Mainflux vs K3s: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Mainflux and K3s 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:
Mainflux
Open-source IoT platform for secure, performant, and scalable connected solutions.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source IoT platform for device management, data aggregation, and application enablement.
- • Microservice-based architecture with Kubernetes and Docker for scalability and performance.
K3s
Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • K3s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution for edge, IoT, and resource-constrained environments
- • It provides full Kubernetes functionality in a single binary under 100MB
| At a Glance |  Mainflux |  K3s |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IoT Platforms | IoT Platforms |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Mainflux | K3s |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IoT Platforms | IoT PlatformsEdge Computing |
How Mainflux and K3s Compare
Mainflux
Open-source IoT platform for secure, performant, and scalable connected solutions.
Free tier available
K3s
Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT
Free · 86/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
K3s is free. Mainflux is freemium.
Go with: K3s
Want the highest-rated option?
K3s scores 86/100. Mainflux is unrated.
Go with: K3s
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: K3s
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mainflux is freemium. K3s is free. Go with K3s if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are iot platforms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
K3s
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Mainflux
The Bottom Line
K3s (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mainflux or K3s better?
K3s scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Mainflux is freemium and K3s is free.
What are Mainflux and K3s used for?
Mainflux: Open-source IoT platform for secure, performant, and scalable connected solutions.. K3s: Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT.
What does Mainflux cost vs K3s?
Mainflux is freemium (free tier + paid plans). K3s is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.