Mirantis Kubernetes Engine
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine 4 (MKE 4) is a self-hosted enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution.
What Mirantis Kubernetes Engine is
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine 4 (MKE 4) is a self-hosted enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution. It supports deployments across public and private clouds, multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, and bare metal. Teams manage cluster lifecycle with the mkectl command-line tool and a declarative mke4.yaml file; standardized APIs and GitOps-based lifecycle management are also available. A cluster combines k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services. Calico is installed by default, with other network interface options supported. MKE 4 includes a web dashboard for Kubernetes resources and supports backup and restore; its CLI upgrade process includes automated backups. Authentication through Dex supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP, but not MFA. Mirantis describes it as secure by default and says its default components are FIPS-validated. A valid license is required, with a trial license available on request. Requirements include x86_64 architecture and supported Linux on manager nodes; Windows Server 2022 is supported for worker nodes. MKE 4.2.0 and later requires cgroups v2 on all nodes, and upgrades to those releases must come from MKE 3.9.x. Mirantis offers 24/7 proactive support or managed services.
Good
- Supports cloud, hybrid, multi-cloud, and bare-metal deployment.
- Cluster lifecycle managed declaratively with mkectl.
- Includes a web dashboard and backup support.
- Supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP.
- Trial license available on request.
Watch out
- A valid license is required for use.
- MFA is unsupported.
- Requires x86_64 architecture.
- MKE 4.2.0 and later requires cgroups v2.
Who it suits
MKE 4 suits organizations seeking a self-hosted Kubernetes platform across cloud and bare-metal environments. Teams should be prepared to meet its licensing, architecture, operating-system, and upgrade requirements.
Verdict
MKE 4 offers several deployment models, declarative management, and built-in cluster tools. Confirm the license and technical requirements, especially authentication and upgrade constraints, before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Mirantis Kubernetes Engine's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MKE 4 subscription | Priced on request | Valid license required · subscription-only service; free trial license available on request |
The facts
Each one read from Mirantis Kubernetes Engine's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Architecture
- An MKE 4 cluster includes k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Architecture requirement
- MKE 4 requires x86_64 architecture, and manager/control-plane nodes must use a supported Linux distribution.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- MKE 4 supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP authentication through Dex; MFA is listed as unsupported.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Authentication limit
- MKE 4 authentication does not support multi-factor authentication (MFA).checked 7 Oct 2026
- Automation
- MKE 4 provides standardized API interfaces and GitOps-based lifecycle management.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Backup and upgrades
- MKE 4 supports backup and restore, and its CLI upgrade process includes automated backups.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dashboard
- MKE 4 includes a web-based dashboard for managing Kubernetes resources in an MKE-managed cluster.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- MKE 4 supports deployment across public, private, multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, and bare-metal environments.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment environments
- MKE 4 supports deploying applications to public, private, multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, or bare-metal environments.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- MKE 4 requires a valid license for lawful use.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Management
- The mkectl command-line tool manages the cluster lifecycle using a declarative mke4.yaml configuration file.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Networking
- MKE 4 installs with Calico by default and supports other container network interface options.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- MKE 4 supports Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04, RHEL 9.6 and 8.10, Rocky Linux 9.4, and Windows Server 2022 worker nodes on x86_64; manager nodes must run Linux.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MKE 4 is an enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- Mirantis describes MKE 4 as secure by default and says its default components are FIPS-validated.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Mirantis offers a choice of 24/7 proactive support or managed services for MKE 4.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Upgrade limit
- MKE 4.2.0 and later requires cgroups v2 on all nodes, and upgrades to those versions must come from MKE 3.9.x.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Company headquarters
- Mirantis lists its address as 900 E Hamilton Avenue, Suite 650, Campbell, California 95008.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Campbell, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Composable platform
- MKE 4 lets users assemble platforms from CNCF open-source components and manage them declaratively.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Mirantis Kubernetes Engine
- 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