Top 13 DevOps Tools to Simplify Your Development Pipeline

The tools you use can make or break your efficiency as a software development or operations team. You juggle multiple workflows, tackle repetitive tasks, and strive to maintain code quality while handling complex processes.

With so many moving parts in the DevOps environment, achieving seamless integration and continuous improvement can feel like Mission Impossible, part 8. 

That’s where DevOps tools come in. They simplify workflows, automate manual tasks, and improve team collaboration. They’re also great for streamlining deployment pipelines and version control. Let’s face it: modern software development can’t work without them.

And you’re on the right page to get started.

By the end of this article, you’ll know how to pick the right DevOps tools and implement them effectively to drive success in your DevOps journey.

Let’s get started.

What Are DevOps Tools?

DevOps tools increase collaboration between development and operations teams by allowing faster, more reliable software delivery. These tools support every stage of the software development lifecycle, from planning and coding to testing, deployment, and monitoring.

Whether you’re managing code repositories, setting up deployment pipelines, or improving cloud-native applications, DevOps tools make it easier to handle complex workflows. As a result, you can focus on delivering high-quality applications without delays. 

Let’s see the exact advantages you can expect:

Benefits of DevOps Tools

Using DevOps tools gives you the edge to work smarter and faster. They improve collaboration across your teams, streamline deployments, and reduce errors. These tools help you deliver reliable applications efficiently by automating processes and offering complete visibility. 

Here's the complete breakdown:

• Improved collaboration: Seamlessly connect your development, operations, and agile teams for smoother workflows.
• Faster deployments: Speed up the deployment of applications with efficient DevOps pipelines.
• Reduced errors: Automate repetitive tasks such as code review processes (linting, security, SAST, etc.) to minimize human errors and improve code quality. As a result, you can focus on delivering high-quality applications without delays. 
• Better observability: Gain real-time insights into performance bottlenecks using monitoring tools.
• Support for modern applications: Improve workflows for container images, Docker containers, and cloud-native applications.
• Enhanced scalability: Integrate effortlessly with cloud providers such as Google Cloud Platform to handle cloud resources easily.

DevOps Tools List

Finding the right DevOps tools transforms your work by simplifying processes, boosting collaboration, and enabling faster, more reliable delivery. Let’s see the tools you can use throughout your software delivery lifecycle.

Metrics Dashboard Tools

Metrics dashboards give you a complete view of your workflows and delivery performance. They help you track progress, identify bottlenecks, and plan effectively.

Whether you’re focused on team productivity or delivery speed, these tools maintain transparency across your teams.

1. Axify

Axify consolidates all your essential engineering metrics in one place and provides unparalleled visibility into your software development lifecycle. It collects real-time data and provides actionable insights through seamless integration with tools like Jira, GitHub, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps.

Axify helps you track DORA metrics and streamline workflows for faster, more predictable deliveries. 

As developers and software engineers ourselves, we worked to create a user-friendly dashboard that helps you see the right metrics for continuous improvement. We want to help you improve every aspect of your development process without adding unnecessary complexity.

That’s why Axify also helps you identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies across your workflows. The Value Stream Mapping feature will be handy because it breaks down each phase of your software delivery lifecycle and pinpoints areas that slow you down. This helps you focus on improving activities that add the most value. It’s a proactive way to keep your DevOps pipeline running smoothly.

Pros:

• Connect Axify with tools like Azure DevOps, GitLab CI/CD, and more to create a streamlined DevOps pipeline.
• Built for streamlined reporting.
• Get immediate visibility into performance metrics.
• Facilitate effective communication and solve aging tasks with built-in tools such as Daily Digest.
• Use predictive analytics for better planning and decision-making.

Cons:

• You won’t find customizable dashboards. However, Axify focuses on simplicity, so it displays essential metrics selected based on scientific studies.
• Axify doesn’t directly provide automation features. It focuses instead on reporting and insights.

