Caretta

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

What Caretta is

Caretta is a free, self-hosted tool from groundcover that draws a visual map of services and network traffic inside a Kubernetes cluster. It uses eBPF to collect information about service interactions, and the project describes it as lightweight, with a minimal system footprint and no cluster changes required. Caretta runs on Linux and needs kernel version 4.16 or later with CO-RE support.

To install it, use the project’s Helm chart; the project recommends a new, unique namespace. The chart enables bundled VictoriaMetrics and Grafana by default. VictoriaMetrics collects and publishes metrics, and Grafana comes with a dashboard for Caretta metrics. Prometheus-compatible dashboards can consume the metrics. The default polling interval is five seconds. Helm values let operators disable either bundled service, and persistent storage for VictoriaMetrics can be enabled there.

The included Grafana has anonymous mode enabled by default. The README provides administrator credentials for editing or creating dashboards. The repository lists an Apache-2.0 license, and points users to its Slack channel or repository issues for help. The plan is listed as free.

Who it suits

Caretta suits Kubernetes operators who want a visual view of service network interactions and can run it on Linux with kernel 4.16 or later and CO-RE support. It is aimed at self-hosted deployments installed with Helm.

What it does well

Free plan listed as free
Maps Kubernetes service interactions using eBPF
Described as lightweight, with no cluster modifications required
Includes Grafana and a predefined metrics dashboard
Metrics work with Prometheus-compatible dashboards
Apache-2.0 licensed

What to know first

Requires Linux kernel 4.16 or later and CO-RE support
Requires a self-hosted Kubernetes environment and Helm installation
Grafana anonymous mode is enabled by default
VictoriaMetrics persistent storage is disabled by default

Limits

The free plan is listed as free. Caretta requires Linux kernel 4.16 or later with CO-RE support; bundled VictoriaMetrics persistent storage is disabled by default.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Caretta	Open-source Kubernetes tool · install with Helm · requires Linux kernel >= 4.16 and CO-RE support	Free

As github.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Caretta GitHub repository
Confirm the cluster runs Linux kernel 4.16 or later with CO-RE support
Install Caretta using its Helm chart
Use a new, unique namespace as the project recommends
Review the bundled Grafana anonymous access and administrator credentials
Configure bundled services or VictoriaMetrics storage through Helm values

Verdict

Choose Caretta if you need a free visual map of network interactions in a Kubernetes cluster and meet its Linux and CO-RE requirements. Its bundled Grafana dashboard and VictoriaMetrics provide a starting point for viewing metrics. Look elsewhere if you need a service that does not require self-hosting or Helm.

Questions

How much does Caretta cost?

The Caretta plan is listed as free.

Is Caretta open source?

The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.

What platforms does Caretta support?

Caretta is self-hosted and runs on Linux. It requires kernel version 4.16 or later with CO-RE support.

How is Caretta installed?

The project documents installation with a Helm chart and recommends using a new, unique namespace.

Does Caretta include dashboards?

Yes. The Helm chart includes Grafana with a predefined dashboard for Caretta metrics.

Where can users get help?

The project directs users to its Slack channel or repository issues.

Facts from Caretta's own pages

Collection: Caretta uses eBPF to map service network interactions in a Kubernetes cluster. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Configuration: Built-in VictoriaMetrics and Grafana can each be disabled through Helm values; both are enabled by default. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Defaults: The bundled VictoriaMetrics and Grafana instances are enabled by default, and the default metrics polling interval is five seconds. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Footprint: The project describes Caretta as lightweight, with a minimal system footprint, and says it does not require cluster modifications. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Founded: 2021 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Grafana: The Helm chart includes a Grafana instance with a predefined dashboard for Caretta metrics. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Grafana access: The README says anonymous mode is enabled for the default dashboard and lists the default administrator credentials for editing or creating dashboards. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel and California, United States · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Install: The project documents installation through a Helm chart and recommends using a new, unique namespace. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Installation: Caretta is installed with a Helm chart, and the project recommends using a new, unique namespace. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The repository provides Caretta under the Apache License, Version 2.0. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Maker: The Caretta repository identifies groundcover as its maker; groundcover says it is headquartered in Tel Aviv and California. · groundcover.com, 5 Oct 2026
Metrics: Caretta uses VictoriaMetrics to collect and publish metrics, which can be consumed by Prometheus-compatible dashboards. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: Caretta creates a visual network map of services running in a Kubernetes cluster. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Requirements: Caretta requires Linux kernel version 4.16 or later and CO-RE support; the README says Docker for Mac uses a distribution that is not supported. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Security setting: The included Grafana has anonymous mode enabled by default, and the README provides default administrator credentials for editing dashboards. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Storage: Persistent storage for the bundled VictoriaMetrics server is disabled by default and can be enabled through Helm values. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to its Slack channel or to create a GitHub issue for help. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Visualization: The Helm chart includes Grafana with a predefined dashboard for Caretta metrics. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where Caretta stands on Freedom251

eBPF Observability Tools#8 of 29