6smarketersSoftware
List your software
Home/Developer & IT/Container & Kubernetes Mgmt/Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)

Container & Kubernetes Mgmt

Visit websiteCompare
★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 on G2 · 4.6 on Capterra (300 G2 reviews)
4.6 / 5
G2 rating, 300 reviews [source]
Google
Kubernetes creators [source]
Autopilot
Hands off mode [source]
~$0.10/hr
Per cluster + compute [source]

Quick facts

CategoryManaged Kubernetes
VendorGoogle Cloud
Starts at~$0.10/hr per cluster + compute
Best forManaged Kubernetes on Google Cloud
DeploymentGoogle Cloud
Free planFree tier (one zonal cluster)
IntegrationsGoogle Cloud services, cloud native
G2 rating4.6 / 5
Capterra rating4.6 / 5
ModesStandard and Autopilot

What is Google Kubernetes Engine?

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is Google's managed Kubernetes, from the creators of Kubernetes, with strong automation and Autopilot mode. Google created Kubernetes, and GKE is its managed service on Google Cloud, running the control plane for you with strong automation for scaling, upgrades and operations, in Standard mode (you manage nodes) or Autopilot mode (Google manages nodes too, you pay per pod). Integrated with Google Cloud services and the cloud native ecosystem, and known for being advanced and automated, GKE is the leading managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud and a favourite of cloud native teams. For managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud, GKE is a leading choice.

GKE's distinction is being the most advanced managed Kubernetes, from Kubernetes' creators, with Autopilot. Google's deep Kubernetes expertise shows in GKE's automation, upgrades and features, and Autopilot mode removes node management entirely, so teams run workloads with minimal operational burden. That automation, Kubernetes pedigree and Autopilot set it apart among managed Kubernetes services.

GKE at a glanceGoogle Kubernetes Engine is Google's managed Kubernetes with strong automation and Autopilot [Google Cloud]. It holds about a 4.6 out of 5 rating across 300 reviews on G2 and 4.6 on Capterra, the leading managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud.

Who Google Kubernetes Engine is best for

GKE is best for teams running on Google Cloud that want advanced, automated managed Kubernetes, including those wanting hands off operations via Autopilot, and cloud native and data and AI workloads. It suits Google Cloud and cloud native teams. It is a weaker fit for teams on AWS or Azure (where EKS or AKS fit), those wanting a complete portable enterprise platform, where OpenShift fits, or multi cloud multi cluster management, where Rancher fits.

Key features

The core strengths are a managed Kubernetes control plane with strong automation for scaling, upgrades and repair, Autopilot mode (fully managed nodes, per pod pricing), and integration with Google Cloud services and the cloud native ecosystem. GKE offers advanced networking, security, and GPU support for AI. Its automation, Kubernetes pedigree, and Autopilot are its defining advantages.

Google Kubernetes Engine pricing

GKE charges a cluster management fee of around 0.10 US dollars per hour per cluster (with a free tier covering one zonal or Autopilot cluster's fee), plus the compute you use, nodes in Standard mode or per pod resources in Autopilot. So you pay the control plane fee plus compute. Autopilot simplifies cost to the pods you run. Model cluster fees and compute. Confirm current figures on the GKE pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

GKE integrates with Google Cloud services (networking, storage, IAM, BigQuery, Vertex AI), the cloud native ecosystem, and tools like Anthos for multi cluster and hybrid, with strong GPU support for AI. Its Google Cloud and cloud native integrations, which let teams build complete cloud native and AI platforms on Google Cloud, support its appeal, especially for data and AI workloads.

GKE and automation

Automation and Autopilot are the signature strength: GKE automates scaling, upgrades and repair, and Autopilot mode manages the nodes entirely so teams just deploy workloads and pay per pod, reflecting Google's deep Kubernetes expertise. For teams that want advanced, low operations managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud, this automation is the main reason to choose GKE.

Ease of use and support

GKE is highly rated for automation, reliability and being advanced managed Kubernetes, among the top in the category, with Autopilot praised for reducing operations. Its G2 reviews highlight automation, Autopilot and Google Cloud integration, with being tied to Google Cloud the main consideration for multi cloud teams.

Is Google Kubernetes Engine worth it?

For teams on Google Cloud that want advanced, automated managed Kubernetes, with hands off Autopilot and strong cloud native and AI integration, GKE is a leading, highly rated choice. The main caution is that it ties you to Google Cloud, so teams on AWS or Azure should use EKS or AKS, those wanting a portable enterprise platform OpenShift, and multi cloud management Rancher, but for managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud GKE leads.

Pricing

Free tier

$0
one cluster fee
  • One zonal/Autopilot cluster free
  • Pay compute
  • Try GKE

Standard

~$0.10/hr
per cluster + nodes
  • You manage nodes
  • Full control
  • Automation

Autopilot

Per pod
+ cluster fee
  • Google manages nodes
  • Pay per pod
  • Hands off

Pros and cons

Pros

  • From the creators of Kubernetes
  • Strong automation and upgrades
  • Autopilot for hands off operations
  • Deep Google Cloud and AI integration
  • Highly rated and reliable

Cons

  • Tied to Google Cloud
  • Cluster fee plus compute cost
  • Autopilot limits some control
  • Not for multi cloud portability

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) alternatives

These container & kubernetes mgmt tools come up most often against Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).

Red Hat OpenShift

Enterprise Kubernetes platform with developer tooling

Rancher (SUSE)

Multi-cluster Kubernetes management, open source

VMware Tanzu

Enterprise Kubernetes runtime and application platform

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) FAQ

What is Google Kubernetes Engine used for?
GKE is used to run containerised applications on managed Kubernetes on Google Cloud: Google runs the control plane with strong automation, and you deploy workloads in Standard mode (managing nodes) or Autopilot mode (Google manages nodes, pay per pod).
How much does GKE cost?
GKE charges around 0.10 US dollars per hour per cluster for management (with a free tier for one cluster's fee), plus compute, nodes in Standard mode or per pod in Autopilot. See the GKE pricing page.
What is GKE Autopilot?
Autopilot is a GKE mode where Google manages the nodes as well as the control plane, so teams just deploy workloads and pay for the pod resources they use, removing node operations for a more hands off managed Kubernetes experience.
GKE vs EKS, which is better?
GKE (from Kubernetes' creators) leads on automation and Autopilot on Google Cloud, while Amazon EKS integrates with AWS. Choose GKE if you run on Google Cloud and EKS if you run on AWS; both are strong managed Kubernetes.
Is GKE good for AI workloads?
Yes. GKE offers strong GPU support and integrates with Google Cloud's data and AI services like Vertex AI and BigQuery, making it a capable platform for AI and machine learning workloads on Kubernetes.
Did Google create Kubernetes?
Yes. Google created Kubernetes, based on its internal Borg system, and open sourced it, and GKE is Google's managed Kubernetes service, which is why it is known for advanced automation and Kubernetes expertise.

External links