Side by side
Headlamp vs KubeSphere
Both stand on container management 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 APIExtensionLinux+4
Headlamp offers a no-charge graphical interface with multi-cluster management and plugin extensibility. Users should account for its plugin security guidance and browser token handling when selecting an installation approach.
Visit Headlamp
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
KubeSphere pairs a free self-managed Community Edition with an Enterprise offering that adds security, permissions, and support options. Teams should compare the editions and contact sales for Enterprise pricing.
Visit KubeSphereThe facts
| Headlamp | KubeSphere | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | KubeSphere Backup Basic: $65 a month |
| Plans published | 2 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | headlamp.dev | kubesphere.io |
| On container management software | #1 of 28 | #2 of 28 |
Headlamp: what it does well
- Available as web and desktop applications
- Supports monitoring and switching between clusters
- Controls adapt to Kubernetes RBAC permissions
- Free under Apache 2.0
- Desktop app tested on Windows, macOS, and Linux
What to know first
- Plugins run in the main application’s JavaScript context
- Browser local storage may retain a user token
KubeSphere: what it does well
- Community Edition is free forever and self-managed
- Supports multi-tenancy and multi-cluster management
- Includes Jenkins-based CI/CD workflows
- Supports online or offline installation
What to know first
- Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
- Enterprise extensions are available by subscription
- Community Edition is self-managed
Alternatives to Headlamp Alternatives to KubeSphere The whole list