TL;DR: Axify makes focusing on what matters most easier – delivering better software while keeping your team aligned and productive. Here's how we rate Axify:

Monitoring and Observability

Monitoring and observability are vital to understanding your systems' performance and maintaining smooth operations. Using tools designed for proactive monitoring and alerting helps you gain visibility into key metrics and reduce downtime.

Let’s discuss some popular tools that help you avoid potential issues in your DevOps workflows.

2. Prometheus

Prometheus is an open-source monitoring tool built to meet the demands of modern IT systems. We like that it tracks metrics from dynamic cloud environments and containerized applications.

Also, Prometheus integrates seamlessly with Kubernetes and leverages features such as Prometheus Operator for simplified deployment. Its time-series database stores metrics, while PromQL enables you to create detailed queries for insights.

We also used its exporters and service discovery features to gather data from various sources without manual intervention. They’re pretty good at that. You also can’t deny that Prometheus delivers reliable observability, which is great for whether you’re managing a microservices architecture or ensuring optimal performance for a small app.

Besides, Prometheus has some flexible alerting capabilities through Alertmanager. This allows you to define precise thresholds for issues such as latency spikes or resource exhaustion.

Also, its modular architecture lets you extend functionality with tools such as Pushgateway for short-lived jobs or Thanos for long-term metric storage. We like this adaptability because it means Prometheus suits diverse DevOps needs.

Pros:

• Prometheus tracks a wide range of metrics across systems and applications.
• It integrates naturally with Kubernetes for cloud-native applications.
• PromQL allows for detailed insights into performance and resource usage.
• Handles large-scale systems with multiple services effectively.

Cons:

• Configuring alerts through Alertmanager can be complex.
• Requires integration with tools like Grafana for rich dashboards.
• Long-term storage requires external tools like Thanos.

TL;DR: Prometheus offers a solid foundation for monitoring your systems, but it thrives when paired with additional visualization and alert management tools. Here's how we rate it:

3. New Relic

New Relic is a cloud-based platform designed to deliver end-to-end observability for complex systems. Our engineers like its powerful tools to monitor application performance, detect anomalies, and improve your infrastructure. 

Our DevOps teams like this kind of detailed insights into the health of their systems, from application deployment to real-time anomaly detection.

We also appreciate its Application Performance Monitoring (APM) module, which captures data such as response times and error rates. This offers a full-stack view of your software.

Coupled with AI-driven anomaly detection, you can identify and address issues before they impact customer satisfaction. Its customizable dashboards can help you visualize metrics from multiple sources in one unified view.

With integrations for cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, New Relic supports hybrid environments and provides real-time monitoring across distributed systems. Our devs used this in different scenarios throughout their careers, from running Kubernetes clusters to managing mobile applications. We appreciate that New Relic adapts to your needs quite well, but the counterpoint is a steep learning curve.

Pros:

• Exceptional in identifying performance bottlenecks in modern applications.
• Offers a unified view of your systems and makes it easy to monitor application and infrastructure health.
• Proactively flags unusual behavior for quicker resolution.
• Seamlessly integrates with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Cons:

• Requires significant time investment to master its advanced features.
• Smaller teams or systems may find it demanding in terms of resources.
• Compared to some competitors, integration options are fewer.

TL;DR: New Relic offers great monitoring and analytics features that can transform how you manage your systems. While its rich functionality is impressive, be prepared for the learning curve it demands. Here's how we rate it:

Version Control

Version control tools are essential for organizing, securing, and making your code accessible across teams. They also help you manage changes, collaborate effectively, and maintain a clear history of your software development.

Modern development teams need version control tools. Here are the best ones:

4. GitLab

GitLab is an open-source DevOps platform that simplifies code management and enhances collaboration. It offers excellent version control, continuous integration, and deployment capabilities. In our engineers’ opinion, GitLab combines everything you need into one interface, including repository hosting, automated testing, and project management tools.

Our teams have also used GitLab’s CI/CD pipelines in different circumstances. They like how these automate repetitive tasks, allow faster delivery, and reduce errors in your workflows. 

