Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) vs Rancher Labs comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 24, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Nutanix Kubernetes Platform...
Ranking in Container Management
12th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
6
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Rancher Labs
Ranking in Container Management
7th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
14
Ranking in other categories
Data Storage for Kubernetes (2nd)
 

Featured Reviews

TAIYAB HASAN - PeerSpot reviewer
Has centralized microservices and enabled autonomous team operations through clustered access
I find everything useful in Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) scenario, especially now that we have management clusters separate from production clusters, which gives us more flexibility to work independently, allowing application teams, database teams, or web server teams to work without any involvement from the admin team. Before, it was a bit confusing for all the teams because it was a mix and match, but now it's clear, having multiple clusters running on NKP, with cluster-based access or role-based access, which is one of the best features now in NKP. Automation in Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) is one of the very useful features, as it allows us to define automation, so whether we are there or not, it works as per the requirement, reducing the need to involve everyone every time. The Nutanix intuitive interface looks good; it's not confusing because if you are working on Nutanix HCI, it's a different interface, and if you are working on Nutanix Kubernetes (NKP), it's also a different interface. If you've worked before on Kubernetes, it gives you the same feel and look, making it familiar as the Kubernetes app API is already inbuilt in NKP. The security features of Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) help protect applications; we are utilizing the security level provided by NKP and also using a third-party tool, Palo Alto, to protect in two ways.
RyanVassallo - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers an open-source version along with a good UI
The product has multiple good features. One of the solution's good features is that it is the GitOps functionality known as Rancher fleet, which is used for continuous delivery. The tool's UI is very convenient enough to help you manage multiple clusters in the cloud or on-premises, making it a product with which you can manage different clusters and locations. The tool also has a feature that is still kind of maturing, but I think it has very good potential. This new feature is named Harvester, which is allows users to have virtual machines managed by Kubernetes engine. This is very new technology in the market. I think that Harvester needs to mature as a product, and I think that in the future, it will be very powerful. You have one tool that does many things for you.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"Migration from public cloud to private cloud and vice versa is actually seamless using Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), making it very handy when providing a Kubernetes platform for customers needing on-premises solutions during application modernization."
"The stability of Nutanix is exceptional; when operational, it performs flawlessly and demonstrates remarkable resilience."
"The platform is easy to set up, maintain, and update."
"Before working with Nutanix Kubernetes (NKP), I was working on Dockers, which required separate setups for each microservice, application, or web server, but now everything is under one umbrella, allowing us to manage it all without going here and there."
"The platform is stable."
"The initial setup is simple and straightforward."
"The customized deployment process is the most valuable feature in Rancher Labs."
"The scalability potential is very good."
"This solution is not vendor-locked, which means that we we are able to use it across all of our resources; this feature is of great value to us."
"The most valuable feature of Rancher Labs is its user interface, which makes it easier to work with containers and deployment."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is an open-source solution that is easy to deploy."
"A great UI with very good integrations."
"The product is simple to use for a beginner."
 

Cons

"They have to improve their marketplace offering for Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) which is currently limited."
"A significant limitation of the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) is its requirement for extensive Kubernetes knowledge."
"There are some limitations with the non-air gap version as it requires complete internet access, which poses restrictions due to government regulations."
"In Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), I believe the migration process needs to be much simpler, similar to other Kubernetes platforms we are using, with all steps being clear and direct to facilitate an easier experience for everyone."
"While Rancher Labs provides some level of security, it's not considered very robust."
"Could be more intuitive."
"If you have poor infrastructure, you will have issues with the tool."
"I can't migrate to the newer version."
"There needs to be an improvement in observability and microservice monitoring tools in Rancher Labs."
"We'd like their monitoring tool to be integrated by default."
"The biggest room for improvement in Rancher Labs would be to have a proper upgrading plan."
"We're looking for something that is even easier to use. It's a bit complicated."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available
"The pricing of the solution sits in the mid range, not high and not low. It has a fixed price that you pay every month."
"Although Rancher Labs is an open-source solution, they also offer a paid version, where you buy the support when needed."
"This is an open-source solution, so there are no licensing costs involved."
"There is an annual subscription. The price of the solution should be cheaper and have better pricing flexibility."
"There are no hidden charges attached to the product unless a user opts for the premium support offered by the solution."
"The solution is free and open source but there is a fee for support."
"The cost is reasonable since it's open source. Rancher effectively addresses container orchestration trends, especially for those with some Kubernetes knowledge."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Container Management solutions are best for your needs.
872,655 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Retailer
12%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
43%
Computer Software Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business6
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise6
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)?
In Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), I believe the migration process needs to be much simpler, similar to other Kubernetes platforms we are using, with all steps being clear and direct to facilita...
What is your primary use case for Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)?
For Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), we are using applications, web servers, databases, and we have almost more than 100 servers running on NKP and microservices, which are the use cases in our c...
What advice do you have for others considering Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)?
The security features of Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) help protect applications; we are utilizing the security level provided by NKP and also using a third-party tool, Palo Alto, to protect in...
What do you like most about Rancher Labs?
The tool's UI is very convenient enough to help you manage multiple clusters in the cloud or the company, making it a product with which you can manage different clusters and locations.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Rancher Labs?
The cost is reasonable since it's open-source. Rancher effectively addresses container orchestration trends, especially for those with some Kubernetes knowledge.
What needs improvement with Rancher Labs?
While Rancher Labs provides some level of security, it's not considered very robust. We found it to offer basic security features, which met some of our requirements, but we also relied on other op...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Albert Heijn, Bell, BMC, Samsung, WindStream, Johnson & Johnson
Find out what your peers are saying about Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) vs. Rancher Labs and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
872,655 professionals have used our research since 2012.