# OpenStack: Free Open Source Alternative to Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/openstack
Last updated: 2026-11-07

OpenStack (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, VMware. OpenStack manages compute, storage, and networking across VMs, bare metal, and containers via APIs or a dashboard. Trusted by Walmart, China Mobile, and more.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: OpenStack
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://www.openstack.org/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/openstack/openstack
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 6.1k
- **Runs On**: Local
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/openstack/openstack or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (4)
Replacing these paid tools with OpenStack saves up to $100/mo ($1,200/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amazon Web Services](https://caniforkit.com/aws) | [hosting](https://caniforkit.com/category/hosting) | $25/mo | [Compare Amazon Web Services vs OpenStack](https://caniforkit.com/vs/aws-vs-openstack) |
| [Google Cloud](https://caniforkit.com/google-cloud) | [hosting](https://caniforkit.com/category/hosting) | $25/mo | [Compare Google Cloud vs OpenStack](https://caniforkit.com/vs/google-cloud-vs-openstack) |
| [Microsoft Azure](https://caniforkit.com/microsoft-azure) | [hosting](https://caniforkit.com/category/hosting) | $25/mo | [Compare Microsoft Azure vs OpenStack](https://caniforkit.com/vs/microsoft-azure-vs-openstack) |
| [VMware](https://caniforkit.com/vmware) | [hosting](https://caniforkit.com/category/hosting) | $25/mo | [Compare VMware vs OpenStack](https://caniforkit.com/vs/vmware-vs-openstack) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is OpenStack free and open source?
OpenStack is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on local. OpenStack manages compute, storage, and networking across VMs, bare metal, and containers via APIs or a dashboard. Trusted by Walmart, China Mobile, and more.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using OpenStack?
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)