🔥Our TOP 13 DEPLOYMENT & TEMPLATING tools for KUBERNETES 🚀
Tags: kubernetes, devops, programming, beginners
Published: 2023-12-14 14:51:22

# TL;DR 🔍

Feeling a bit lost in the Kubernetes deployment and packaging tool jungle? Don't worry!
We've got your back with a comprehensive cheat sheet. Dive into our curated list, breaking down each tool, its purpose, and a user-friendliness rating to make your Kubernetes journey a breeze.
Say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to clarity with our go-to guide! 🌐🚀

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|                           Tool                            |   Lizenz    | GitHub  Stars | Ease of Use | UI | Commercial  Support | Templating | Deployment |
|:---------------------------------------------------------:|:-----------:|:-------------:|:-----------:|:--:|:--------------:|:----------:|:----------:|
|       [cdk8s](https://github.com/cdk8s-team/cdk8s)        | Apache  2.0 |     3.9k      |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |          ✅     |     ✅      |    ❌     |
|     [kubectl](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubectl)      | Apache  2.0 |     2.6k      |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |          ❌     |     ❌       |    ✅        |
|    [Glasskube](https://github.com/glasskube/operator)     |   LGPL.v3   |      152      |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ✅  |          ✅     |     ✅      |     ✅      |
|           [Helm](https://github.com/helm/helm)            | Apache  2.0 |     25.3k     |     ⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |          ❌     |     ✅      |     ✅      |
| [Kustomize](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/kustomize) | Apache  2.0 |     10.2k     |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |          ❌     |     ✅       |    ✅        |
|          [Flux](https://github.com/fluxcd/flux2)          | Apache  2.0 |     5.5k      |     ⭐⭐⭐     | ✅  |          ✅     |      ❌      |     ✅       |
|      [Argo CD](https://github.com/argoproj/argo-cd)       | Apache  2.0 |     14.9k     |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ✅  |          ❌     |      ❌      |    ✅        |
|     [Timoni](https://github.com/stefanprodan/timoni)      | Apache  2.0 |      981      |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐    | ❌  |          ❌     |     ✅       |    ❌        |
|     [Carvel](https://github.com/carvel-dev/carvel)        | Apache  2.0 |      325      |     ⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |          ❌     |      ✅      |    ❌        |
|        [Pulumi](https://github.com/pulumi/pulumi)         | Apache  2.0 |     18.4k     |    ⭐⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |           ✅    |      ✅      |    ❌        |
|    [Terraform](https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform)    |     BSL     |     39.8k     |      ⭐      | ✅  |            ✅   |     ✅       |    ✅        |
|  [Tanka with Jsonnet](https://github.com/grafana/tanka)   |     MIT     |     2.1k      |     ⭐⭐      | ❌  |           ❌    |     ✅       |    ❌        |
|  [Dhall](https://github.com/dhall-lang/dhall-kubernetes)  | Apache  2.0 |      600      |     ⭐⭐⭐     | ❌  |           ❌    |     ✅       |    ❌        |  

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## cdk8s: Where Kubernetes Meets Familiar Programming Languages

{% embed https://github.com/cdk8s-team/cdk8s %}

*What it is:* Cloud Development Kit for Kubernetes (cdk8s) lets you write Kubernetes Manifests / Helm-charts in an object orientated way.
You can easily extend existing classes, use interfaces and make sure you don't have to repeat yourself.
All your code will get compiled to `yaml` resources which than can easily deployed to your cluster.

*Strengths:* Beginner-friendly, object-oriented APIs, integrates with AWS CDK.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## kubectl: The Swiss Army Knife for Kubernetes Deployments

{% embed https://github.com/kubernetes/kubectl %}

*What it is:* Meet the command-line hero! kubectl is Kubernetes' official command-line interface.
It's your go-to tool for applying configurations, managing clusters, and handling everything Kubernetes from the terminal.
Using `kubectl edit` you can even directly edit and modify resources. (NOT RECOMMENDED)

*Strengths:* Standard, versatile, direct control over resources.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Glasskube: The simple Path to Kubernetes Deployment

{% embed https://github.com/glasskube/operator %}

*What it is:* Glasskube is your window into transparent Kubernetes deployments.
It pre-packages popular open-source apps and components and abstracts them via custom resources.
Glasskube utilizes a Kubernetes operator to install components in the correct namespaces and directly make sure apps and components are probably connected and configured.

*Strengths:* User-friendly, transparent deployment, emphasis on simplicity.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Helm: Kubernetes Package Manager

{% embed https://github.com/helm/helm %}

*What it is:* Helm is a common package manager for Kubernetes.
It simplifies complex app deployments by packaging them into "charts" that can be shared and deployed.

