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Rancher Fleet

C
C tier on GitOps ToolsScore 6.6 · #18 of 32
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
Yes
Runs on
api, self-hosted
fleet.rancher.io
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Summary

Rancher Fleet is an open-source container management and deployment engine that uses GitOps to manage and monitor Kubernetes clusters. It can deploy Kubernetes YAML, Helm charts, Kustomize configurations or combinations of these from Git repositories. Fleet supports a single cluster or multi-cluster deployments managed from a central point, with a central manager for downstream clusters in multi-cluster mode. It runs as a controller on an existing Kubernetes cluster and is distributed as a Helm chart; installation requires Helm 3. For private Git repositories, authentication options include HTTP basic authentication, SSH keys and GitHub Apps. Fleet documents SSH host key entries for GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket and Azure DevOps, and enables strict SSH host key checks by default from version 0.13 onward. Downstream agents initiate connections to the controller, so managed clusters can be behind NATs or in private networks. Fleet is free at 0.00 USD per free. Image scanning is disabled by default and must be enabled during installation.

Who it is for

Fleet suits teams managing Kubernetes deployments from Git repositories, whether for one cluster or multiple clusters. It is for users able to run a controller on an existing Kubernetes cluster and install it with Helm 3.

What is good

  • Manages single-cluster and multi-cluster deployments.
  • Deploys YAML, Helm charts and Kustomize from Git.
  • Supports several private repository authentication methods.
  • Agents can connect from clusters behind NATs or private networks.
  • Open source and free.

What to know first

  • Requires an existing Kubernetes cluster.
  • Installation documentation requires Helm 3.
  • Does not support SSH proxy server authentication for private repositories.
  • Image scanning is disabled by default.

Verdict

Fleet provides GitOps-based deployment and management for Kubernetes clusters, with both single- and multi-cluster modes. Check its installation requirements and SSH proxy limitation, and enable image scanning during installation if you need it.

Rancher Fleet plans and pricing

All plans
Fleet Free Runs on an existing Kubernetes cluster · distributed as a Helm chart fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on GitOps tools

Reconciliation scope
bothfleet.rancher.io
Multi-cluster management
Yesfleet.rancher.io
Progressive delivery
Yesfleet.rancher.io
Supported Git sources
Azure DevOps, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Bitbucket Server, Gogsfleet.rancher.io
Supported deployment targets
Kubernetes clustersfleet.rancher.io

Facts

Purpose
Fleet is a container management and deployment engine that uses GitOps to manage and monitor Kubernetes clusters.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Deployment formats
Fleet can deploy raw Kubernetes YAML, Helm charts, Kustomize, or combinations of them from Git repositories.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Multi-cluster
Fleet can manage a single Kubernetes cluster or large-scale deployments of clusters from a central point.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Install modes
Fleet supports single-cluster and multi-cluster installation modes, with a central manager for downstream clusters in multi-cluster mode.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Requirements
Fleet runs as a controller on an existing Kubernetes cluster and is distributed as a Helm chart; the installation documentation requires Helm 3.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Repository authentication
Private Git repository authentication supports HTTP basic authentication, SSH keys, and GitHub Apps.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Git integrations
Fleet documents SSH host key entries for GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Security
Fleet uses Kubernetes service accounts with restricted permissions for downstream clusters and individual Git repositories.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Network model
Managed cluster agents initiate communication to the Fleet controller, allowing managed clusters to run behind NATs or in private networks.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
SSH security default
Strict SSH host key checks are enabled by default from Fleet v0.13 onward.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
Fleet does not support SSH proxy server authentication when cloning private Git repositories or using private Helm repositories.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Feature default
The image scanning feature is disabled by default and must be enabled during installation to use it.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026
Helm credential handling
Fleet forwards Helm credentials only when helmRepoURLRegex is set and matches the chart repository URL.fleet.rancher.io · 2 Oct 2026

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