Best K8up Alternatives in 2026
The top K8up alternatives are Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes, Rubrik for Kubernetes and Commvault Kubernetes Data Protection: 15 kubernetes backup software our editors would look at instead of K8up, in our ranking order.
K8up: A flexible, self-managed choice for PVC and application-aware Kubernetes backups. Where it falls short: requires self-managed kubernetes or OpenShift deployment through helm.
Switching from K8up? For most kubernetes backup software buyers the best K8up alternative is Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes, built for broad Kubernetes backup with a free starting tier. On a budget, CloudCasa starts at $69/device/mo.
Why People Look for a K8up Alternative
- Requires self-managed Kubernetes or OpenShift deployment through Helm
- Application-aware backups depend on commands executed inside pods
- Restore workflows center on PVCs or tar.gz output to S3
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallVeeam Kasten for Kubernetes9.4
Broad Kubernetes backup with a free starting tier
Visit Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes - Lowest priceCloudCasa8.4
Paid plans from $69/device/mo
Visit CloudCasa - Best free optionVeeam Kasten for Kubernetes9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes
All 15 K8up Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBroad Kubernetes backup with a free starting tier
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.0
A broad Kubernetes protection platform with a useful free tier and enterprise coverage.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Veeam Kasten -
Best forImmutable Kubernetes backup with security monitoring
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.0
Policy-driven, immutable Kubernetes protection with cross-cluster recovery and threat monitoring.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Rubrik -
Best forHeterogeneous enterprises with Kubernetes workloads
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.0
Broad Kubernetes protection for enterprises managing varied clusters and storage environments.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Commvault -
Best forAWS-native EKS backup and compliance
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.0
A strong AWS-native choice for scheduled EKS backup, retention, and recovery.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Backup -
Best forGKE users seeking low entry pricing
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.0
A focused GKE backup service with low namespace-based entry pricing.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forAzure-native AKS protection
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.0
A focused AKS backup service with flexible recovery and Azure-native controls.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forMulti-cloud teams wanting managed Kubernetes backup
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.0
A broad Kubernetes protection platform for multi-cloud recovery and centralized cluster management.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CloudCasa -
Best forLarge enterprises needing cross-distribution recovery
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.0
A broad Kubernetes protection platform for enterprise, cross-distribution recovery.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Cohesity -
Best forHybrid VM and Kubernetes workload recovery
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.0
A hybrid recovery platform for Kubernetes, virtual machines, and application workloads.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Trilio -
Best forHybrid enterprises needing immutable Kubernetes backup
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.0
A focused choice for immutable, application-consistent Kubernetes protection across hybrid environments.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
Pricing on request · 30-day trial Our Cohesity Kubernetes Backup and Recovery verdict → Visit Cohesity8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cohesity -
Best forNetApp environments needing Kubernetes protection
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.0
A strong fit for NetApp environments needing scheduled, cross-cluster Kubernetes protection.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit NetApp -
Best forFree Alibaba Kubernetes backup with immutability
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A free ACK backup service with cross-cluster recovery and immutable backups.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forHybrid backup teams wanting a free edition
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.0
A broad hybrid backup platform with Kubernetes support and a permanent free edition.
Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Storware Backup & Recovery verdict → Visit Storware7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Storware -
Best forAWS EKS disaster recovery with granular policies
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.0
Granular EKS backup and recovery, with a high starting price.
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit N2WS -
Best forCentralized application backup across clusters
- Better than K8up:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.0
A centralized Kubernetes backup platform for application-aware recovery and migration.
- Immutable backups
- Cross-cluster restore
- Persistent volume backup
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Portworx
K8up Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to K8up?
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes: #1 in our Kubernetes Backup Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad Kubernetes protection platform with a useful free tier and enterprise coverage.
Is there a free alternative to K8up?
Yes. Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes, Alibaba Cloud ACK Backup Center and Storware Backup & Recovery have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to K8up?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, CloudCasa starts lowest, at $69/device/mo.
Why do people look for K8up alternatives?
Requires self-managed Kubernetes or OpenShift deployment through Helm; Application-aware backups depend on commands executed inside pods; Restore workflows center on PVCs or tar.gz output to S3.
How do I switch from K8up?
Export your data from K8up (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel K8up.
How to Switch from K8up
- Export your data from K8up (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel K8up.
K8up vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Application consistency | Persistent volume backup | Cross-cluster restore | Backup frequency | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | K8up | Free | Both | Yes | Scheduled | 7.0 | ||
| 1 | Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes | Yes | 9.4 | |||||
| 2 | Rubrik for Kubernetes | Application-consistent | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | Commvault Kubernetes Data Protection | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 9.0 | |
| 4 | AWS Backup for Amazon EKS | No | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.7 | ||
| 5 | Backup for GKE | No | $0.04/GB/mo | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.6 |
| 6 | Azure Backup for AKS | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.5 | |
| 7 | CloudCasa | No | $69/device/mo | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.4 |
| 8 | NetBackup Kubernetes Data Protection | No | Application-consistent | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.3 | |
| 9 | TrilioVault | 8.2 | ||||||
| 10 | Cohesity Kubernetes Backup and Recovery | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.1 | |
| 11 | NetApp Backup and Recovery | No | Application-consistent | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Alibaba Cloud ACK Backup Center | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Storware Backup & Recovery | Yes | 7.8 | |||||
| 14 | N2WS Backup & Recovery | No | $249/mo | Application-consistent | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 7.7 |
| 15 | Portworx Backup | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Scheduled | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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