*Strengths:* Package management, community charts, versioning.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐

## Kustomize: Tailoring Kubernetes Configurations Like a Pro

{% embed https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/kustomize %}

*What it is:* Kustomize is part of kubectl and helps you to not duplicate your Kubernetes manifests.
You can reuse the same resources in multiple kustomizations and apply patches to modify only specific values.
You can also create reusable components to better organize your kustomize projects.

*Strengths:* Config customization, simplicity, integrates with GitOps.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Flux: GitOps Magic for Continuous Delivery

{% embed https://github.com/fluxcd/flux2 %}

*What it is:* Flux is a complete CD solution for Kubernetes.
It syncs your Kubernetes cluster with Manifests stored in a git repository.
It also has controllers for kustomizations and helm repositories which interact with the Kubernetes api by packaging helm in helm-controller.
With weaveworks there is also an UI and commercial support available.

*Strengths:* GitOps, automated syncing, continuous delivery.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐

## Argo CD: The Maestro of GitOps

{% embed https://github.com/argoproj/argo-cd %}

*What it is:* Argo CD is an alternative to flux with a stronger focus on a user interface to sync your manifests to your cluster.
It also follows the declarative approach where manifests should be stored in a git repository.

*Strengths:* GitOps, continuous delivery, declarative configuration.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Timoni: Simplicity in Kubernetes Deployment

{% embed https://github.com/stefanprodan/timoni %}

*What it is:* Timoni is an alternative to helm that.
It uses the nomenclature "bundle" to package applications. It also aims to manage the life cycle of applications and its CRDs.
It uses the CUE data validation language.

*Strengths:* User-friendly, streamlined deployment, minimal learning curve.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Carvel: The Swiss Army Knife for Kubernetes Configuration

{% embed https://github.com/carvel-dev/carvel %}

*What it is:* Carvel is your all-in-one toolkit for managing Kubernetes configurations. It offers a suite of tools, including `ytt` for templating and `kapp` for deploying applications.
Think of it as a Swiss Army Knife for fine-tuning your Kubernetes setup.

*Strengths:* Comprehensive toolkit, powerful templating, configuration management.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Pulumi: Kubernetes Deployments with a Dash of Code

{% embed https://github.com/pulumi/pulumi %}

*What it is:* Pulumi brings a unique twist to Kubernetes deployments by allowing you to define infrastructure as code using your favorite programming languages.
It can we used as an alternative to cdk8s.

*Strengths:* Infrastructure as code, multi-language support, easy to integrate.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

## Terraform: Infrastructure as Code for Kubernetes

{% embed https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform %}

*What it is:* Terraform is the seasoned veteran in the infrastructure-as-code realm.
It extends its prowess to Kubernetes, providing a declarative way to manage infrastructure.
If you're comfortable with HashiCorp's templating language `hcl` it can be valid alternative to using kustomize.

*Strengths:* Infrastructure as code, robust ecosystem, widely adopted.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐

## Grafana Tanka with Jsonnet: Templating Magic for Kubernetes Configurations

{% embed https://github.com/grafana/tanka %}

*What it is:* Grafana Tanka is another alternative to kustomize using the Jsonnet templating to create more powerful and extensible libraries of Kubernetes manifests

*Strengths:* Templating, reliability, dynamic configurations.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐

## Dhall: Functional Purity in Kubernetes Configuration

{% embed https://github.com/dhall-lang/dhall-kubernetes %}

*What it is:* Dhall brings functional programming goodness to Kubernetes configuration as an alternative to kustomize and tanka with jsonnet.
It offers a declarative language that's both human-readable and type-safe.

*Strengths:* Functional programming, type safety, human-readable syntax.

*Ease of Use:* ⭐⭐⭐

# Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kubernetes deployment landscape is undoubtedly vast, but armed with our comprehensive cheat sheet, you're now equipped to navigate it like a seasoned explorer.
From the simplicity of cdk8s to the coding magic of Pulumi, the Swiss Army finesse of Carvel, the templating sorcery of Jsonnet, and the functional purity of Dhall, each tool offers a unique journey in the realm of Kubernetes.
With user-friendliness ratings as your compass, embark on your deployment adventure with confidence.
Say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to clarity – you're now ready to conquer the Kubernetes universe! 🚀🌐✨

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[![Glasskube Github](https://cms.glasskube.eu/uploads/CTA_51bbe3bb2a.png)](https://github.com/glasskube/glasskube)