Helm
helm.sh
What it is
Helm is a package manager for applications that run in Kubernetes clusters. It groups related Kubernetes resources into versioned charts that can be shared, installed, upgraded, or rolled back. Charts can depend on other charts, and teams can supply different values for development, staging, and production. Helm manages applications such as databases, monitoring stacks, and ingress controllers. Its command-line client communicates with the Kubernetes API server; the Helm library carries out chart operations. Release information is kept in Kubernetes Secrets, so Helm does not require a separate database. Charts can be stored locally or fetched from remote repositories, and plugins can extend Helm, including with custom download protocols. Helm is a self-managed command-line tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows, licensed under Apache-2.0. Its listed plan costs nothing. Helm's scope is applications in a cluster, not setting up or operating the cluster itself.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Helm is the package manager for Kubernetes applications.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Security
- Helm releases include cryptographic signatures, and the installation guide recommends verifying checksums and maintainer PGP signatures before installation.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Support
- Community support is available through Kubernetes Slack channels, a mailing list, developer calls, Stack Overflow, and GitHub.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Founded
- 2015Read 28 Sep 2026 · helm.sh
- Application management
- Helm installs and manages applications such as databases, monitoring stacks, and ingress controllers from charts.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Architecture
- The Helm client is a command-line tool that communicates with the Kubernetes API server, while the Helm library performs chart operations.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Charts
- Helm packages related Kubernetes resources into versioned charts that can be shared, installed, upgraded, and rolled back.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Configuration
- Helm supports supplying different values to the same chart for development, staging, and production environments.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Dependencies
- Helm charts can declare dependencies on other charts and install them together.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Governance
- Helm is a graduated Cloud Native Computing Foundation project maintained by the Helm community.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Plugins
- Helm plugins extend the core feature set and can provide custom chart download protocols.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Repositories
- Charts can be stored on disk or fetched from remote chart repositories, with Artifact Hub listing publicly available charts.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Scope limit
- Helm focuses on applications running in a Kubernetes cluster, while standing up and operating the cluster itself is outside its scope.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Storage
- Helm stores release information in Kubernetes Secrets and does not require its own database.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Supported installation
- Official installation methods include pre-built binary releases and an installer script; community methods include Homebrew, Chocolatey, Scoop, Winget, Apt, dnf/yum, Snap, and FreeBSD pkg.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
- Users
- Helm identifies application operators, application distributors, application developers, and supporting tool developers as user roles.Read 1 Oct 2026 · helm.sh
Plans and prices
Helm Free Apache-2.0 license · command-line tool · self-managed Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Packages resources into shareable, versioned charts
- Supports upgrades and rollbacks
- Allows environment-specific chart values
- Stores release information in Kubernetes Secrets
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Limits
- Does not set up or operate Kubernetes clusters
- Requires a Kubernetes cluster for its application-management scope
Who it suits
Helm suits application operators, developers, distributors, and tool developers working with Kubernetes applications. It is not for managing the cluster itself.
Verdict
Helm provides chart-based packaging and lifecycle management for Kubernetes applications, with support for dependencies and environment-specific values. Its scope stops at applications, rather than cluster operations.
Where Specifiction places it
- Cli Tools#14 of 327.9
- Kubernetes Deployment Tools#14 of 287.9
