Gefyra vs k9s: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Gefyra and k9s comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Gefyra
Blazingly-fast, rock-solid local application development with Kubernetes.
Best for you if:
- • Run local code directly in Kubernetes without building/pushing containers.
- • Overlay containers in the cluster for immediate code change availability.
k9s
Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • k9s is a terminal-based UI for managing Kubernetes clusters interactively
- • It provides a vim-style interface for navigating pods, logs, and cluster resources
| At a Glance |  Gefyra |  k9s |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Debugging | Debugging |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Gefyra | k9s |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DebuggingTesting & QA | DebuggingTerminal Tools |
How Gefyra and k9s Compare
Gefyra
Blazingly-fast, rock-solid local application development with Kubernetes.
Free tier available
k9s
Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters
Free · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
k9s is free. Gefyra is freemium.
Go with: k9s
Want the highest-rated option?
k9s scores 88/100. Gefyra is unrated.
Go with: k9s
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: k9s
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Gefyra is freemium. k9s is free. Go with k9s if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are debugging tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
k9s
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Gefyra
The Bottom Line
k9s (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gefyra or k9s better?
k9s scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Gefyra is freemium and k9s is free.
What are Gefyra and k9s used for?
Gefyra: Blazingly-fast, rock-solid local application development with Kubernetes.. k9s: Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters.
What does Gefyra cost vs k9s?
Gefyra is freemium (free tier + paid plans). k9s is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.