Canonical MAAS is an open source platform for managing physical servers as cloud resources.
Best Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software in 2026
Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) software helps provision and manage physical servers. This list covers tools with options such as API, self-hosted, Linux and web access. Compare provisioning method, deployment model, lifecycle automation, OS imaging, network configuration and hypervisor support. Android availability is not given here, so check the platform details if phone access matters.
Foreman is a free, open-source lifecycle management tool for physical and virtual servers.
openQRM Enterprise is a data centre management and cloud computing platform for managing IT infrastructure across bare-metal servers and virtual machines.
- 4

Cobbler
Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software for automating network installations and provisioning.
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 5
xCAT
xCAT is an open-source toolkit for deploying, scaling, and managing bare metal servers and virtual machines.
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 6

OpenNebula
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.0 - 7

MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator provisions, re-provisions, and manages general-purpose and specialized servers across hardware generations and vendors.
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.9 - 8
OpenStack Ironic
OpenStack Ironic provisions bare-metal machines and can operate on its own or as part of an OpenStack cloud.
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.8Free plan - 9

Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell is a free, open-source engine for provisioning and managing bare metal infrastructure.
APILinuxSelf-hosted5.8 - 10
Metal³
Metal³ is an open-source project for managing bare-metal infrastructure with Kubernetes.
APILinuxSelf-hosted5.7 - 11

NVIDIA Infra Controller
NVIDIA Infra Controller (NICo) is an open-source suite of microservices for site-local, zero-trust lifecycle management of bare-metal infrastructure.
APISelf-hosted5.6 - 12
Provisioner
Web4.7
Choosing well
Check the access platform
The listed platform options include API, self-hosted, Linux and web. Match those choices to how your team plans to administer physical servers.
No Android platform detail is provided for these tools. If you need phone access, verify it with the software maker before choosing.
Compare free and paid terms
A free plan is offered by tools in this category, while paid entries can show a starting price or pricing on request. Check what the free plan includes before committing.
Open-source code is available from tools in this category. Review the licence and the support terms when comparing open-source and paid options.
Review provisioning and deployment
Compare the provisioning method with your hardware workflow. Then check whether the deployment model fits a self-hosted setup, an API-driven process or web administration.
Check server lifecycle controls
Lifecycle automation can affect how you add, reconfigure and retire physical machines. Look for the automation approach that matches your operating process.
Match imaging and network needs
OS imaging and network configuration are separate comparison points. Confirm that the tool's approach fits the operating systems and network setup you need to manage.
Hypervisor support is another field in the comparison. Check it when your bare-metal environment also uses virtualisation.
Questions people ask
Are free BMaaS options available?
Yes. The category includes tools marked with a free plan, including entries described as open source. Check the terms for the specific tool.
Which platforms are listed for these tools?
The listed platform types are API, self-hosted, Linux and web. The available platform can differ by tool, so check its entry.
Do paid BMaaS tools show a standard price?
Some paid entries list pricing on request, while Canonical MAAS lists a paid plan from $30 per year alongside its free plan.
What technical features should I compare?
Compare provisioning method, deployment model, lifecycle automation, OS imaging, network configuration and hypervisor support.

