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OVN-Kubernetes

Free#4 of 27 in Container Networking SoftwareMicrosegmentation Software

OVN-Kubernetes: A feature-rich, free CNI for Kubernetes clusters spanning Linux and Windows. Ranked #4 of 27 in Container Networking Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for feature-rich Linux and Windows clusters.

8.8/10Editor score
Visit OVN-Kubernetes
OVN-Kubernetes8.8 Visit OVN-Kubernetes

At a glance

  • Editor score
    8.8 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Feature-rich Linux and Windows clusters
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Network policies
    Yes
  • Founded
    2014
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
OVN-Kubernetes screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Free, open-source CNI with Kubernetes-conformant networking
    • Policy, egress, multihoming, dual-stack, and IPsec support
    • Supports hybrid Linux and Windows Kubernetes clusters

  • Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Kubernetes cluster networking rather than general-purpose networking
    • OVN and Open vSwitch form a specialized networking foundation
    • The broad feature set may exceed simple cluster requirements

Our verdict on OVN-Kubernetes

OVN-Kubernetes is an open-source Kubernetes Container Network Interface plugin for cluster administrators managing pod and service traffic. Built on Open Virtual Network and Open vSwitch, it provides overlay networking, policy enforcement, egress controls, secondary networks, and IPv4, IPv6, and dual-stack support. Its platform coverage includes Linux and Windows, making it a fit for teams operating hybrid Kubernetes clusters, including environments on bare metal, VMware vSphere, IBM Power, IBM Z, and Red Hat OpenStack Platform.

Its strongest advantage is the breadth of networking controls available without a paid plan. Kubernetes NetworkPolicy and AdminNetworkPolicy enforcement cover policy needs, while Namespace-level EgressFirewall controls, Egress IP, EgressService, and EgressQoS address outbound traffic management. Secondary networks and pod multihoming extend the design beyond a single interface, and IPsec encryption supports intracluster communications. These capabilities make OVN-Kubernetes a strong choice for administrators who need more than basic pod connectivity.

The trade-off is focus and scope. OVN-Kubernetes is designed around Kubernetes clusters and a specialized OVN and Open vSwitch networking foundation, so it is less suited to teams seeking a general-purpose networking product outside that environment. Its wide set of policy, egress, multihoming, encryption, and cross-platform features may also be more than a simple cluster requires. Choose it when Kubernetes networking depth, Linux-Windows support, and open-source deployment matter; consider a narrower option when basic cluster connectivity is the main requirement.

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

OVN-Kubernetes pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on ovn-kubernetes.io

OVN-Kubernetes fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromFree
CNI pluginYes
Network policiesYes
Egress controlYes
Multi-cluster networkingNot verified
Encryption in transitYes
Supported platformsKubernetes, Linux, Windows, bare metal, VMware vSphere, IBM Power, IBM Z, and Red Hat OpenStack Platform
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux, Windows
SupportDocs, Community
Built forMid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websiteovn-kubernetes.io
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

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OVN-Kubernetes vs the competition

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Also Ranked In

OVN-Kubernetes is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — OVN-Kubernetes 8.8/10

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

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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