Side by side
Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring vs Portainer
Both stand on container monitoring. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb
Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring combines fleet visibility, alerts, and cost estimates in a cloud-only service. Check the setup requirements and separate telemetry charges when planning its use.
Visit Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+3
Portainer brings container and multi-cluster management into a graphical interface, with Git deployment workflows and governance controls. Its free tier covers up to three nodes, while paid plans have stated node or use limits.
Visit PortainerThe facts
| Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring | Portainer | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Home & Student: $155 a year |
| Plans published | 3 | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | grafana.com | portainer.io |
| On container monitoring | #19 of 51 | #4 of 51 |
Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring: what it does well
- Free plan includes monthly host and container hours.
- Views cost allocations across clusters and workloads.
- Collects Kubernetes metrics, events, and Pod logs.
- Supports several Kubernetes platforms, including EKS and AKS.
What to know first
- Available only in Grafana Cloud.
- Supports only data sources hosted in Grafana Cloud.
- Telemetry from other products is billed separately.
Portainer: what it does well
- Supports Kubernetes, Docker, Docker Swarm, Podman, and Azure ACI.
- Centralizes governance across Kubernetes clusters.
- Git workflows include promotion and rollback.
- Free Business Edition tier covers up to three nodes.
- Business Edition lists RBAC, LDAP, OAuth, and SSO features.
What to know first
- Starter and Scale subscriptions have fixed node counts during their term.
- Home & Student is limited to non-commercial personal use.
- Starter costs $1,045 a year.
Alternatives to Grafana Cloud Kubernetes Monitoring Alternatives to Portainer The whole list