Multus CNI

At a glance

• Editor score
  7.3 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Pods needing multiple network interfaces
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Attaches multiple network interfaces to Kubernetes pods
  • Works with Flannel, Weave, Calico, Cilium, and OVN-Kubernetes
  • Supports thin and thick deployment modes

• Where it doesn't

  • Requires a default Kubernetes network plugin
  • Native network policies and egress controls are not documented
  • Designed for Kubernetes on Linux nodes and self-hosted clusters

Our verdict on Multus CNI

Multus CNI is a free, open-source CNI meta-plugin for Kubernetes environments that need multi-homed pods, secondary network attachments, or specialized networking combinations. It invokes other CNI plugins to attach multiple network interfaces, while NetworkAttachmentDefinition custom resources and pod annotations define additional networks. Multus supports Kubernetes on Linux nodes and self-hosted clusters, making it a focused option for teams managing their own Kubernetes networking rather than a general-purpose container networking service.

Its main strength is integration breadth. Multus can coordinate with Flannel, Weave, Calico, Cilium, OVN-Kubernetes, DHCP, and Macvlan, and it supports default network configuration through delegates or clusterNetwork. Deployment options include Kubernetes DaemonSets, binaries, containers, and source builds. Teams can choose a thin plugin or a thick deployment; the latter includes multus-daemon and multus-shim components. This flexibility suits clusters that need to combine a default network with additional interfaces or specialized network attachments.

Multus is deliberately a coordination layer, so its scope has clear boundaries. Network policies, egress controls, encryption, and multi-cluster routing are not documented as native Multus features and may depend on the delegated CNI plugins. It also requires a default Kubernetes network plugin, adding an architectural dependency to deployment planning. Choose Multus when multiple pod interfaces and CNI coordination are the priority. Consider another approach when native policy, egress, encryption, or multi-cluster routing capabilities are the central requirement.

Your product? Our editors can test Multus CNI in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Multus CNI pricing

Multus CNI fact sheet

Multus CNI integrations

Multus CNI lists 7 integrations on its own site.

• Flannel
• Weave
• Calico
• Cilium
• OVN-Kubernetes
• DHCP
• Macvlan

Alternatives to Multus CNI

• CiliumA broad open-source networking and observability layer for Kubernetes environments.9.4
• Calico Open SourceA free, broad Kubernetes networking stack with policy, encryption, and multi-cluster support.9.2
• AntreaA strong open-source choice for advanced Kubernetes networking, policy, and visibility.9.0

See all Multus CNI alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Multus CNI is listed in our Container Networking Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/multus-cni/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/multus-cni.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update