Kyverno vs OPA Gatekeeper: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Kyverno and OPA Gatekeeper side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Kyverno
Unified Policy as Code for Kubernetes and beyond, simplified with YAML and CEL.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (OPA Gatekeeper requires payment)
OPA Gatekeeper
Enforce policies and governance for Kubernetes clusters using Open Policy Agent.
Best for you if:
- • You want leverages the powerful and flexible Rego policy language
| At a Glance | Kyverno | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | DevOps Cloud & Infrastructure | DevOps Security |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 89 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Kyverno or OPA Gatekeeper?
Choose Kyverno if
- You want a fully free tool (OPA Gatekeeper requires payment)
- You want uses familiar YAML and CEL, reducing the learning curve for Kubernetes users
- You want kubernetes-native design integrates seamlessly with existing workflows
Choose OPA Gatekeeper if
- You want leverages the powerful and flexible Rego policy language
- You want provides centralized policy management for Kubernetes
In-Depth Analysis
Kyverno
Unified Policy as Code for Kubernetes and beyond, simplified with YAML and CEL.
Strengths
- Pro: Uses familiar YAML and CEL, reducing the learning curve for Kubernetes users.
- Pro: Kubernetes-native design integrates seamlessly with existing workflows.
- Pro: Comprehensive capabilities including validation, mutation, generation, and cleanup.
- Pro: High performance and security due to CEL's pre-compilation and sandboxed execution.
- Pro: Extensive policy library and rich documentation for easy adoption.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires familiarity with Kubernetes concepts for effective policy creation.
- Con: While extending beyond Kubernetes, its core strength and primary focus remain Kubernetes.
- Con: Comparison with other tools might require understanding specific nuances of each policy engine.
Key features
OPA Gatekeeper
Enforce policies and governance for Kubernetes clusters using Open Policy Agent.
Strengths
- Pro: Leverages the powerful and flexible Rego policy language
- Pro: Provides centralized policy management for Kubernetes
- Pro: Enhances security and compliance posture of clusters
- Pro: Prevents misconfigurations before they are applied
- Pro: Open-source and community-driven
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires learning Rego for complex policies
- Con: Can add latency to API requests if policies are complex
- Con: Initial setup and policy definition can be challenging for beginners
Key features
Key Takeaways
Kyverno
- Choose if you want unified Policy as Code for Kubernetes and beyond, simplified with YAML and CEL
OPA Gatekeeper
- Choose if you want enforce policies and governance for Kubernetes clusters using Open Policy Agent
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only OPA Gatekeeper has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 89 reviews); Kyverno has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Kyverno and OPA Gatekeeper compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only OPA Gatekeeper has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 89 reviews); Kyverno has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are Kyverno and OPA Gatekeeper used for?
Kyverno: Unified Policy as Code for Kubernetes and beyond, simplified with YAML and CEL. OPA Gatekeeper: Enforce policies and governance for Kubernetes clusters using Open Policy Agent.
What does Kyverno cost vs OPA Gatekeeper?
Kyverno is free. OPA Gatekeeper has no public paid-plan price on file.
What's the main difference between Kyverno and OPA Gatekeeper?
Kyverno's main strength: uses familiar YAML and CEL, reducing the learning curve for Kubernetes users. OPA Gatekeeper's main strength: leverages the powerful and flexible Rego policy language.