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Caretta

Free#24 of 29 in eBPF Observability Tools

Caretta: A focused, self-hosted way to visualize Kubernetes service interactions in Grafana. Ranked #24 of 29 in eBPF Observability Tools by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for simple Kubernetes service maps.

6.8/10Editor score

Visit Caretta

Caretta6.8 Visit Caretta

At a glance

Editor score
6.8 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Simple Kubernetes service maps
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Deployment model
Self-hosted
Founded
2021 · Tel Aviv, Israel and California, United States
Facts checked
22 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Maps Kubernetes service interactions with eBPF
- Helm installation with Grafana and optional VictoriaMetrics components
- Prometheus-compatible throughput metrics and configurable polling
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires Linux infrastructure
- Requires Linux kernel 4.16 or newer with CO-RE support
- Narrower scope than full observability platforms

Our verdict on Caretta

Caretta is a lightweight, open-source Kubernetes tool for teams that need visibility into service-to-service network interactions without deploying a service mesh or adding application instrumentation. It uses eBPF to create a visual dependency graph, resolves Kubernetes entities and owners, and presents the result through a Grafana Node Graph dashboard. Caretta runs on Linux, is deployed with Helm, and is designed for self-hosted environments.

Its strongest fit is straightforward Kubernetes network mapping. The tool exposes network throughput metrics that work with Prometheus-compatible queries and supports a configurable polling interval, giving teams a focused view of service relationships and traffic. Grafana, Prometheus-compatible dashboards, VictoriaMetrics, and Helm provide a practical ecosystem around the core mapper. Optional persistent metric storage can extend visibility beyond an in-memory or short-lived view, while the published configuration supports adding VictoriaMetrics and Grafana components during installation.

Caretta suits teams that want an open-source service map with a relatively narrow operational purpose. It can show Kubernetes dependencies and network activity without requiring a service mesh or application instrumentation, but it is not positioned as a complete observability platform. The self-hosted deployment model also means teams need Linux infrastructure with a kernel version of 4.16 or newer and CO-RE support. Choose Caretta for focused Kubernetes service mapping, throughput metrics, and Grafana visualization; choose a broader observability platform when application, infrastructure, tracing, or wider operational coverage is required.

Your product? Our editors can test Caretta in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Caretta pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

Caretta fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Deployment model	Self-hosted
Kubernetes support	Yes
Network visibility	Yes
Application tracing	Not verified
Kernel profiling	Not verified
Supported operating systems	Linux kernel >= 4.16 with CO-RE support
Deployment	Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux
Support	Community
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations	4 integrations: Grafana, VictoriaMetrics, Prometheus-compatible dashboards, Helm
Pricing	Free plan
Website	github.com
Facts checked	22 Sep 2026

Caretta integrations

Caretta lists 4 integrations on its own site.

Grafana
VictoriaMetrics
Prometheus-compatible dashboards
Helm

Alternatives to Caretta

See all Caretta alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Caretta is listed in our eBPF Observability Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update