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Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service
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What Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service is
Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) is a managed Kubernetes service for building and operating production-ready applications across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments. It manages Kubernetes control-plane availability across three AWS Availability Zones and automatically replaces unhealthy control-plane nodes. Applications can run on Amazon EC2 or AWS Fargate; EKS Auto Mode can provision and scale compute, storage, and networking, patch operating systems, and manage add-ons. Hybrid deployments can use Hybrid Nodes, AWS Outposts, or EKS Anywhere. EKS conforms to Kubernetes, supporting compatible applications and community tools, and integrates with IAM, VPC, and Application Load Balancers. EKS Capabilities includes managed Argo CD for deployment management across multiple clusters. AWS identifies security as a shared responsibility, with customers managing guest operating systems, application software, and security-group firewall configuration. There is no minimum fee or upfront commitment, but worker resources and related items are charged separately. Standard Kubernetes version support is $0.10 a month, billed at $0.10 per cluster per hour. AWS lists technical support for service-related issues, but not under the Basic Support Plan.
Who it suits
EKS suits teams running Kubernetes workloads across AWS, on-premises, or edge environments, including the listed use cases of generative AI, data platforms, and application modernization. It may fit organizations that need multi-cluster GitOps management or managed compute options.
What it does well
- Control plane spans three AWS Availability Zones.
- Supports EC2 and AWS Fargate workloads.
- Auto Mode handles infrastructure and add-on operations.
- Supports hybrid deployments and multiple clusters.
- Integrates with IAM, VPC, and load balancers.
What to know first
- No free plan is listed.
- Worker resources and related items cost extra.
- Technical support is unavailable under Basic Support Plan.
- Customers manage guest OS and application software.
Limits
Standard Kubernetes version support lasts 14 months after a Kubernetes version is released; extended support applies for the following 12 months. Worker resources such as EC2 instances, EBS volumes, public IPv4 addresses, and cross-AZ traffic are charged separately.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Kubernetes version support | $0.10 per cluster per hour · Per cluster; standard support lasts 14 months after a Kubernetes version is released | $0.10 a month |
| Extended Kubernetes version support | $0.60 per cluster per hour · Per cluster; applies for the 12 months after standard support ends | $0.60 a month |
| Provisioned Control Plane 8XL | $13.90 per cluster per hour, in addition to standard cluster pricing · 8XL scaling tier | $13.90 a month |
| Provisioned Control Plane XL | $1.65 per cluster per hour, in addition to standard cluster pricing · XL scaling tier | $1.65 a month |
| Provisioned Control Plane 2XL | $3.40 per cluster per hour, in addition to standard cluster pricing · 2XL scaling tier | $3.40 a month |
| Provisioned Control Plane 4XL | $6.90 per cluster per hour, in addition to standard cluster pricing · 4XL scaling tier | $6.90 a month |
As aws.amazon.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Amazon EKS website.
- Choose a deployment across the listed web, API, Linux, macOS, or self-hosted platforms.
- Select standard or extended Kubernetes version support as needed.
- Choose EC2 or Fargate for application compute.
- Consider EKS Auto Mode for infrastructure provisioning and operations.
- Review separate charges for worker resources and related items.
Verdict
EKS combines managed Kubernetes control-plane operations with AWS compute, networking, and identity integrations. Account for separate worker-resource charges and the security tasks that remain the customer's responsibility.
Questions
Does EKS have a free plan?
The pricing note says “Free plan · paid from $1,500/mo,” while the free plan field says no.
What does Kubernetes version support cost?
Standard support is listed at $0.10 a month, billed at $0.10 per cluster per hour. Extended support is listed at $0.60 a month, billed at $0.60 per cluster per hour.
Which platforms does EKS support?
The listed platforms are API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and web.
Can EKS run outside the cloud?
Yes. It supports workloads across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments using Hybrid Nodes, AWS Outposts, or EKS Anywhere.
Does EKS integrate with AWS services?
Listed integrations include IAM for role-based access control, VPC for pod-level networking, and Application Load Balancers for load distribution.
Who handles EKS security?
AWS describes security and compliance as shared responsibility. Customers manage guest operating systems, associated application software, and configuration of AWS-provided security group firewalls.
Facts from Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service's own pages
- Auto Mode
- EKS Auto Mode automates compute, storage, and networking infrastructure provisioning, scaling, operating system patching, and add-on management. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- AWS integrations
- EKS integrates with AWS IAM for role-based access control, VPC for pod-level networking, and Application Load Balancers for load distribution. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Compute
- EKS supports running Kubernetes applications on Amazon EC2 and AWS Fargate. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2006 · aws.amazon.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Seattle, Washington, United States · aws.amazon.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Hybrid deployments
- EKS supports workloads across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments using Hybrid Nodes, AWS Outposts, or EKS Anywhere. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Intended workloads
- AWS describes EKS use cases including generative AI, internal development platforms, data platforms, distributed hybrid applications, and application modernization. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Kubernetes compatibility
- EKS is Kubernetes-conformant and supports applications and community tools compatible with upstream Kubernetes. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Managed control plane
- EKS manages Kubernetes control plane availability and scalability across three AWS Availability Zones and replaces unhealthy control plane nodes automatically. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Managed GitOps
- EKS Capabilities provides fully managed Argo CD for GitOps deployment and management across multiple clusters. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Pricing scope
- EKS has no minimum fees or upfront commitments, while worker-node resources such as EC2 instances, EBS volumes, public IPv4 addresses, and cross-AZ traffic are charged separately. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Amazon EKS is a managed Kubernetes service for building, running, and scaling production-ready applications across environments. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Security and compliance
- AWS states that it supports 143 security standards and compliance certifications, including PCI-DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, FedRAMP, GDPR, FIPS 140-3, and NIST 800-171. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Shared responsibility
- AWS describes security and compliance as shared responsibility; customers manage guest operating systems, associated application software, and configuration of AWS-provided security group firewalls. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- AWS lists technical support for service-related technical issues and says it is unavailable under the Basic Support Plan. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
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