k3d vs Rancher Desktop
| k3d | Rancher Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | Free | Free |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows | api, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows | |
| Local Kubernetes | Yes | |
| Cluster mode | both | |
| IDE integration | Yes | |
| Resource controls | Yes | |
| Supported operating systems | macOS, Windows, Linux | |
| Multi-node clusters | No | |
| Graphical interface | Yes | |
| Container runtime options | containerd or dockerd (Moby) | |
| Kubernetes version control | Selectable from a list in Preferences > Kubernetes | |
| Local registry support | Yes | |
| Add-on catalog | Yes |
Listed together in Best Container Development EnvironmentsBest Local Kubernetes Tools