How to Choose the Right CMDB Solution: Best Free CMDB and Open-Source CMDB Tools Included

If you’ve clicked on this article, then you know how much of a headache managing the plethora of configuration items (CIs) in an IT infrastructure can be. Thankfully, to relieve that headache, we got configuration management database (CMDB) software.

 

Why a CMDB Is Necessary for any IT Infrastructure

With 89% of enterprises relying on multi-cloud infrastructures and even more companies migrating from on-prem to cloud, having a Configuration Management Database tool is no longer optional—it’s a must.

Now, if you’re not too familiar with CMDB software, it basically provides a platform for simplifying the process of adding components to a list, visualizing the connections and relationships between them, and, overall, providing a single source of truth that encompasses accurate, up-to-date information on all of the CIs in an IT infra.

But, the thing is, there aren’t just one or two CMDBs out there, so based on the opinions of our lovely IT department at Cloudzy, I’ve made a list of CMDB software that are the best in their unique way.

 

The Experts’ Top Choices

Before we get into this long list of CMDB software and what makes each one unique, I thought it best to mention the best ones our team has worked with and believe to be just that bit better than the rest:

CMDB Software	Use Case
ServiceNow CMDB	Best for Enterprise IT Management
Device42	Best for Hybrid IT Environments
CMDBuild	Best Open-Source CMDB for Customization
SolarWinds	Best for Network Monitoring
Freshservice	Best for IT Asset Discovery and Governance

 

The Best CMDB Solutions

From enterprise-grade tools to open-source CMDB tools, these options cater to a variety of needs, offering fantastic features and notable advantages.

 

ServiceNow CMDB

 

ServiceNow is pretty much the go-to for enterprises thanks to its comprehensive list of features and capabilities, all designed for large and complex IT environments.

• Integration with ServiceNow IT Operations Management and ServiceNow HR Service Delivery.
• Role-based access controls, automated asset discovery, and dependency mapping.
• Expensive, long implementation time, steep learning curve, and complex customization.

Prices are unclear; you can get a quote here.

 

Device42

 

Another enterprise-level CMDB is Device42, a cloud-based platform that features a pre-configured CMDB and a comprehensive library of over 50 cloud app integrations.

• Auto-discovery, visual asset management, API-enabled architecture, resource management, and strong mapping capabilities for hybrid IT environments.
• Pinpoints applications using specific cloud resources for an accurate chargeback to business units.
• Steep learning curve and an overwhelming interface for new users.

Unclear pricing, but estimated to start from $1,449/year/up to 100 devices.

 

CMDBuild

 

CMDBuild is an open-source CMDB platform for building custom asset management applications, offering features like workflow configuration, reporting, dashboards, and asset georeferencing on maps or 3D models.

• Free CMDB, highly customizable and configurable, supports gradual implementation with enterprise architecture (Java, Ajax, PostgreSQL).
• Offers flexibility for specialized asset management.
• It requires technical expertise for setup and customization.
• Support is community-driven and may be challenging for teams without dedicated IT resources.

 

SolarWinds Service Desk

 

Unlike most of the previous ones mentioned in the list, SolarWinds Service Desk is a CMDB software that’s more on the budget-friendly side.

• Budget-friendly and integrates with other SolarWinds tools (network and server monitoring, etc.).
• Boasts automated discovery of CIs, customizable reports to track IT infrastructure KPIs, KB management,
• Limited features and scalability.
• Basic automation that may struggle to handle complex IT environments and manual updates.

Prices start from $39/technician/month.

 

Freshservice

 

Another cloud-based CMDB software, Freshservice by Freshworks, is known for its ease of use and decent range of features.

• Intuitive interface, AI-powered insights, and ITIL 4-compliant workflows.
• Automated discovery of IT assets, relationship mapping, customizable threshold breach alerts, predictive analytics, multi-channel support, and mobile app functionality.
• Limited deep customization options, restricted scalability for large or complex environments, and challenges when integrating with legacy systems.

Prices start from $29/agent/month.

 

BMC Helix CMDB

 

One of the biggest and oldest names in ITSM software was Remedy before BMC acquired it, and BMC has done well in evolving Remedy with its AI and machine-learning capabilities.

• Comprehensive SSOT visualizes relationships between assets and service management processes with business objectives, simulates changes, and identifies risks.
• Complies with ITIL, ISO, PCI-DSS, incident management, drag-and-drop change calendar, and automated collision detection.
• High costs, especially for smaller businesses, may require significant customization and time to implement.

Pricing is unclear; estimates start from $115/agent/month.

 

InvGate Insight

 

Much more so than ServiceNow and Freshservice, InvGate is a fully no-code configuration management database software that’s also fully compatible with all network monitoring solutions.

• Comprehensive IT asset management for physical, virtual, and cloud assets.
• AI-driven ticketing; real-time data normalization; health monitoring with smart tags; asset lifecycle and disposal tracking; compatibility with network monitoring tools; available as cloud or on-premise.
• No-code platform may limit advanced customization for highly specific needs; the breadth of features may require a learning curve for full utilization across different teams.

