Digger

Overview

Digger is an emerging open-source Infrastructure as Code (IaC) orchestration platform designed to simplify Terraform workflows within CI/CD pipelines. Built with a GitOps-first approach, Digger enables teams to manage infrastructure deployments through pull requests while maintaining security, compliance, and collaboration standards. The platform positions itself as a cost-effective alternative to Terraform Cloud and other enterprise IaC solutions.

What sets Digger apart is its focus on running Terraform operations directly within existing CI/CD environments rather than requiring a separate infrastructure management platform. This approach reduces vendor lock-in while providing familiar workflows for development teams already comfortable with Git-based operations. The tool supports multiple cloud providers and integrates with popular CI/CD platforms like GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and Jenkins.

Digger's architecture emphasizes flexibility and control, allowing organizations to maintain their infrastructure state files and execution environments while benefiting from advanced orchestration features. The platform includes policy enforcement, cost estimation, and approval workflows that help teams scale their infrastructure operations safely.

Key Features

• GitOps Workflow Integration: Native support for pull request-based infrastructure changes with automated planning and approval processes
• Multi-Cloud Support: Works with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other cloud providers through standard Terraform providers
• Policy as Code: Built-in policy enforcement using Open Policy Agent (OPA) for compliance and security governance
• Cost Estimation: Automatic cost impact analysis for infrastructure changes before deployment
• State Management: Flexible backend configuration with support for various state storage options
• CI/CD Platform Integration: Seamless integration with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, and other popular CI/CD tools
• Approval Workflows: Configurable approval processes for infrastructure changes with role-based access control
• Drift Detection: Automated detection of infrastructure configuration drift from desired state
• Plan Visualization: Clear visualization of Terraform plans within pull request comments
• Secret Management: Integration with various secret management solutions for secure credential handling
• Parallel Execution: Support for running multiple Terraform operations concurrently
• Custom Hooks: Extensible architecture allowing custom scripts and integrations
• Audit Logging: Comprehensive logging and audit trails for all infrastructure operations

Pricing Details

Digger follows a freemium pricing model with a strong emphasis on open-source availability. The core platform is completely free and open-source, allowing unlimited self-hosted usage without licensing fees. This makes it particularly attractive for cost-conscious organizations and those with strict data sovereignty requirements.

The free tier includes all core features including GitOps workflows, policy enforcement, cost estimation, and basic integrations. Organizations can deploy and manage Digger on their own infrastructure without any usage limitations or feature restrictions in the open-source version.

For organizations requiring additional enterprise features, Digger offers a cloud-hosted version and enterprise support plans. The cloud offering includes managed hosting, advanced analytics, priority support, and additional integrations. Pricing for enterprise tiers is typically customized based on organization size and requirements, though specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed and require direct contact with the vendor.

The company also offers professional services for implementation, training, and custom integrations, which can be valuable for organizations looking to accelerate their adoption of the platform.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Open-source foundation provides transparency and eliminates vendor lock-in concerns
• Integrates naturally with existing CI/CD pipelines without requiring separate infrastructure
• Cost-effective alternative to enterprise IaC platforms, especially for smaller teams
• Strong GitOps support aligns well with modern development practices
• Policy enforcement capabilities help maintain compliance and security standards
• Active development and responsive community support

Cons:

• Smaller ecosystem and community compared to established alternatives like Terraform Cloud
• Documentation and learning resources are still developing
• Enterprise features and integrations may be limited compared to mature commercial solutions
• Requires more initial setup and configuration compared to fully managed alternatives

Who Should Use This Tool?

Digger is particularly well-suited for development teams and DevOps engineers who are already comfortable with Git workflows and CI/CD pipelines. Organizations that prioritize open-source solutions and want to avoid vendor lock-in will find Digger's architecture appealing. The tool is ideal for small to medium-sized teams that need enterprise-like IaC orchestration capabilities without the associated costs.

Startups and growing companies that want to establish scalable infrastructure practices early will benefit from Digger's GitOps approach and policy enforcement features. The platform is also suitable for organizations with strict compliance requirements that need full control over their infrastructure deployment processes and data.

Teams already using Terraform extensively and looking to improve their collaboration and approval workflows will find Digger's pull request-based approach familiar and effective. Organizations that want to implement policy as code and automated cost estimation without significant infrastructure changes will appreciate Digger's lightweight integration model.

Final Verdict

Digger represents a compelling option in the Infrastructure as Code orchestration space, particularly for teams seeking an open-source alternative to commercial solutions. Its GitOps-first approach and CI/CD integration strategy align well with modern development practices, making it a natural fit for teams already comfortable with these workflows.

While the platform may not yet have the feature breadth or ecosystem maturity of established competitors, its open-source foundation and active development trajectory suggest strong potential for growth. The cost benefits are significant, especially for smaller organizations or those just beginning their IaC journey.

The tool's emphasis on policy enforcement and approval workflows addresses critical needs in infrastructure management, while its flexibility in deployment and integration options provides the control that many organizations require. For teams willing to invest in setup and configuration, Digger offers a powerful and cost-effective solution for scaling Terraform operations.