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.
Pricing Plans
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
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Enterprise support cost is custom, not transparent
No clear pricing for additional services
Reliance on Ubuntu Pro for long-term support
Which Plan Do You Need?
Developers and hobbyists
Edge and IoT deployments
Enterprises needing LTS 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.
MicroK8s Pricing FAQ
How much does MicroK8s cost?
MicroK8s is free to use. No subscription or one-time fee is required for the core product.
Does MicroK8s have a free plan?
Yes. MicroK8s offers a free plan called "Open Source". It includes: Free to use, Full Kubernetes, Edge & IoT ready.
Is there a cheaper alternative to MicroK8s?
Yes. Popular alternatives to MicroK8s include K3s, Kind, Minikube. Free alternatives include K3s, Kind, Minikube. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to MicroK8s
3 of 3 direct competitors below offer a free plan. Per-seat pricing varies up to 60% across this set.
