Hubble
Hubble: A free, open-source choice for Kubernetes network-flow visibility, not conventional tracing. Ranked #31 of 32 in Distributed Tracing Tools by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for kubernetes network-flow observability.
At a glance
- Editor score6.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forKubernetes network-flow observability
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- OpenTelemetry supportYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Automatic service discovery and service-map visualization
- Multi-node and multi-cluster visibility through Hubble Relay
- Visibility into HTTP, DNS, TCP, Kafka, and policy verdicts
Where it doesn't
- Primarily network-flow observability rather than conventional distributed tracing
- Deployed alongside Cilium in Kubernetes clusters
- The OpenTelemetry adaptor is archived and experimental
Our verdict on Hubble
Hubble is an open-source observability platform for Kubernetes workloads, built on Cilium and eBPF. It is designed for platform, networking, security, and DevOps teams that need visibility into network flows, service dependencies, HTTP and DNS activity, policy verdicts, and application-level latency. Its interfaces include the Hubble CLI, APIs, Hubble Relay, and a web UI with service-map visualization. Hubble is available as self-hosted software across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and API environments.
The product’s strongest fit is Kubernetes-centric network and service visibility. Hubble can automatically discover service dependencies, display service maps, and extend visibility across nodes and clusters through Hubble Relay. Its protocol coverage includes HTTP, DNS, TCP, and Kafka, while Prometheus-compatible metrics export supports monitoring workflows with Prometheus and Grafana. TLS and mutual-TLS support are available for Hubble services, and gRPC observer and peer APIs provide additional integration points. These capabilities make it useful for tracing network behavior and understanding Kubernetes traffic paths without narrowing the tool to application spans.
Hubble should be considered a network and security observability layer rather than a conventional distributed-tracing backend. It includes an OpenTelemetry adaptor, but the adaptor repository is archived and described as experimental, so teams choosing it primarily for OpenTelemetry tracing should evaluate that limitation carefully. Hubble is a strong choice for organizations already operating Cilium and Kubernetes that want service maps, protocol inspection, multi-cluster visibility, and policy-verdict context. Teams seeking a general-purpose application tracing platform may be better served by a tool focused primarily on distributed traces.
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Hubble pricing
Hubble fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| OpenTelemetry support | Yes |
| Service map | Yes |
| Tail-based sampling | Not verified |
| Trace retention | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Pricing basis | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Kubernetes, Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | cilium.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Hubble integrations
Hubble lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Kubernetes
- Prometheus
- Grafana
- OpenTelemetry
Alternatives to Hubble
- Apache SkyWalkingA broad self-hosted stack that connects traces, topology, metrics, logs, profiles, and alerts.9.4
- JaegerA flexible self-hosted tracer for teams that need control over sampling and storage.9.2
- SigNozFull-stack tracing and observability with a free edition and $49 monthly Teams tier.9.1
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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