OpenVox
OpenVox is a free, open-source system for managing configuration across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
What OpenVox is
OpenVox is a free, open-source system for managing configuration across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments. It is a community-maintained implementation of Puppet, using a declarative language to describe and maintain system state. Teams can run it with agents managed by a server or in standalone mode, where `puppet apply` builds and applies a catalog on the local machine. Existing Puppet Open Source manifests, modules, Hiera data, and tooling are compatible without changes.
The documented packages include `openvox-agent`, `openvox-server`, OpenVoxDB components, and OpenBolt. In agent/server deployments, communication uses HTTPS with mutual TLS; agents need a certificate signed by a local Puppet certificate authority or an external CA before requesting configuration catalogs. The server exposes HTTP APIs for catalogs, certificates, status, and metrics. OpenVoxDB stores reports, inventory, and exported resources, while OpenBolt automates infrastructure over SSH and WinRM without agents. The software is self-hosted, with drift detection, patch management, policy as code, and compliance reporting listed.
Good
- Free and open source.
- Works with existing Puppet manifests and modules.
- Supports standalone and agent/server operation.
- Includes drift detection and compliance reporting.
- OpenBolt automates over SSH and WinRM without agents.
Watch out
- Requires self-hosted deployment.
- Agents need a signed certificate before retrieving catalogs.
Who it suits
OpenVox suits teams that want self-hosted configuration management and need to retain compatibility with Puppet Open Source assets. Its standalone and agent/server modes also suit environments that use both local and centrally managed workflows.
Verdict
OpenVox offers a free route to declarative system management while preserving compatibility with Puppet Open Source data and tooling. Its operating modes and related packages cover configuration, reporting, and agentless orchestration.
Plans and prices
From OpenVox's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVox | Free | Community-maintained software · agent/server or standalone use |
The facts
Each one read from OpenVox's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Certificate authority
- Before agents retrieve configuration catalogs, they need a signed certificate from the local Puppet certificate authority or an external CA.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- OpenVox is downstream-compatible with Puppet Open Source, and existing manifests, modules, Hiera data, and tooling work unchanged.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Data store
- OpenVoxDB is described as OpenVox’s data warehouse for reports, inventory, and exported resources.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- OpenVox Server exposes HTTP APIs, including catalog, certificate authority, status, and metrics endpoints.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Operating modes
- OpenVox can run as agents managed by a server or in standalone mode, where `puppet apply` compiles and applies a catalog locally.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Orchestration
- OpenBolt is a community implementation of Puppet Bolt that automates infrastructure management over SSH and WinRM without requiring agents.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Packages
- The documented package set includes `openvox-agent`, `openvox-server`, `openvoxdb`, `openvoxdb-termini`, and `openbolt`.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Project stewardship
- The documentation says OpenVox was adopted under Vox Pupuli stewardship and that a Puppet Standards Steering Committee guides language and feature evolution.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenVox is a community-maintained implementation of Puppet, a configuration management system that manages system state through a declarative language.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- In agent/server mode, agents and servers communicate over HTTPS with mutual TLS.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users to community help and a list of commercial support partners.checked 2 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The documentation provides installation instructions for Linux, Windows, and macOS.checked 2 Oct 2026
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