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Head-to-head · Container Networking Software

Antrea vs Calico Enterprise

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Antrea #3 in Container Networking Software 9.0/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Antrea
Calico Enterprise #6 in Container Networking Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Tigera

Antrea leads on 0 checks, Calico Enterprise on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAntrea · 9.0/10

Antrea scores higher on our rubric for container networking software: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Antrea is the better fit for advanced policy and multi-cluster networking. Calico Enterprise is the better fit for enterprise Kubernetes security and networking.

  • Antrea fits best

    Advanced policy and multi-cluster networking

  • Calico Enterprise fits best

    Enterprise Kubernetes security and networking

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Antrea 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Calico Enterprise 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Container Networking Software #6 in Container Networking Software
Best for Advanced policy and multi-cluster networking Enterprise Kubernetes security and networking
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Open source —
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux, Windows Web, Windows, Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Antrea 0/5 · Calico Enterprise 0/5
CNI plugin Not checked yet Not checked yet
Network policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Egress control Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-cluster networking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Encryption in transit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Advanced policy tiers, priorities, and cluster policies
  • Multi-cluster networking with encryption and service support
  • Traceflow, packet inspection, and flow visibility
  • Supports eBPF, iptables, nftables, VPP, and Windows data planes
  • Combines gateways, policies, cluster mesh, and centralized management
  • Adds IDS/IPS, WAF, DDoS protection, observability, and compliance reporting
Cons
  • Requires Kubernetes and Open vSwitch-based pod networking
  • Self-hosted deployment places operations with the adopting team
  • Its feature depth may exceed simpler cluster networking needs
  • Pricing is contact-sales rather than publicly listed
  • There is no free plan or open-source edition
  • Self-managed deployment requires in-house operational responsibility
Our verdict

Antrea is an open-source Kubernetes networking solution for teams managing clusters across public or private clouds and bare-metal infrastructure. It implements the Container Network Interface and Kubernetes NetworkPolicy, using Open…

Read the review →

Calico Enterprise is Tigera’s self-managed platform for Kubernetes networking and security. It is aimed at organizations running Kubernetes across cloud, on-premises, or edge environments that need centralized policy control, network…

Read the review →
  1. AntreaContainer Networking Software 9.0Open source
  2. Calico EnterpriseContainer Networking Software 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Antrea — where it wins

    • Advanced policy tiers, priorities, and cluster policies
    • Multi-cluster networking with encryption and service support
    • Traceflow, packet inspection, and flow visibility

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires Kubernetes and Open vSwitch-based pod networking
    • Self-hosted deployment places operations with the adopting team
    • Its feature depth may exceed simpler cluster networking needs

  • Calico Enterprise — where it wins

    • Supports eBPF, iptables, nftables, VPP, and Windows data planes
    • Combines gateways, policies, cluster mesh, and centralized management
    • Adds IDS/IPS, WAF, DDoS protection, observability, and compliance reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is contact-sales rather than publicly listed
    • There is no free plan or open-source edition
    • Self-managed deployment requires in-house operational responsibility
  • Antrea9.0/10 · Open source

    A strong open-source choice for advanced Kubernetes networking, policy, and visibility.

    Visit AntreaFull verdict →
  • Calico Enterprise8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad Kubernetes networking and security suite for enterprises operating complex clusters.

    Visit TigeraFull verdict →

More comparisons

All container networking software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update