Compiled & fact-checked by the Softwares.com Editorial Team · Last reviewed June 2026 · How we rate
Key facts
- Vendor
- SUSE
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Self Hosted, Linux
- Best for
- DevOps, Edge Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Nuremberg, Germany
What is K3s?
K3s is a development IT tool from SUSE. A lightweight, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution packaged as a single binary, ideal for edge, IoT, CI and resource-constrained environments.
K3s uses open source pricing and offers a free tier you can start on without a credit card. Free.
It's best suited to devops, edge teams and runs on Self Hosted, Linux.
Standout strengths include single binary install, low resource usage, great for edge and iot. Worth weighing: not for very large clusters, some trade-offs vs full k8s.
K3s pricing
Pros
- Single binary install
- Low resource usage
- Great for edge and IoT
Cons
- Not for very large clusters
- Some trade-offs vs full k8s
K3s vs alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
What is K3s?
A lightweight, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution packaged as a single binary, ideal for edge, IoT, CI and resource-constrained environments.
How much does K3s cost?
K3s is open-source-priced. It has a free tier.
Does K3s have a free trial?
K3s offers a free tier rather than a time-limited trial.
What platforms does K3s support?
K3s is available on Self Hosted, Linux.