Besides, GitLab supports various programming languages and integrates seamlessly with Docker Hub, Kubernetes, and cloud-based platforms. Whether you’re working on an open-source project or managing enterprise-grade deployments, this will be great because you can maintain high standards while streamlining processes.

GitLab also promotes transparency and accountability through its issue-tracking and merge request systems. We’ve used it to track progress, review code, and document changes efficiently. Its support for feature flags allows you to test and roll out new functionalities with reduced risk. Axify integrates with GitLab and GitLab Issue to extract high-quality data. With Axify, you can access information on project progress, development processes, and performance indicators in one place for all repositories, teams, and projects.

Pros:

• Automates testing and deployment for a smoother workflow.
• Keeps your source code secure and accessible.
• Adapts well to both small teams and large enterprise environments.
• Simplifies container management within the same platform.

Cons:

• Requires substantial infrastructure for large-scale usage.
• Takes time to fully understand and use all features.
• Fewer options compared to some competitors.

TL;DR: GitLab’s versatility makes it a solid choice for managing your source code and automating your workflows. Here's how we rate it:

5. GitHub

GitHub is one of the most popular version control and collaboration platforms for developers, so we, like many other dev teams, have used it to manage code repositories and automate workflows.

GitHub's key features include pull requests for code reviews, GitHub Actions for automation, and Copilot integration for faster coding. These are all designed to streamline the software development lifecycle. However, GitHub isn’t very good at managing long pull requests or large repositories for enterprise-level deployments.

As a cloud-based platform, GitHub integrates well with a wide range of tools and services, which is the adaptability you want in your DevTools. For example, it integrates with Jira and Slack, which is excellent for Agile teams because it allows effective communication and issue resolution.

We also used GitHub for collaborative development because it provides a centralized location for code management, issue tracking, and documentation. It’s a solid tool for open-source projects.

Pros:

• GitHub connects effortlessly with project management and CI/CD tools, which reduces the need for multiple platforms.
• Pull requests and inline commenting make code reviews more interactive and efficient.
• GitHub Actions simplifies the creation of CI/CD pipelines, which saves you time on repetitive tasks.
• Dependabot ensures your projects stay secure with automated dependency updates.

Cons:

• Beginners might find its extensive feature set overwhelming.
• Not great for long pull requests or large repositories.
• Running workflows with GitHub Actions can be resource-intensive for large-scale projects.

TL;DR: GitHub offers an unmatched combination of features for version control and DevOps workflows. Here's how we rate it:

6. Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps is a comprehensive platform developed by Microsoft. We’ve used it for planning, coding, testing, and deploying applications into a single platform.

That’s why we think Azure DevOps is a solid pick for teams looking to enhance collaboration and efficiency. It supports various programming languages and platforms, making it a versatile tool for cross-functional teams.

With features such as Azure Boards for task tracking, Azure Repos for version control, and Azure Pipelines for CI/CD automation, you can seamlessly manage every stage of development.

Azure DevOps tackles big enterprise projects without breaking a sweat. It brings everything you need: Azure Test Plans for quality assurance, Azure Artifacts for package management, and robust security that keeps your code safe. Since it plays nicely with Visual Studio and Microsoft Teams, developers can stay in their comfort zone while getting work done.

Its tight integration with other Microsoft tools, such as Visual Studio and Microsoft Teams, adds to its functionality.

Pros:

• Perfect for teams already using Microsoft products such as Teams, Office, and Visual Studio.
• Automates builds, tests, and deployments with YAML or visual workflows.
• Supports cloud-based and on-premises setups by giving you more control over your environment.
• Works with various programming languages and cloud services.

Cons:

• The interface can feel overwhelming for first-time users.
• Project planning tools are less intuitive than specialized solutions like Jira.
• Advanced features can be expensive, especially for smaller teams.

TL;DR: Azure DevOps is a powerful tool that caters to teams of all sizes. Here's how we rate it:

7. Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a Git repository management tool developed by Atlassian. Devs use it frequently to manage code repositories, handle pull requests, and automate CI/CD pipelines.

