Side by side
HAProxy Community Edition vs kube-vip
Both stand on load balancing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2
HAProxy Community Edition brings TCP and HTTP proxying, load balancing, and high availability together in free, self-hosted software. Its Linux focus and self-management model are important considerations; the project also points users to commercial support contracts and professional services.
Visit HAProxy Community Edition
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Choose kube-vip if a Linux Kubernetes cluster needs virtual IPs, control plane high availability, or Layer 4 balancing for LoadBalancer Services. Look elsewhere if you need a managed service or Layer 7 routing.
Visit kube-vipThe facts
| HAProxy Community Edition | kube-vip | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Not published |
| Plans published | 2 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | haproxy.org | kube-vip.io |
| On load balancing software | #1 of 32 | #5 of 32 |
HAProxy Community Edition: what it does well
- Free plan for TCP and HTTP proxying.
- Supports Layer 4 and Layer 7 routing.
- Includes TLS termination.
- Shipped with most mainstream Linux distributions.
- LTS branches are maintained for five years.
What to know first
- Self-hosted rather than a managed service.
- Runs on Linux according to the listed platforms.
- The 3.4 branch is listed as in development.
kube-vip: what it does well
- Free and open source under the Apache-2.0 license.
- Supports IPv4, IPv6, and DNS name VIPs.
- Offers ARP, BGP, routing table, and WireGuard modes.
- Can run as static Pods or a DaemonSet.
- Supports DHCP, UPnP, and address pools for LoadBalancer Services.
What to know first
- Linux and self-hosted platforms are listed.
- It is not a managed service.
- It does not provide Layer 7 routing.
Alternatives to HAProxy Community Edition Alternatives to kube-vip The whole list