Hybridnet review
A focused, free CNI for Kubernetes clusters that need overlay-underlay coexistence.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Hybridnet is an open-source container networking solution for Kubernetes clusters that need overlay and underlay networks to coexist. It is aimed at hybrid-cloud environments and teams managing mixed network fabrics, with support for connectivity between overlay and underlay containers. Kubernetes custom resources and policy routing provide the foundation for topology management, while the CNI plugin supports IPv4/IPv6 dual stack, network policies, and several underlay and overlay options.
Its main strength is networking depth within that focused use case. VXLAN handles overlay networking, while VLAN and BGP support underlay designs. Topology-aware IP address management and stateful workload IP retention add control for deployments where placement and stable addressing matter. Hybridnet can also work alongside kube-proxy and Cilium. The published platform coverage includes Kubernetes, Linux, ACK Distro, AECP, and SOFAStack, making it a fit for teams already operating within those environments.
Hybridnet is free and open source, so its cost model suits teams that want a CNI without paid plan tiers. The trade-off is a narrower verified ecosystem than broader container networking products, with integrations centered on kube-proxy and Cilium. The project's multicluster wiki describes multicluster networking as unfinished, so teams making that capability central should choose a more mature alternative. Pick Hybridnet when mixed overlay-underlay networking, dual stack, and topology-aware IP management are priorities; look elsewhere when broad integrations or finished multicluster networking matter more.
Hybridnet pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines VXLAN, VLAN, and BGP networking in one Kubernetes cluster
- Supports IPv4/IPv6 dual stack and connectivity across network types
- Topology-aware IPAM and stateful workload IP retention support
- Where it doesn't
- Verified integrations center on kube-proxy and Cilium
- Platform support is focused on Kubernetes and Linux environments
- The project's multicluster feature is described as unfinished
Hybridnet fact sheet, pricing and score →
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