
KubeClipper
KubeClipper is an open-source service for managing Kubernetes cluster lifecycles in an organization’s own infrastructure.
What KubeClipper is
KubeClipper is an open-source service for managing Kubernetes cluster lifecycles in an organization’s own infrastructure. It combines a web interface, APIs, and the kcctl command-line tool to deploy clusters on cloud, hypervisor, or bare-metal environments. Teams can create, delete, upgrade, back up, restore, and scale clusters, and register clusters created elsewhere. Deployment options include online, offline, and proxy modes, while a graphical wizard helps with cluster setup and plugins. Node tools include automatic registration, information collection, and a terminal; the current version supports adding and removing worker nodes only. Access controls include role-based permissions, custom roles, and OIDC integration. Backups cover etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, using filesystem or S3 storage, but exclude resource-generated files and persistent-volume files. The project lists x86/64 and arm64 support and describes extensible management for CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components. It is free and open source.
Good
- Free and open source.
- Supports cloud, hypervisor, and bare-metal deployments.
- Provides online, offline, and proxy deployment modes.
- Includes role-based permissions and OIDC integration.
- Backups can use filesystem or S3 storage.
Watch out
- Backups exclude resource-generated and persistent-volume files.
- Current node changes are limited to worker add/remove.
- All-in-One setup recommends at least 2 CPU cores and 2 GB RAM.
Who it suits
KubeClipper suits organizations managing Kubernetes on their own cloud, hypervisor, or bare-metal infrastructure. It may fit teams that want graphical, API, and command-line cluster management.
Verdict
KubeClipper brings cluster deployment and lifecycle management together across several infrastructure types. Check its backup scope and worker-node limitation against your operational needs.
The facts
Each one read from KubeClipper's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access control
- The platform includes four initial roles and supports custom roles with configurable permissions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Architecture support
- The feature page lists x86/64 and arm64 support.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Availability
- The maker’s Chinese homepage labels the download as free.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Backup limit
- Cluster backups cover etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, but not files or data generated by resources or files under persistent volumes.checked 5 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The kcctl command-line tool can deploy and manage KubeClipper clusters and perform most page operations.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Cluster backups
- Cluster backup covers etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, and the guide describes using NFS or MinIO for backup storage.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Cluster import
- It can register and manage externally created clusters.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Cluster setup
- A wizard-style graphical interface helps users deploy clusters and required plugins.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Component management
- The documentation describes extensible management for CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Component support
- The overview says KubeClipper provides scalable management services for CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Container registry
- Docker and Containerd use Docker Hub by default, and the guide explains configuring private registries, including self-signed HTTPS or HTTP registries.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment environments
- It can deploy Kubernetes clusters on cloud, hypervisor, and bare-metal infrastructure.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment modes
- KubeClipper supports online, proxy, and offline deployment methods.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment targets
- It can deploy Kubernetes clusters on cloud, hypervisors, or bare metal.checked 5 Oct 2026
- External identity
- External users can log in through OIDC, with OAuth2 login described in the access-control guide.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Getting started
- The documented All-in-One setup recommends a host with at least 2 CPU cores and 2 GB RAM and lists CentOS 7.x, Ubuntu 18.04, or Ubuntu 20.04.checked 5 Oct 2026
- High availability
- The HA deployment guide recommends at least three server nodes for availability and etcd quorum.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The overview describes KubeClipper as a tool intended to help operations engineers manage multiple Kubernetes clusters across regions and infrastructure.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Lifecycle features
- Cluster operations include creation, deletion, backup, restoration, upgrades, scaling, and node management.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Lifecycle management
- Its listed lifecycle capabilities include installation, deletion, upgrades, backup and restoration, scaling, and remote access.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Node tools
- Node management includes automatic registration, information collection, and a node terminal.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The cluster-management guide says the current version supports adding and removing worker nodes only.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- KubeClipper is a lightweight web service for Kubernetes cluster lifecycle management, with a web console, APIs, and a CLI tool.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Roadmap integrations
- The roadmap lists load balancing and ingress, monitoring, Kubernetes Dashboard, and KubeEdge under common application and plugin integrations.checked 5 Oct 2026
Alternatives to KubeClipper
- 1

Portainer
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.6Free plan - 2

KubeSphere
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.1From $65 a month - 3

Omni
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.7From $25 a month - 4

vCluster Platform
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.7Free plan - 5

Kubermatic Kubernetes Platform
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS6.8Free plan - 6
Rancher
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.5Free plan
