kube-monkey
kube-monkey: A focused, free tool for scheduled Kubernetes pod-disruption experiments. Ranked #22 of 25 in Chaos Engineering Platforms by our editors (7.0/10); pricing: Open source; best for basic scheduled Kubernetes pod disruption.
At a glance
- Editor score7.0 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forBasic scheduled Kubernetes pod disruption
- Paid fromFree
- Kubernetes supportYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open-source under the Apache License 2.0
- Supports labels, namespaces, dry runs, and multiple kill modes
- Includes Slack webhook and custom API notifications
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires a Kubernetes cluster
- Injects pod-deletion faults rather than cloud or network failures
- Focused mainly on scheduled workload recovery experiments
Our verdict on kube-monkey
kube-monkey is an open-source chaos engineering tool for Kubernetes clusters. It randomly deletes opted-in Kubernetes pods to examine how workloads recover from disruption. Teams testing Kubernetes workload resilience can configure weekday experiment windows, mean time between failures, target namespaces, pod kill modes, dry-run behavior, and notifications. Its purpose is deliberately narrow: pod termination rather than a broad library of infrastructure or application faults.
Deployment runs inside a Kubernetes cluster and can be handled manually or through Helm. The self-hosted model suits teams that want source-available software they can operate within their own Kubernetes environment. Targeting controls include Kubernetes labels, namespace blacklists and whitelists, and fixed, percentage-based, random, or all-pod kill modes. These controls help teams limit experiments and preview behavior before enabling pod deletion. Slack webhook and custom API notifications extend the basic workflow without changing its Kubernetes-centered scope.
The project is a practical choice for scheduled pod-disruption exercises, especially when cost and source access matter. It should suit teams that already operate Kubernetes and want configurable workload-recovery experiments with straightforward notification options. Teams seeking cloud failure injection, network failure injection, or a wider chaos-testing platform should choose an alternative with those capabilities. kube-monkey’s value comes from its focused implementation: it addresses Kubernetes pod resilience without presenting itself as a general-purpose failure-injection system.
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kube-monkey pricing
kube-monkey fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Kubernetes support | Yes |
| Cloud fault injection | No |
| Network fault injection | No |
| Experiment scheduling | Yes |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Blast-radius controls | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Community |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: Slack webhook, Custom API |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
kube-monkey integrations
kube-monkey lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- Slack webhook
- Custom API
Alternatives to kube-monkey
- Chaos ToolkitBroad, low-cost multi-cloud chaos testing with declarative experiments and safeguards.9.3
- Chaos MeshA broad, self-hosted toolkit for controlled Kubernetes fault injection.9.1
- Harness Chaos EngineeringA free hybrid-cloud option with strong experiment controls and broad infrastructure coverage.9.0
See all kube-monkey alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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