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Grafana k6

Name: Grafana k6
Author: Grafana k6

Free plan Linux

What Grafana k6 is

Grafana k6 is a Linux tool for load, stress, browser-based, distributed and API testing. It can be self-hosted, and its listed deployment options include both models. Beyond testing, it offers OpenTelemetry support, service maps, tail-based sampling, network visibility and application tracing. Logging capabilities include pipelines, structured parsing, live tailing and archive export, with log retention of 30 days. Profiling covers CPU, memory and threads and offers both profiling modes; kernel profiling is not supported. Supported languages include C/C++, Go, Rust, Zig, Java, .NET, Python, Ruby, PHP, Node.js and Perl. The Free plan costs nothing and is limited to 500 virtual user hours per month. Pro has a $19 a month platform fee, then pay-as-you-go pricing; it lists 500 virtual user hours per month and 8×5 email support. Pro usage lists automatic volume discounts. Enterprise lists one million concurrent virtual users and a $25,000 minimum annual commit. A 14-day trial is listed.

Who it suits

Grafana k6 suits teams testing Linux-based applications or APIs that also want tracing, logging or CPU, memory and thread profiling. Its self-hosted option may suit users who want to run it on their own infrastructure.

What it does well

Supports load, stress, browser-based, distributed and API testing.
Includes OpenTelemetry support and service maps.
Logging includes structured parsing and live tailing.
Profiles CPU, memory and threads.
Supports a broad list of programming languages.

What to know first

Free plan is capped at 500 virtual user hours monthly.
Pro adds a 19.00 USD monthly platform fee plus usage.
Kernel profiling is not supported.
Logs are retained for 30 days.

Limits

The Free plan is limited to 500 virtual user hours per month. Pro also lists 500 virtual user hours per month, with a $19.00 USD monthly platform fee followed by pay-as-you-go pricing.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Limited to 500 virtual user hours per month · 500 virtual user hours per month	Free
Pro	Platform fee of $19 per month; then pay as you go · 500 virtual user hours per month · 8×5 email support	$19 a month
Pro usage	Automatic volume discounts	On request
Pro usage	Automatic volume discounts	On request
Enterprise	1 million concurrent virtual users · $25,000 minimum annual commit	On request
Enterprise	1 million concurrent virtual users · $25,000 minimum annual commit	On request

As grafana.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://grafana.com/oss/k6/.
Choose the Free or Pro plan, or review Enterprise terms.
Use the listed Linux platform and deployment options.
Consider the listed 14-day trial.

Verdict

Grafana k6 combines several kinds of testing with tracing, logging and profiling capabilities. Check the 500-hour monthly Free plan limit and Pro’s platform fee plus pay-as-you-go pricing against expected usage.

Questions

Is Grafana k6 free?

Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and includes up to 500 virtual user hours per month. A 14-day trial is also listed.

How much does Pro cost?

Pro has a $19 a month platform fee, then pay-as-you-go pricing. It lists 500 virtual user hours per month and 8×5 email support.

What does Enterprise cost?

No Enterprise price is listed. The plan specifies one million concurrent virtual users and a $25,000 minimum annual commit.

Which operating system does Grafana k6 support?

Linux is the listed supported operating system.

Can Grafana k6 be self-hosted?

Yes. Self-hosted deployment is listed, and deployment options include both models.

Which profiling features are supported?

CPU, memory, and thread profiling are supported, with both profiling modes listed. Kernel profiling is not supported.

Facts from Grafana k6's own pages

Founded: 2014 · grafana.com, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · grafana.com, 21 Sept 2026
Headquarters: New York, New York, USA · grafana.com, 28 Sept 2026