Cilium
Cilium: A focused open-source choice for eBPF-based Kubernetes networking and security. Ranked #11 of 24 in Software-Defined Networking Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Open source; best for eBPF-based Kubernetes networking.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best foreBPF-based Kubernetes networking
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelHybrid
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- eBPF datapath management for cloud-native networking
- Layer 3–Layer 7 and identity-aware security policies
- Hubble observability with BGP and API support
Where it doesn't
- Platform scope centers on Linux container environments
- Kubernetes and Docker focus limits broader deployment use
- Hybrid architecture may require careful control-plane planning
Our verdict on Cilium
Cilium is open-source networking and security software for application services running on Linux container platforms such as Kubernetes and Docker. It uses eBPF in the Linux kernel for networking, load balancing, observability, and identity-aware security policies. The product is aimed at teams operating Kubernetes clusters across managed cloud services or self-managed environments, especially those seeking networking and security controls within a cloud-native stack.
Its standout capability is the combination of eBPF-based datapath management with policy coverage from Layer 3 through Layer 7. Administrators can define identity-aware, DNS-based, and CIDR-based rules, while support for TCP, UDP, ICMP, ICMPv6, HTTP, DNS, and gRPC covers the protocols listed for the platform. Hubble adds network and security observability, and BGP control-plane support extends the networking feature set. REST and gRPC APIs provide northbound access for integrations and automation.
Cilium fits naturally with Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, Prometheus, Grafana, and Hubble. Its open-source model and hybrid deployment and control-plane classifications suit organizations that want to manage the software in their own Linux-based container environments rather than select a conventional hosted networking product. The trade-off is a focused platform scope: teams working outside Linux container platforms, or those seeking a broader set of deployment targets, should consider alternatives. Choose Cilium when Kubernetes networking, eBPF, policy segmentation, and observability are central requirements; look elsewhere when those capabilities are not part of the operating model.
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Cilium pricing
Cilium fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Hybrid |
| Control-plane model | Hybrid |
| Policy segmentation | Yes |
| Northbound API | Yes |
| Supported protocols | TCP, UDP, ICMP, ICMPv6, HTTP, DNS, gRPC |
| Managed device limit | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, Prometheus, Grafana, Hubble |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | cilium.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Cilium integrations
Cilium lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- Helm
- Prometheus
- Grafana
- Hubble
Alternatives to Cilium
- VMware NSXA broad hybrid-cloud networking and security platform with contact-sales pricing.9.3
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric ControllerA focused controller for provisioning, automating, and governing VXLAN EVPN fabrics.9.1
- Cisco Catalyst CenterA broad Cisco network-operations platform for discovery, automation, compliance, and assurance.9.0
Also Ranked In
Cilium is ranked in 5 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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