kOps review
A CLI-centered toolkit for provisioning, upgrading, and operating cloud Kubernetes clusters.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
kOps is an open-source command-line toolset for teams that provision and operate their own Kubernetes infrastructure. It creates Kubernetes clusters alongside cloud networks and virtual machines, then supports configuration, upgrades, reconfiguration, add-on management, and deletion. Its customer-managed control-plane model makes it a fit for organizations that want direct control over cluster lifecycle operations rather than a hosted Kubernetes control-plane service.
The strongest part of kOps is its state-based operating model. JSON or YAML manifests define cluster configuration, while a state store and state-sync workflow support dry runs and idempotent changes. Teams can manage control-plane and worker instance groups, perform Kubernetes version upgrades and rolling updates, and configure highly available control planes. kOps also generates Terraform configuration, manages Kubernetes add-ons, and supports multiple CNI networking providers, giving infrastructure teams several ways to integrate cluster operations with their existing workflows.
Cloud and ecosystem coverage are broad, but not uniform. Official support covers AWS and Google Cloud Platform, with beta support for DigitalOcean, Hetzner, and OpenStack and alpha support for Azure. The tool runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and includes command-line cluster listing and lifecycle commands. Choose kOps if your team is comfortable with CLI-driven provisioning, state management, and customer-operated infrastructure. Teams seeking a hosted control plane or a management experience centered on a graphical interface should consider an alternative aligned with those needs.
kOps pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Provisions clusters, cloud networks, and virtual machines
- Supports state-based changes, upgrades, rolling updates, and dry runs
- Works across AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, OpenStack, and Azure
- Where it doesn't
- Requires teams to operate their own Kubernetes infrastructure
- Management is centered on command-line lifecycle operations
- Cloud support varies from official to beta and alpha coverage
kOps fact sheet, pricing and score →
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