Compare software

AWS Tools for PowerShell vs AWS CLI: catalog facts
AWS Tools for PowerShell	AWS CLI
Free The tools are free; you pay for the AWS services you use.	Free The CLI is free; the AWS services it controls are billed separately.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Command line
Idiomatic PowerShell cmdlets with pipeline support Covers the same operations as the AWS SDK for .NET	One tool for many AWS services Scriptable for automation
Requires an AWS account and credentials Only useful for managing AWS resources	Only useful with an AWS account Large command surface takes time to learn
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
Account needed	Account needed
Needs internet	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.