users can switch without losing functionality or facing steep learning curves.
Comparing Terraform and OpenTofu
Terraform and OpenTofu share a common heritage, with OpenTofu being a fork of Terraform. This means that many of the features and functionalities available in Terraform are also present in OpenTofu. For example, OpenTofu supports the same modules, providers, and state files as Terraform, making it a drop-in replacement for Terraform.
Env0’s Support
env0, a leading infrastructure management platform, has expressed support for OpenTofu. By integrating OpenTofu, env0 continues to provide robust infrastructure automation and management capabilities, leveraging the strengths of OpenTofuโs open-source model.
Why Use OpenTofu?
Choosing to use OpenTofu over Terraform can be advantageous for those who prioritize open-source principles and community-driven development. OpenTofu is published under the MPL, ensuring that it remains free and open-source. This commitment to openness guarantees that the tool will continue to evolve with contributions from the broader community.
Spacelift’s Integration
Spacelift, another key player in the IaC space, has also embraced OpenTofu. As a CI/CD platform for infrastructure, Spaceliftโs support for OpenTofu ensures that users can automate their infrastructure deployments with a tool that aligns with open-source values.
Migrating from Terraform to OpenTofu
Migrating from Terraform to OpenTofu is designed to be straightforward. Since OpenTofu is compatible with Terraformโs syntax and state files, users can often switch with minimal changes to their existing setups. The OpenTofu community has provided extensive documentation and support to assist with this transition.
Common Questions About OpenTofu
Common questions about OpenTofu often revolve around its compatibility, stability, and community support. OpenTofu is compatible with Terraform providers, modules, and HCL, ensuring a familiar experience for Terraform users. The project is considered suitable for production use, with a growing community and contributions from many developers and organizations.
For Existing Terraform Users
For those with existing Terraform deployments, the uncertainty brought about by HashiCorpโs license change necessitates careful consideration. While Terraform remains a powerful tool, OpenTofu offers a compelling alternative that maintains the open-source ethos and promises long-term accessibility and community-driven development.