Freedom251 › GPU Cluster Management Software
Apache YuniKorn
What Apache YuniKorn is
Apache YuniKorn is a resource scheduler for batch, data, and machine learning workloads on Kubernetes. It provides an alternative to the default Kubernetes scheduler and is described as transparent to existing Kubernetes applications. Hierarchical resource queues give administrators fine-grained tenant controls and can reflect an organization’s structure. Scheduling options include gang scheduling, FIFO and Fair job ordering, resource fairness, reservations, and preemption. A web interface centralizes views of cluster capacity, utilization, and application information. YuniKorn exposes scheduling metrics through Prometheus, and project instructions cover monitoring with Prometheus and Grafana. The project recommends deploying it to an existing Kubernetes cluster using its Helm chart and Helm 3 or later. It is free under the Apache License 2.0. Releases include source tarballs, which must be built before use, and prebuilt Docker images. The project advises checking release artifacts for tampering with GPG or SHA-512. Users can ask for help in the YuniKorn Slack #yunikorn-user channel or through the user mailing list.
Who it suits
YuniKorn suits teams running batch, data, or machine learning workloads on Kubernetes and developers interested in using or contributing to the project.
What it does well
- Free under the Apache License 2.0.
- Hierarchical queues provide tenant resource controls.
- Supports gang scheduling, reservations, and preemption.
- Web UI shows capacity, utilization, and applications.
- Metrics can be exposed via Prometheus.
What to know first
- Source releases must be built before use.
- Deployment guidance assumes an existing Kubernetes cluster.
- No free trial is listed.
Limits
The plan is free under Apache License 2.0. Source code tarballs must be built before use; the recommended Helm deployment requires an existing Kubernetes cluster and Helm 3 or later.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apache YuniKorn | Apache License 2.0 · source code release must be built before use | Free |
As yunikorn.apache.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://yunikorn.apache.org/ and review the release options.
- Prepare an existing Kubernetes cluster and Helm 3 or later for the recommended deployment.
- Deploy YuniKorn to the cluster using its Helm chart.
- Alternatively, obtain a prebuilt Docker image or build a source code tarball before use.
- Check downloaded release artifacts with GPG or SHA-512.
Verdict
YuniKorn offers Kubernetes workload scheduling with tenant queues and several scheduling policies. Teams should account for deployment on an existing cluster and the build step for source releases.
Questions
How much does Apache YuniKorn cost?
The listed plan is free under Apache License 2.0.
What does YuniKorn schedule?
It schedules batch, data, and machine learning workloads on Kubernetes.
Does YuniKorn work with existing Kubernetes applications?
It is described as transparent to existing Kubernetes applications and as an alternative to the default Kubernetes scheduler.
How is YuniKorn deployed?
The project recommends deploying it to an existing Kubernetes cluster with its Helm chart and Helm 3 or later. It releases source code tarballs and prebuilt Docker images.
What scheduling controls does it offer?
Features include hierarchical resource queues, gang scheduling, FIFO and Fair job ordering, resource fairness, reservations, and preemption.
Where can users get help?
Users can ask in the YuniKorn Slack #yunikorn-user channel or use the user mailing list.
Facts from Apache YuniKorn's own pages
- Deployment
- The project recommends deploying YuniKorn to an existing Kubernetes cluster using its Helm chart and Helm 3 or later. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- YuniKorn exposes scheduling metrics via Prometheus, and the project provides instructions for monitoring with Prometheus and Grafana. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The community page identifies users and developers interested in using or contributing to YuniKorn as audiences for its community meetings. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes scheduling
- YuniKorn is a Kubernetes-compatible alternative to the default Kubernetes scheduler and is described as transparent to existing Kubernetes applications. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apache YuniKorn is a resource scheduler for running batch, data, and machine learning workloads on Kubernetes. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Queues
- Hierarchical resource queues provide fine-grained resource controls for tenants and can map to an organization’s structure. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Release format
- YuniKorn is released as source code tarballs, and the project also publishes prebuilt Docker images. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Release verification
- The download page says release artifacts should be checked for tampering using GPG or SHA-512. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Scheduling features
- The scheduler supports gang scheduling, job ordering policies including FIFO and Fair, resource fairness, reservations, and preemption. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks people to report security issues to [email protected] and not disclose them publicly before working with the security team. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can ask for help in the YuniKorn Slack #yunikorn-user channel or use the user mailing list. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Web UI
- The web UI provides a centralized view of cluster capacity, utilization, and application information. · yunikorn.apache.org, 7 Oct 2026
Where Apache YuniKorn stands on Freedom251
- GPU Cluster Management Software#2 of 21