Prices start from $17/agent/month/5 Agents.

 

Jira Service Management

 

Formerly known as Jira Service Desk, Jira Service Management is a platform designed as a traditional service management system offering modern agile practices.

• Unified platform for ITSM, integrated CMDB, 1000+ integrations with popular tools like AWS, Jenkins, and CircleCI.
• Advanced SLA monitoring and real-time performance reporting, self-service portals, and synched with Confluence and Jira.
• Advanced configurations may require technical expertise for initial setup, best suited for organizations already using the Atlassian ecosystem.

Prices start from $23.80/agent/month/4–15 agents; free version also available,1-3 agents.

 

GLPI

 

GLPI is a versatile, open-source CMDB and ITSM solution for asset management, helpdesk, and project oversight.

• Comprehensive asset management, strong helpdesk capabilities, customizable SLAs, and project and financial management tools.
• Mobile device management, the flexibility of open-source, on-premise, or cloud deployment, vibrant community, and an extensive range of plugins.
• Requires technical expertise for setup and ongoing management, which may be challenging for smaller teams without dedicated IT support.
• Customization could be difficult without the right configuration.

Price: On-prem starts from ~$11/agent/month/10 agents; On cloud and Free open-source CMDB available. 

 

OpenText CMBD

 

Universal discovery and Universal CMDB, previously from Micro Focus before its acquisition by OpenText, is another great, comprehensive solution you can depend on.

• Centralized management of IT assets, service mapping, data normalization, proactive impact analysis, and alerts for regulatory violations, all in one platform.
• Complex setup and advanced features may have a steep learning curve and require significant resources for implementation, as well as skilled personnel for optimal utilization.
• Pricing is unclear; Try a demo and get a quote here.

 

 

What You Should Know Before Choosing CMDB Software

With so many CMDB software available, on top of the plethora that’s been mentioned already, it’s easy to just look at the first two and choose one of them. But that’s a mistake you’ll pay for in much more than just money.

So, let’s look at a few things you should know and consider that pretty much every expert can agree upon.

 

Integration Capabilities

• Make sure your CMDB integrates with existing tools (ITSM, monitoring, asset management, etc.). Without that, you’re looking at potential silos, fragmented data, and an overall less efficient IT environment.
• Prioritize features such as out-of-the-box integrations with monitoring tools (like Nagios, SolarWinds, or Datadog), support for custom API-based integrations for specialized IT environments, and compatibility with service mapping tools to visualize interactions between IT services for effective impact analysis.
• Look for CMDB solutions that allow you to easily generate reports without having to build complex queries from scratch. This will save you time and effort when reports are needed on the fly.
• ServiceNow CMDB integrates with IT Operations and HR Service Delivery, and Jira Service Management complements other Atlassian tools.

 

Deployment: Cloud vs. On-Premise

• Cloud-based CMDBs offer great scalability and low maintenance since vendors manage updates and integrations with other cloud tools. However, they can struggle with legacy on-premise systems, posing risks for organizations with strict regulatory requirements like GDPR or HIPAA.
• On-premise CMDBs provide total control and deep customization, making them ideal for sectors like healthcare and banking, where data security is critical. But, they demand a solid IT team for upkeep and can create challenges for scaling, leading to performance bottlenecks and hindering growth.
• Cloud-Based: Freshservice AI-driven, cloud-only CMDB with automation, perfect for small to growing businesses.
• On-Premise: CMDBuild Customizable, open-source CMDB tool for organizations demanding control and integration.
• Both: InvGate Insight Flexible CMDB ais vailable on cloud and on-premise, providing real-time data management.

 

Service Dependency Mapping & Impact Analysis

• Service Dependency Mapping: Visualizes relationships between assets and services, essential for troubleshooting, change management, and disaster recovery. Understanding interlinks helps when issues arise.
• Blind Troubleshooting: Without proper mapping tools like SolarWinds Service Desk, troubleshooting turns into guesswork. You might miss how a failure affects your entire infrastructure, risking downtime and costly errors.
• Inefficient Change Management: Changes in one system can unexpectedly disrupt others without proper impact analysis. Tools like ServiceNow and BMC Helix CMDB provide thorough mapping to reduce these risks.

 

Data Normalization and Accuracy

• Make sure your data is consistent by normalizing it. This will align information from different sources, making it more accurate and helping you make smarter IT decisions.
• Inaccurate Data Risks: Using a subpar CMDB can lead to outdated info, causing bad decisions, misconfigurations, security risks, and downtime due to incorrect asset details.
• Automation Challenges: Lacking automated normalization means you’ll rely on slow, error-prone manual updates, undermining efficiency headways expected from a CMDB.

Final Thoughts

A CMDB is a fantastic piece of software if chosen and used correctly. Hopefully, through this article, we’ve been able to help you figure out which one of the many CMDBs out there meet your needs and budget!