Mirantis Kubernetes Engine vs OKD
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine
docs.mirantis.com
OKD
okd.ioSide by side
| Figure | Mirantis Kubernetes Engine | OKD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Container Orchestration Software | 8.1 (#8) | 7.7 (#14) |
| Spec score · Container Management Software | 8.1 (#10) | 7.7 (#16) |
| Architecture | An MKE 4 cluster includes k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services. | OKD augments Kubernetes primarily by preinstalling more than 100 Operators that provide cluster components. |
| Deployment | MKE 4 supports deployment across public, private, multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, and bare-metal environments. | OKD supports installation on bare metal, virtualization platforms, and cloud platforms, using installer-provisioned or user-provisioned infrastructure. |
| Purpose | MKE 4 is an enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution. | OKD is an integrated Kubernetes platform for managing applications and clusters at scale. |
| Security | Mirantis describes MKE 4 as secure by default and says its default components are FIPS-validated. | The project site says its recommended design patterns enhance security posture and its defaults include hardened configuration. |
Plans
In their own words
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (MKE 4) is a self-hosted enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution. It supports deployment across public and private clouds, multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, and bare-metal infrastructure. Teams manage cluster lifecycle with the mkectl command-line tool and a declarative mke4.yaml configuration file; standardized APIs and GitOps-based lifecycle management are also listed. A cluster combines k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services. Calico is installed by default, with other network interface options supported. The web dashboard manages Kubernetes resources in an MKE-managed cluster. Backup and restore are supported, and the CLI upgrade process includes automated backups. Authentication through Dex supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP, but not MFA. MKE 4 requires x86_64 and Linux manager/control-plane nodes; supported operating systems include specified Ubuntu, RHEL, and Rocky Linux versions, plus Windows Server worker nodes. A valid license is required, and a trial license is available on request. Mirantis offers 24/7 proactive support or managed services.
OKD
OKD is a free, self-hosted Kubernetes platform for managing applications and clusters at scale. It extends Kubernetes with more than 100 preinstalled Operators and includes a web console, authentication, image registry and tooling, monitoring, networking, node configuration and upgrades, and Operator management. Cluster nodes run an immutable operating system managed through cluster APIs. OKD states that it is 100% compliant with Kubernetes, with additional patches for some advanced features, and its defaults include hardened configuration. The platform supports autoscaling, rolling updates, and policy controls. Installation works on bare metal, virtualization platforms, and cloud platforms, using installer-provisioned or user-provisioned infrastructure. Integrated deployments cover areas such as GitOps, service mesh, virtualization, and storage. Downloads include stable releases and nightly builds for installer and client tools. The installation guide provides signed-checksum verification instructions; its examples cover Linux and macOS client and installer archives and Windows client archives. OKD directs users to Kubernetes Slack’s #okd-dev channel and a Google Group. It describes uses for technologists, students, and OpenShift contributors and partners.