Rancher Desktop Pricing 2026
Plans, costs, and free options for Rancher Desktop
Last updated: February 2, 2026
TL;DR: Rancher Desktop Pricing
Pricing Model
100% Free
Starting Price
$0
Free Option
Yes ✓
FreeNo credit card required
Pricing Model
Rancher Desktop is completely free to use. There are no paid tiers, subscription fees, or hidden costs. You get access to all features at no charge.
100% Free - No payment required
Available Plans
Rancher Desktop
Free
- Container Management
- Kubernetes on the Desktop
- Simple Installation
- Configuration options
- Intuitive Graphical User Interface
- Container Toolchain
- +4 more features
Rancher Desktop vs Competitors: Pricing Comparison
See how Rancher Desktop pricing compares to similar tools in Container Orchestration
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rancher DesktopCurrentBest Value Manage containers and Kubernetes directl... | Yes | Free | —/100 | Details → |
 Kind Run local Kubernetes clusters in Docker | Yes | Free | 80/100 | Pricing → |
Podman Daemonless container management | Yes | Free | 84/100 | Pricing → |
k9sTop Rated Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes cluster... | Yes | Free | 88/100 | Pricing → |
 Containerd Industry-standard container runtime | Yes | Free | 86/100 | Pricing → |
Prices shown are starting prices. Actual pricing may vary based on features and team size.
See all alternatives →Rancher Desktop Pricing FAQ
How much does Rancher Desktop cost?
Rancher Desktop is completely free to use. There are no hidden costs or paid tiers.
Is there a free version of Rancher Desktop?
Yes, Rancher Desktop is entirely free to use with all features included.
Does Rancher Desktop offer a free trial?
Rancher Desktop is completely free, so no trial is needed.
What are cheaper alternatives to Rancher Desktop?
Free or freemium alternatives include Kind, Podman, k9s. View our full comparison to find the best value.
How much does Rancher Desktop cost?
Rancher Desktop is an open-source application and is completely free to use.
Is Rancher Desktop free?
Yes, Rancher Desktop is an open-source project and is available for free.