Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Arnav Sharma
When it comes to managing cloud infrastructure on Azure, two popular Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools often come up in discussions: Bicep and Terraform. But what exactly is Azure Bicep, and how is it useful? In this blog, weโll dive into Terraform and Bicep to help you understand which tool might be the best fit for your Azure environment.
While Terraform uses its own configuration language and supports multiple cloud providers, Bicep is designed specifically for Azure, simplifying the deployment of resources such as Azure containers and Azure App Configuration.
Microsoft Bicep vs Terraform: A Comparison
| Feature/Aspect | Microsoft Bicep | Terraform |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Bicep is designed specifically for Azure infrastructure and deployment. | Terraform is an open-source tool for deploying cloud infrastructure using declarative code. |
| Language | Uses Bicep code, which is a simpler syntax to define Azure resources. | Uses HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL) to define resources on multiple cloud providers. |
| Azure Integration | Native to Azure, tightly integrated with Azure Resource Manager (ARM). | Supports multiple cloud providers, including Azure, using Terraform providers. |
| ARM Template | Bicep is an abstraction over ARM templates, making them easier to write and manage. | Terraform is independent of ARM templates but can deploy Azure resources via its own configuration. |
| State Management | No state management; relies on Azure Resource Manager for deployment consistency. | Terraform stores state in Azure storage or other backends, essential for managing resources over time. |
| Multi-Cloud Support | Specifically for Azure; no multi-cloud support. | Supports multiple cloud providers, making it versatile for hybrid or multi-cloud deployments. |
| Tooling and CLI | Works seamlessly with Azure CLI and Azure DevOps. | Uses Terraform CLI with commands like `terraform init`, `terraform plan`, and `terraform apply`. |
| Complexity | Simpler syntax and easier for Azure-specific deployments. | More complex but powerful, especially for deployments across multiple cloud environments. |
| Modularity | Supports modular deployments within Azure. | Highly modular with Terraform modules that can be reused across different cloud environments. |
| Deployment | Bicep allows you to create and manage Azure resources with declarative code. | Terraform provides a similar capability but with broader cloud provider support. |
| Community and Support | Maintained by Microsoft, with strong support for new Azure services. | Backed by HashiCorp and a large open-source community, with extensive documentation and modules. |
| VS Code Integration | Excellent integration with VS Code for authoring Bicep files. | Terraform also integrates with VS Code but requires extensions for HCL syntax support. |
| Learning Curve | Easier for those familiar with Azure and ARM templates. | Steeper learning curve, especially for multi-cloud or complex infrastructure setups. |
| State Management | No state management in Bicep; all operations are sent to Azure Resource Manager. | Terraform state is crucial for managing and tracking resource changes across deployments. |
| Use Cases | Best for Azure-only environments needing a straightforward IaC tool. | Ideal for complex, multi-cloud environments where infrastructure needs to be managed consistently. |
| Updates and Releases | Bicep offers rapid updates specifically for Azure, ensuring support for new services. | Terraform also supports new Azure services but might lag behind Bicep in this regard. |
| Resource Deployment | Bicep is designed to streamline the deployment of Azure resources. | Terraform shines in managing and deploying resources across multiple cloud providers. |
| Documentation and Community | Backed by Microsoft Q&A and official Azure documentation. | Extensive community support with numerous forums, guides, and modules available for Terraform. |
| Decision Point | Use Bicep for Azure-specific projects where integration with Azure services is key. | Go for Terraform if you need a tool that supports multiple cloud providers and has a robust ecosystem. |