It integrates natively with Atlassian tools such as Jira and Confluence, making it an excellent choice if you already use those platforms.

Bitbucket is better for small teams, though. Large enterprises may look at another solution because Bitbucket Cloud repositories have a 4.0 GB limit. We advise you to look into its private repositories for added control, with a free plan for small teams and affordable premium options for larger setups.

Bitbucket’s standout features include good version control, branch permissions, and built-in CI/CD pipelines through Bitbucket Pipelines. With these features, you can manage your repositories securely, enforce best practices through branch policies, and track your development progress efficiently.

Pros:

• Seamless integration with Atlassian tools like Jira and Confluence.
• Built-in CI/CD pipelines make deployment straightforward.
• Strong security features such as branch permissions and IP whitelisting.
• Free plan available for small teams with basic needs.

Cons:

• The user interface can feel less intuitive compared to other tools like GitHub.
• Notification settings can be overwhelming and lack customization options.
• Lacks features like built-in project management tools and relies heavily on Jira for such capabilities.
• 4.0 GB limit for its repositories

TL;DR: Bitbucket is ideal if you’re on a team using Atlassian tools or need secure and scalable Git repository hosting. Here's how we rate it:

CI/CD Automation

Creating efficient CI/CD pipelines is important for modern software development. With automation tools, you can streamline building, testing, and deployment processes to reduce errors and save time. Here, you'll learn about some tools that transformed DevOps workflows globally.

8. Jenkins

Jenkins is an open-source CI/CD tool that helps you automate every step of the software delivery process. Some of our engineers used it to manage builds, run tests, or deploy code. The consensus is that Jenkins simplifies your workflows. 

Jenkins's plugin ecosystem adapts it to countless use cases, from simple builds to complex, multi-stage pipelines. With over 1,800 plugins, you can customize Jenkins to suit your team’s needs perfectly. Its web-based interface lets you quickly set up projects, manage jobs, and monitor progress.

Like other DevOps tools, Jenkins is versatile and supports integration with tools such as Git, Docker, and Kubernetes. 

In addition to its well-known features, our devs have used Jenkins throughout their careers to handle parallel workflows. This allows you to run multiple tasks simultaneously across different environments. With this capability, you can significantly reduce build and deployment times for large projects.

Another advantage of Jenkins is its strong community support. You can access troubleshooting resources and continuous updates to keep your pipelines optimized.

Pros:

• Extensive plugin library for integration and customization.
• Open-source and highly cost-effective for teams of any size.
• Supports distributed builds, enhancing scalability for larger projects.
• Provides pipeline visualization for better clarity on build stages.

Cons:

• The interface feels outdated compared to newer tools.
• Initial setup and configuration can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Dependency on plugins might lead to compatibility issues.

TL;DR: With Jenkins, you gain a reliable tool that adapts to your evolving CI/CD needs. It’s not perfect, but its flexibility and automation capabilities make it a must-try for DevOps teams.

Here's how we rate it:

9. GitLab CI/CD

GitLab CI/CD is a good DevOps automation tool. It integrates seamlessly into the GitLab platform and offers tools to build, test, and deploy applications effortlessly. The tool is suitable for small projects and managing large-scale enterprise development because it’s flexible and has preconfigured pipelines.

We advise using GitLab CI/CD's parallel and distributed jobs to reduce build times and improve efficiency. In addition, our DevOps team believes that GitLab CI/CD is more intuitive than Jenkins.

The overall features are solid. Auto DevOps simplifies pipeline creation, and its interactive web terminals are great for debugging jobs in real-time. It also excels in security, with features like dependency scanning, container scanning, and code quality analysis to ensure secure deployments.

GitLab CI/CD is also built for collaboration. The tool allows you to review code changes, test performance, and improve your deployment process in a single environment.

Pros:

• Flexible pipelines that cater to diverse workflows.
• Advanced security features such as container and dependency scanning.
• Built-in integration with tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Review apps that provide real-time feedback on code changes.

