Best Free Container Management Software of 2025

Google Cloud Platform offers a robust solution to container management, Google Kubernetes Engine. This allows users manage, deploy and scale containerized apps. GKE automates deployment and has built-in scalability to support microservices architectures. Customers are given $300 in credits to test, run and deploy workloads. This gives them the chance to experiment with container management and explore how GCP supports containerized workloads. GCP's Container Services integrate with other Google Tools like Cloud Build and Cloud Monitoring to allow businesses to build, monitor, and deploy applications in real-time. GKE also provides automatic updates and patches management to ensure that containerized apps remain secure and current. These capabilities allow businesses to manage containerized workloads with minimal overhead.

Kasm Workspaces streams your workplace environment directly to your web browser…on any device and from any location. Kasm is revolutionizing the way businesses deliver digital workspaces. We use our open-source web native container streaming technology to create a modern devops delivery of Desktop as a Service, application streaming, and browser isolation. Kasm is more than a service. It is a platform that is highly configurable and has a robust API that can be customized to your needs at any scale. Workspaces can be deployed wherever the work is. It can be deployed on-premise (including Air-Gapped Networks), in the cloud (Public and Private), or in a hybrid.

Portainer Business makes managing containers easy. It is designed to be deployed from the data centre to the edge and works with Docker, Swarm and Kubernetes. It is trusted by more than 500K users. With its super-simple GUI and its comprehensive Kube-compatible API, Portainer Business makes it easy for anyone to deploy and manage container-based applications, triage container-related issues, set up automate Git-based workflows and build CaaS environments that end users love to use. Portainer Business works with all K8s distros and can be deployed on prem and/or in the cloud. It is designed to be used in team environments where there are multiple users and multiple clusters. The product incorporates a range of security features - including RBAC, OAuth integration and logging, which makes it suitable for use in large, complex production environments. For platform managers responsible for delivering a self-service CaaS environment, Portainer includes a suite of features that help control what users can / can't do and significantly reduces the risks associated with running containers in prod. Portainer Business is fully supported and includes a comprehensive onboarding experience that ensures you get up and running.

Welcome to K8 Studio - your ultimate cross platform client IDE for effortless Kubernetes Cluster management. You can deploy seamlessly to popular platforms like EKS, GKE and AKS or your dedicated bare-metal setup. Connect to your cluster using an intuitive interface that provides a visual representation of services, nodes, pods and more. With a single click, you can access logs, detailed descriptions of elements, and a bash console. K8Studio features are user-friendly and will enhance your Kubernetes experiences. Grid view provides a tabular display for all Kubernetes items. The left bar allows the user to select specific object types. This view is interactive and updated in real-time. Users can easily search and filter objects based on namespaces, and rearrange columns. Organizes workloads by namespace, instance, and services. Visualize object connections to quickly count pods and check status.

Ambassador Edge Stack, a Kubernetes-native API Gateway, provides simplicity, security, and scalability for some of the largest Kubernetes infrastructures in the world. Ambassador Edge Stack makes it easy to secure microservices with a complete set of security functionality including automatic TLS, authentication and rate limiting. WAF integration is also available. Fine-grained access control is also possible. The API Gateway is a Kubernetes-based ingress controller that supports a wide range of protocols, including gRPC, gRPC Web, TLS termination, and traffic management controls to ensure resource availability.

The Percona Kubernetes Opera for Percona XtraDB Cluster and Percona Server For MongoDB automates the creation of, alteration or deletion of members within your Percona XtraDB Cluster and Percona Serverfor MongoDB environments. It can be used for creating a Percona XtraDB Cluster, Percona Server For MongoDB replica set or scaling an existing environment. The Operator contains all required Kubernetes settings for a consistent Percona XtraDB cluster or Percona Server to MongoDB instance. The Percona Kubernetes Operators follow best practices in the configuration and setup of a Percona XtraDB cluster or Percona Server to MongoDB replica set. The Operator has many benefits, but the most important is to save time and provide a consistent, vetted environment.

Kubernetes is the platform for big ideas. The leading enterprise container platform, hybrid cloud, empowers developers to innovate faster and ship more products. Red Hat OpenShift automates installation, upgrades, lifecycle management, and lifecycle management for the entire container stack, including Kubernetes, cluster services, and applications. It can be used on any cloud. Red Hat OpenShift allows teams to build with speed, agility and confidence. You can code in production mode wherever you choose to build. Do the important work. Red Hat OpenShift focuses on security at all levels of the container stack as well as throughout the application lifecycle. It includes enterprise support from one the most prominent Kubernetes contributors as well as open source software companies.

Far too many companies have been falsely convinced they have the same technical requirements as Google and Amazon. Instead of utilizing solutions that solve the issues that matter most, companies are adopting evergrowing technical stacks that delay progress more than accelerate it. Instead of chasing hype and trying to solve an infinite number of problems, we at Cycle have doubled-down on building a solid foundation that addresses the problems that really matter.

