Nomad vs MicroK8s: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Nomad and MicroK8s 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:
Nomad
Workload orchestrator by HashiCorp
Best for you if:
- • Nomad is a workload orchestrator for deploying and managing applications
- • It schedules containers, VMs, and standalone applications across infrastructure
MicroK8s
Minimal Kubernetes distribution by Canonical
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • MicroK8s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution from Canonical
- • It installs as a single package for development and edge computing
| At a Glance |  Nomad |  MicroK8s |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 76/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Nomad | MicroK8s |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 76 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
How Nomad and MicroK8s Compare
Nomad
Workload orchestrator by HashiCorp
Free tier available · 76/100 score
MicroK8s
Minimal Kubernetes distribution by Canonical
Free · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MicroK8s is free. Nomad is freemium.
Go with: MicroK8s
Want the highest-rated option?
Nomad: 76/100. MicroK8s: 82/100.
Go with: MicroK8s
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: MicroK8s
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Nomad is freemium. MicroK8s is free. Go with MicroK8s if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
MicroK8s scores higher: 82/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
MicroK8s
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 76
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Nomad
The Bottom Line
MicroK8s (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nomad or MicroK8s better?
MicroK8s scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Nomad is freemium and MicroK8s is free.
What are Nomad and MicroK8s used for?
Nomad: Workload orchestrator by HashiCorp. MicroK8s: Minimal Kubernetes distribution by Canonical.
What does Nomad cost vs MicroK8s?
Nomad is freemium (free tier + paid plans). MicroK8s is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.