Knative vs Google Cloud Functions: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Knative and Google Cloud Functions 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:
Knative
Serverless containers on Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Knative is an open-source platform for running serverless workloads on Kubernetes
- • It provides event-driven autoscaling and simplified container deployment
Google Cloud Functions
Serverless compute on Google Cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need serverless features specifically
- • Google Cloud Functions is a serverless execution environment for event-driven code
- • It runs backend code in response to events without managing servers or containers
| At a Glance |  Knative |  Google Cloud Functions |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Serverless |
Rating | 82/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Knative | Google Cloud Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration | Serverless |
How Knative and Google Cloud Functions Compare
Knative
Serverless containers on Kubernetes
Free · 82/100 score
Google Cloud Functions
Serverless compute on Google Cloud
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Knative is a hosting & deployment tool. Google Cloud Functions is in serverless.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Knative is free. Google Cloud Functions is freemium.
Go with: Knative
Want the highest-rated option?
Knative: 82/100. Google Cloud Functions: 85/100.
Go with: Google Cloud Functions
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Google Cloud Functions
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Knative is free. Google Cloud Functions is freemium. Go with Knative if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Knative is a hosting & deployment tool. Google Cloud Functions is in serverless. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Google Cloud Functions scores higher: 85/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Google Cloud Functions
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Knative
- Completely free
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
Google Cloud Functions (85/100) is our pick. That said, Knative is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knative or Google Cloud Functions better?
Google Cloud Functions scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Knative is free and Google Cloud Functions is freemium.
What are Knative and Google Cloud Functions used for?
Knative: Serverless containers on Kubernetes. Google Cloud Functions: Serverless compute on Google Cloud.
What does Knative cost vs Google Cloud Functions?
Knative is completely free. Google Cloud Functions is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.