You can use your favorite debugging software to locally troubleshoot your Kubernetes services. Telepresence, an open-source tool, allows you to run one service locally and connect it to a remote Kubernetes cluster. Telepresence was initially developed by Ambassador Labs, which creates open-source development tools for Kubernetes such as Ambassador and Forge. We welcome all contributions from the community. You can help us by submitting an issue, pull request or reporting a bug. Join our active Slack group to ask questions or inquire about paid support plans. Telepresence is currently under active development. Register to receive updates and announcements. You can quickly debug locally without waiting for a container to be built/push/deployed. Ability to use their favorite local tools such as debugger, IDE, etc. Ability to run large-scale programs that aren't possible locally.

8gears Container Registry is a Harbor-based container registry as a service offered and operated by the project's maintainer and contributors

Most Kubernetes platforms let you spin up and manage Kubernetes clusters. Loft doesn't. Loft is an advanced control plan that runs on top your Kubernetes clusters. It adds multi-tenancy and self service capabilities to these clusters in order to get the most out of Kubernetes. Loft offers a powerful UI/CLI, but it is 100% Kubernetes. You can control everything via Kubectl or the Kubernetes API. This allows for seamless integration with cloud-native tools. Our DNA is built on open-source software. Loft Labs is a CNCF and Linux Foundation member. Loft allows companies to empower employees to create low-cost Kubernetes environments that are easy to use for a variety purposes.

Kubernetes, the cloud OS, is what you need. Lens is the largest and most advanced Kubernetes platform. It has been used by thousands of people and businesses to develop and manage their Kubernetes. Lens Desktop can be used with any Kubernetes. It reduces complexity and improves productivity. It can be used by anyone, from developers to ops to large companies. Lens Spaces, a cloud-based service that expands functionality, is available. It organizes your Kubernetes environments, and provides Managed Development Clusters for your staff. Lens is open-source and supported by Kubernetes as well as cloud native ecosystem pioneers. The smart terminal includes kubectl, helm, and automatically syncs the version of Kubectl with the current K8S cluster API version. Lens will automatically assign the context kubeconfig to the current K8S cluster.

Rapidly create, launch, and expand web applications and APIs according to your specifications. Utilize frameworks such as .NET, .NET Core, Node.js, Java, Python, or PHP, whether in containers or on Windows or Linux platforms. Achieve demanding enterprise-level standards for performance, security, and compliance with a reliable, fully managed service that processes over 40 billion requests daily. This managed service includes automatic infrastructure upkeep, security updates, and scalability features. It also offers integrated CI/CD support and ensures zero-downtime deployments. With stringent security measures and compliance certifications like SOC and PCI, seamless deployments are possible across public cloud environments, Azure Government, and on-premises setups. You can bring your existing code or container using your preferred framework. Enhance developer efficiency through deep integration with Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio. Additionally, simplify CI/CD workflows with tools such as Git, GitHub, GitHub Actions, Atlassian Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, Docker Hub, and Azure Container Registry, allowing teams to work more collaboratively and effectively. Embrace the flexibility of choosing the tools that best fit your project's needs.

Helm is a tool that helps you manage Kubernetes apps. Helm charts can help you create, modify, and upgrade any Kubernetes app. Charts are simple to create, modify, share, publish, and update. Charts can be used to describe complex apps, make it easy to install the application again and act as a single point for authority. With custom hooks and in-place upgrades, you can take the hassle out of updating. Charts can be easily authored, shared, and hosted on public or private servers. You can use helm rollback to easily roll back to an older release. Helm uses a packaging format called charts. A chart is a collection or files that describes a set of Kubernetes resource. One chart can be used to deploy a simple thing like a memcached container or a complex web app stack that includes HTTP servers, databases, caches and more.

Deploy production-ready Kubernetes clusters in days. Rapidly onboard users. With an intuitive and powerful DevOps tool, you can conquer Kubernetes complexity. Reduce friction between teams, improve alignment, and increase productivity. Nirmata's Kubernetes policy manager will ensure that you have the right security, compliance, and Kubernetes governance in order to scale efficiently. The DevSecOps Platform allows you to manage all your Kubernetes applications, policies, and clusters from one place, while streamlining operations. Nirmata's DevSecOps platform can integrate with cloud providers (EKS/AKS, GKE/OKE, etc.). and infrastructure-based solutions (VMware and Nutanix, Bare Metal) and solves Kubernetes operation challenges for enterprise DevOps team members with powerful Kubernetes governance and management capabilities.

WebContainers are a browser runtime environment developed by StackBlitz that allows the execution of Node.js apps and operating system commands within a web tab. This technology allows developers create instant interactive coding environments, from tutorials to fully-fledged Integrated Development Environments, without the use of local setups or cloud based virtual machines. WebContainers are client-side applications that offer a unique user experience with zero latency and offline capabilities. They also provide enhanced security by eliminating the risks associated with server side code execution. They are compatible with all major frameworks and support native Node.js tools, such as npm and pnpm. WebContainers also allow WebAssembly to run out of the box. This allows for the porting various languages and frameworks into the browser environment.

