Best Kubernetes DevOps Tools

Find the best Kubernetes-native DevOps tools for CI/CD, infrastructure management, and developer portals running on Kubernetes.

Kubernetes-Native DevOps

Kubernetes has become the standard platform for running modern cloud-native applications, and the best DevOps tools for Kubernetes are those that embrace Kubernetes-native patterns. Tools that integrate deeply with Kubernetes CRDs, operators, and APIs provide the most seamless experience for teams already running workloads on K8s.

Kubernetes Infrastructure Management

Crossplane is purpose-built as a Kubernetes controller that transforms your cluster into a universal control plane for infrastructure. It uses Kubernetes CRDs to represent cloud resources, enabling teams to manage infrastructure through the same GitOps workflows as their applications. This represents the most Kubernetes-native approach to IaC available.

CI/CD for Kubernetes

GitLab CI/CD offers native Kubernetes integration with auto DevOps, which automatically detects your application type and configures CI/CD pipelines. It includes a built-in container registry and supports Kubernetes deployments through its comprehensive Kubernetes integration. Pulumi's strong Kubernetes provider allows managing K8s resources alongside cloud infrastructure.

Developer Portals on Kubernetes

Backstage provides first-class Kubernetes support through its Kubernetes plugin, which displays the status of your K8s workloads directly in the developer portal. Combined with its software catalog and scaffolder, Backstage gives platform teams a powerful tool for managing Kubernetes-based internal developer platforms.

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