Telepresence vs k9s: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Telepresence 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:
Telepresence
Accelerate Kubernetes development by running services locally while connected to a remote cluster.
Best for you if:
- • Develop Kubernetes services locally while connected to a remote cluster.
- • Eliminates container build/deploy cycles for faster iteration.
k9s
Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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 |  Telepresence |  k9s |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Debugging | Debugging |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Telepresence | k9s |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | 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 Telepresence and k9s Compare
Telepresence
Accelerate Kubernetes development by running services locally while connected to a remote cluster.
Free
k9s
Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters
Free · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Telepresence
Want the highest-rated option?
k9s scores 88/100. Telepresence 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?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
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
Telepresence
The Bottom Line
k9s (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Telepresence or k9s better?
k9s scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Telepresence and k9s used for?
Telepresence: Accelerate Kubernetes development by running services locally while connected to a remote cluster.. k9s: Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters.
What does Telepresence cost vs k9s?
Telepresence is completely free. k9s is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.