Side by side
K3s vs Kubeterm
Both stand on local kubernetes tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
Choose K3s when you need a self-hosted Kubernetes distribution for Linux, especially for edge, IoT, embedded, or air-gapped deployments. Look elsewhere if native Windows support is required.
Visit K3s
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
Kubeterm combines Kubernetes resource tools, troubleshooting utilities, and optional AI assistance in a client that runs locally. Note the difference between ungated desktop builds and paid mobile subscriptions.
Visit KubetermThe facts
| K3s | Kubeterm | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | k3s.io | kubeterm.com |
| On local kubernetes tools | #8 of 23 | #12 of 23 |
K3s: what it does well
- Distributed as a single binary or minimal container image.
- SQLite is the default, with etcd, MySQL, and Postgres also available.
- Supports high availability with embedded or external datastores.
- Air-gapped installation options are documented.
- Releases are listed for x86_64, ARMv7, and ARM64.
What to know first
- K3s does not natively support Windows.
- Security benchmark guides assume embedded etcd.
Kubeterm: what it does well
- Connects directly to Kubernetes API without cluster-side installation
- Supports standard resources and CRDs
- Desktop builds have no account or feature gates
- AI permissions default to read-only
- Includes log streaming and pod file browsing
What to know first
- Mobile versions require a paid subscription
- Mobile pricing is listed in app stores