Cluster API
6.4#7 in kubernetes management platformsFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitCluster API vs vCluster Platform
vCluster Platform
7.7#1 in local kubernetes toolsFree planFree planWebAPILinuxmacOS
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Cluster API | vCluster Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | The quick start lists infrastructure providers including AWS, Azure, GCP, OpenStack, vSphere, and KubeVirt, among others. | The pricing feature list names Cluster API, Terraform, Rancher, Prometheus ServiceMonitor, Metrics Server, Argo CD, Vault, cert-manager, External Secrets Operator, KubeVirt and Istio integrations. |
| Purpose | Cluster API provides declarative APIs and tooling to provision, upgrade, and operate multiple Kubernetes clusters. | vCluster Platform provides a management plane for deploying, configuring, and operating tenant cluster fleets through a web UI, CLI, and API. |
| Security | The project’s user security guidance recommends auditing management and workload clusters, nodes, and cloud-provider activity, and using least-privilege credentials. | Enterprise features include SSO, audit logging, zero-day vulnerability alerts, security review, and FIPS-compliant images. |
Cluster API plans
- Cluster APIFree
vCluster Platform plans
- FreeFree
- Open SourceFree
- EnterprisePriced on request
Pick Cluster API if…
Cluster API is for platform operators who need declarative tools to manage the lifecycle of multiple Kubernetes clusters. It suits teams prepared to operate a management cluster and work with the provider ecosystem.
Pick vCluster Platform if…
vCluster Platform suits cloud and infrastructure teams managing tenant cluster fleets across supported environments. Teams considering shared-node tenancy should account for the listed shared components.