Cons:

• The interface can feel sluggish during heavy usage.
• Larger projects may face challenges with scalability.
• Unlocking advanced features requires moving to higher-priced plans.

TL;DR: GitLab CI/CD stands out for its flexibility; hence, it's a go-to choice for many development teams. Here's how we rate it:

Configuration Management

Configuration management tools ensure your IT systems remain consistent and predictable to save time and effort. The tools below stand out as accessible yet powerful options for automating repetitive tasks and managing infrastructure effectively. Let’s see what makes them popular for teams of all sizes.

10. Ansible

Ansible is an open-source configuration management and automation tool that simplifies deploying, configuring, and maintaining IT systems. Ansible uses an agentless architecture, unlike many tools that rely on agents installed on target machines. You only need SSH access and Python installed on the target machines. This makes it lightweight and easy to use.

Our engineers also like that Ansible allows you to describe automation tasks in plain, readable text, thanks to its YAML-based playbooks. This lowers the barrier to entry and encourages collaboration between teams

We advise using Ansible to manage servers, network devices, and cloud infrastructures like AWS and Azure. Ansible’s extensive library of modules makes it flexible enough to handle almost any use case.

We also noticed that Ansible shines in hybrid environments, where you need to manage both on-premise and cloud-based resources. It can orchestrate tasks across different environments, which is great for consistency and reduced errors, even in complex infrastructures.

As a side note, we’ve used Ansible Galaxy’s pre-built roles and playbooks. These are a treasure trove of community expertise to accelerate your projects.

Pros:

• Agentless architecture eliminates setup overhead.
• YAML-based playbooks are easy to write and understand.
• Extensive module library supports diverse automation needs.
• Strong community support provides excellent resources for troubleshooting.

Cons:

• Lack of real-time monitoring requires third-party integrations.
• Steep learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with YAML.
• State tracking is less robust than some competitors, like Puppet.

TL;DR: Ansible is an excellent choice for simplicity and flexibility without sacrificing power. Here's how we rate it:

11. Chef

Chef is a powerful configuration management tool that automates managing and deploying infrastructure as code. It's designed for flexibility and scalability and can help you maintain consistency across diverse IT environments. Whether you're working in a data center, the cloud, or hybrid systems, Chef makes managing your infrastructure straightforward and efficient.

Chef's infrastructure-as-code (IaC) approach allows you to define your configurations in reusable scripts, called recipes, written in Ruby. These recipes are part of cookbooks that enable you to automate tasks like installing software, managing services, and configuring systems. Its idempotent nature ensures that changes are applied only when necessary, maintaining your systems' desired state without redundant actions.

Pros:

• Powerful compliance automation ensures systems meet regulatory standards.
• Integrates seamlessly with cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Flexible automation scripts (recipes) provide granular control over configurations.
• Strong community support and an extensive library of plugins.

Cons:

• Ruby-based scripting requires prior programming knowledge, which increases the learning curve.
• Resource-intensive for small teams or operations.
• Premium pricing can be restrictive for smaller organizations.

TL;DR: Chef also provides a compliance feature that automatically remediates non-compliant systems, and this can reduce audit-related complexities. Here's how we rate it:

Containerization and Orchestration

Containerization and orchestration tools have redefined how you manage applications. They allow you to streamline deployments, ensure consistency across environments, and scale with ease. Below are two of the most popular tools in this category.

12. Docker

Docker is an open-source containerization platform that helps you create, deploy, and run applications inside lightweight, portable containers. It simplifies your workflows by bundling everything your application needs, such as code, runtime, and dependencies, into a standardized unit that works seamlessly across environments.

Our DevOps professionals who have worked with Docker before said it boosted their productivity and made application management more straightforward. We think Docker’s key strength lies in its ability to isolate applications in containers to ensure they perform reliably across different systems.

We also like its "build once, run anywhere" approach. It means you can develop on your local machine and deploy the same container to production without worrying about inconsistencies. Docker’s ecosystem also includes tools such as Docker Compose for multi-container applications and Docker Hub for sharing and managing container images.

