Side by side
KubeSphere vs Portainer
Both stand on kubernetes management platforms. 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 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 KubeSphere
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
| KubeSphere | Portainer | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | KubeSphere Backup Basic: $65 a month | See the plans |
| Plans published | 7 | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | kubesphere.io | portainer.io |
| On kubernetes management platforms | #1 of 29 | #2 of 29 |
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
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 KubeSphere Alternatives to Portainer The whole list