Minimal Kubernetes distribution by Canonical
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Lightweight Kubernetes
Biggest con
Ubuntu focused
TL;DR - MicroK8s
- MicroK8s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution from Canonical
- It installs as a single package for development and edge computing
- Completely free and open-source
What is MicroK8s?
Available on: Linux
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight Kubernetes
- Easy setup
- Good for dev
- Snap-based
- Canonical backed
Cons
- Ubuntu focused
- Not for production
- Add-on management
- Resource usage
- Alternative to minikube
Ratings Across the Web
MicroK8s holds an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 17 reviews across G2, last checked May 29, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Aug 25, 2026
Open Source
Free
- Free to use
- Full Kubernetes
- Edge & IoT ready
- Community support
Ubuntu Pro
Custom
- 12-year LTS support
- Security patches
- Enterprise support
- CVE fixes
Is MicroK8s worth the price?
MicroK8s offers an incredibly generous pricing model with its free and open-source tier, providing full Kubernetes functionality at no cost.
The 'Custom' pricing for Ubuntu Pro indicates enterprise-grade support, which is standard for such offerings. This structure is ideal for developers and small teams looking for a cost-effective Kubernetes solution, scaling to enterprises needing robust support.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Enterprise support cost is custom, not transparent
No clear pricing for additional services
Reliance on Ubuntu Pro for long-term support
How MicroK8s Compares to Competitors
Compared to managed Kubernetes services like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) or Amazon EKS, MicroK8s' open-source offering is significantly more cost-effective as it's free, though it requires self-management. While GKE and EKS offer managed control planes, their pricing scales with usage, making MicroK8s a compelling alternative for those willing to manage their own infrastructure, especially for edge or local development.
Reviews
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MicroK8s FAQ
How does MicroK8s support local Kubernetes development?
Which teams would benefit most from using MicroK8s?
How is MicroK8s priced?
What kind of limitations should users be aware of with MicroK8s?
How does MicroK8s compare to K3s for container orchestration?
Can MicroK8s be used for hosting and deployment tasks?
Source: microk8s.io