Karpenter simplifies Kubernetes Infrastructure by launching the right nodes when they are needed. Karpenter is a high-performance, open source Kubernetes autoscaler. It simplifies infrastructure management through the automatic launch of the appropriate compute resources for your cluster's application. Karpenter is designed to take advantage of the full cloud potential. It enables Kubernetes clusters to quickly and easily provision compute resources. It increases application availability by quickly responding to changes in the application load, scheduling and resource requirements. It efficiently places new workloads on a variety available computing resources. Karpenter reduces cluster computing costs by identifying opportunities to remove unutilized nodes, replacing expensive nodes with cheaper alternatives, and consolidating workloads onto more efficient resources.

Mesos operates on principles similar to those of the Linux kernel, but it functions at a higher level of abstraction. Its kernel is deployed across all machines, facilitating applications such as Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and Elasticsearch by offering APIs that manage resources and schedules throughout entire data centers and cloud infrastructures. Additionally, Mesos includes native capabilities for launching containers using Docker and AppC images. It enables both cloud-native and legacy applications to run within the same cluster while allowing for customizable scheduling policies. Users benefit from HTTP APIs designed for the development of new distributed applications, as well as tools for cluster management and monitoring. Furthermore, there is a built-in Web UI that allows users to observe the state of the cluster and navigate through container sandboxes, enhancing overall operability and visibility. This comprehensive approach makes Mesos a versatile option for managing complex application deployments effectively.

It is a simple and flexible task orchestrator that deploys and manages containers and non-containerized apps across on-prem as well as cloud environments. One 35MB binary that can be integrated into existing infrastructure. It is easy to use on-prem and in the cloud with minimal overhead. You can orchestrate any type of application, not just containers. First-class support for Docker and Windows, Java, VMs, VMs, and other technologies. Orchestration benefits can be added to existing services. Zero downtime deployments, increased resilience, higher resource utilization, as well as greater resilience can all be achieved without containerization. Multi-region, multicloud federation - single command Nomad is a single control plane that allows you to deploy applications worldwide to any region. One workflow to deploy to cloud or bare metal environments. Multi-cloud applications can be enabled with ease. Nomad seamlessly integrates with Terraform Consul and Vault for provisioning and service networking. Secrets management is also possible.

Anthos enables the creation, deployment, and management of applications in a secure and uniform way, regardless of location. It allows for the modernization of legacy applications that operate on virtual machines, while simultaneously facilitating the deployment of cloud-native applications utilizing containers in a world that increasingly embraces hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This application platform ensures a consistent experience for both development and operations across all deployments, which helps to lower operational costs and enhance developer efficiency. Anthos GKE provides a robust enterprise-level service for orchestrating and managing Kubernetes clusters, whether in cloud settings or on-premises infrastructures. Anthos Config Management allows organizations to define, automate, and enforce policies across various environments, ensuring compliance with specific security requirements. Furthermore, Anthos Service Mesh alleviates the burden on operations and development teams, granting them the ability to effectively manage and secure traffic between services while also enabling real-time monitoring, troubleshooting, and enhancement of application performance. In conclusion, adopting Anthos can significantly streamline the management of complex application ecosystems.

ArvanCloud CDN consists of tens to PoP sites at important locations around the globe to deliver online content to users, from the nearest geographical point at the highest quality and speed. You can create unlimited cloud servers with ArvanCloud Cloud Computing infrastructure in just a few clicks. You can create multiple cloud storage disks per server and manage your cloud data center communications with Firewall and private or public networks. ArvanCloud allows you secure any type of data stored on Cloud Storage. You can access a reliable storage system anywhere in the world and have no worries about data loss. ArvanCloud Container-Based Platform as a Service conforms to Kubernetes standards. You are only a few commands away from an operational product with ArvanCloud Container-Based Platform as a Service.

WhaleDeck is the ultimate app to monitor and control your Docker containers. WhaleDeck's user-friendly interface is packed with powerful features. It is the only tool that you need to manage Docker environments. WhaleDeck's real time visualization of CPU, Memory, Drive and Network usage allows you to easily monitor your containers. Log viewer allows you to keep track of container logs, and identify problems quickly. With the ability to manage multiple servers simultaneously, you can manage all your Docker environments in one place. You can control your containers by running actions such as start, stop and pause for a single container, or multiple containers, at the same time. Split View allows you to work more efficiently by displaying multiple parts of your Docker Environment side-by-side. WhaleDeck is the perfect tool for anyone who needs to manage Docker Containers, whether they are developers, DevOps engineers, or simply someone who wants to manage Docker Containers.

What is Podman? Podman is a daemonless container engine that allows you to develop, manage, and run OCI Containers on your Linux System. Containers can be run in root or rootless mode. Simply put: alias docker=podman. Manage containers, pods, and container images.