Pros:

• Easy to create and deploy containers to ensure consistency across environments.
• Highly portable, so you can run Docker containers on your local machine, in the cloud, or on-premises.
• Great ecosystem with tools such as Docker Compose and Docker Hub.
• Lightweight compared to traditional virtual machines, which reduces resource overhead.

Cons:

• Debugging container issues, especially in complex environments, can be time-consuming.
• Containers share the host OS kernel, which may raise security concerns for sensitive workloads.
• Advanced orchestration typically requires integration with other tools like Kubernetes.

TL;DR: Docker empowers you to work smarter by reducing the time spent on environment configuration and deployment processes. Here's how we rate it:

13. Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform designed to help you deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications. As you probably noticed from this review, many DevOps tools above integrate with it.

That’s because it is excellent for automating load balancing, scaling, and rolling updates, making it a favorite for managing complex workloads.

Our engineers like that Kubernetes is a unified platform that allows developers and operations teams to collaborate seamlessly using declarative configuration files. It also shines when it comes to workload portability. It can run across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, so you’re not locked into a single provider.

Also, it has Helm charts that simplify the deployment of complex applications by packaging Kubernetes configurations. This makes them reusable and easier to share across teams.

Pros:

• You can scale workloads quickly with auto-scaling for pods and nodes.
• Kubernetes uses YAML files, which make resource management consistent and version-controlled.
• It automatically restarts failed containers and reschedules them on healthy nodes.
• The API supports custom plugins and integrations, which allows you to tailor Kubernetes to your needs.

Cons:

• Kubernetes is complex to set up and requires deep expertise to operate effectively.
• While extensive, the documentation can be fragmented and complex to follow.
• Running Kubernetes can be demanding regarding system resources, particularly for small teams.
• Networking configurations can be frustrating to manage, especially in multi-cloud or hybrid environments.

TL;DR: Kubernetes is a game-changer for managing containerized workloads, especially in microservices architectures. Here's how we rate it:

How to Choose the Right DevOps Tools

Selecting the right DevOps tools can feel overwhelming, but focusing on what matters most to you and your team simplifies the process. Price is a key factor because some tools are free and open source. In contrast, others charge licensing fees that might strain smaller budgets.

Security and data hosting are equally important, especially if you handle sensitive data or work in regulated industries. Open-source tools offer control and flexibility, but commercial products often have dedicated support.

Extensibility also plays a significant role. Tools with great marketplaces or add-ons let you tailor functionality as your team grows. You should assess how easily new tools integrate with your existing platforms and workflows.

Here are some tips for choosing the right DevOps tool:

• Consider your team's size and expertise: Tools with steep learning curves may slow you down if you have smaller or less experienced teams.
• Identify workflow bottlenecks: You should choose tools that address inefficiencies in your current process.
• Focus on integrations: Look for tools that seamlessly connect with your existing platforms.
• Balance cost with features: Open-source solutions can be budget-friendly, but paid tools may offer more stability and support, as well as a higher repository limit.
• Evaluate extensibility: Tools with add-ons or plugin support let you expand capabilities as needed.

Best Practices for DevOps Tools Implementation

Successful implementation of DevOps tools requires a thoughtful, step-by-step approach. Jumping in too fast or without a clear plan can lead to confusion and wasted resources.

Here’s what our engineering team advises.

First, start small with a pilot team to test tools before rolling them out across your organization. This will help you identify what works and what doesn’t without disrupting your workflows.

Gradual investment is another smart move. You don’t need full automation and observability from day one. Begin with essential tools, and add more as your processes mature and your team gains confidence. 

To ensure adoption, invest in training. Equip your team with the knowledge to maximize the tools’ potential and create enthusiasm. Also, track and review your workflows regularly to ensure your chosen tool aligns with your goals.

Are you looking to streamline your DevOps processes and empower your team? Book a demo with Axify today to see how we can transform your workflows into effortless efficiency!