Best OpenShift alternatives: finding the right Kubernetes platform

As containerized applications become the standard for modern software development, Kubernetes has emerged as the go-to platform for orchestrating and managing these workloads. However, Kubernetes can be complex to configure and operate at scale, prompting many enterprises to seek solutions that simplify deployment, security, and scalability.

One of the most well-known enterprise Kubernetes platforms is Red Hat OpenShift, which builds upon Kubernetes by adding security features, developer-friendly workflows, and enterprise-grade support. OpenShift makes it easier to manage containers, which is why many large companies rely on it for a secure and stable setup.

But OpenShift isn’t for everyone. It can be expensive and complex and sometimes lock you into Red Hat’s ecosystem. Additionally, since OpenShift is a fork of Kubernetes, it often lags behind upstream Kubernetes releases, which may impact access to the latest features and improvements. That’s why many teams explore other options. In this guide, we’ll break down what OpenShift offers, why some teams switch, and the best alternatives available today.

Red Hat OpenShift is an enterprise-grade container platform based on Kubernetes. It provides a comprehensive environment for developers and operations teams to deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications efficiently. By enhancing Kubernetes with built-in security, automation tools, and a developer-friendly experience, OpenShift helps organizations streamline application delivery while maintaining strong governance and compliance.

• Enterprise-grade Kubernetes – Built on Kubernetes but with additional security, networking, and monitoring capabilities tailored for enterprise use.
• Automated deployment & scaling – Integrated DevOps tools enable CI/CD pipelines and auto-scaling for smoother application lifecycle management.
• Security & compliance – Features like role-based access control (RBAC), built-in image scanning, and policy enforcement help maintain a secure infrastructure.
• Multi-cloud & hybrid cloud support – OpenShift can run on-premises, in public clouds (AWS, GCP, Azure), or in hybrid cloud environments.
• Developer experience enhancements – Tools like Source-to-Image (S2I) and a streamlined web console improve development workflows and accelerate app delivery.

OpenShift has a lot to offer, but it's not a perfect fit for everyone. Here are some common reasons teams explore alternatives:

• Cost – OpenShift can be costly, particularly for smaller teams or startups, due to licensing fees and required infrastructure investments. Its default architecture has higher resource demands, including dedicated control plane nodes and additional monitoring and logging components, further increasing infrastructure costs.
• Complexity – While OpenShift simplifies Kubernetes in some ways, it still has a learning curve and requires expertise to manage effectively.
• Vendor lock-in – OpenShift is deeply integrated with Red Hat technologies, which may limit flexibility for teams that rely on other ecosystems.
• Customization needs – Some organizations prefer a lighter-weight or more customizable Kubernetes distribution tailored to their specific workloads.
• Performance & scalability – Depending on the use case, other Kubernetes distributions may offer better performance, faster scaling, or improved cloud-native capabilities.

Not sure if OpenShift is right for you? Here’s what to look for in an alternative:

• Ease of Use – A user-friendly interface and automation tools can simplify Kubernetes management and reduce operational overhead.
• Cost Efficiency – Consider total ownership costs, including licensing, infrastructure, and support fees.
• Multi-cloud & Hybrid Support – Ensure compatibility with cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, especially if your workloads run across multiple environments.
• Security & Compliance – Look for platforms with built-in security features, role-based access controls, and compliance certifications for your industry.
• CI/CD Integration – Seamless integration with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools can improve development speed and reliability.
• Scalability & Performance – Evaluate how well the platform handles large workloads, auto-scaling, and high-traffic applications.
• Community & Support – A strong open-source community or reliable enterprise support can be crucial for long-term platform success.

If OpenShift doesn’t align with your organization’s needs, there are several alternatives that offer different levels of flexibility, management, and cost efficiency. Here are some of the top options:

Northflank is a platform that enables developers to build, deploy, and scale applications, services, databases, and jobs on any cloud through a self-service approach. For DevOps and platform teams, Northflank provides a powerful abstraction layer over Kubernetes, enabling templated, standardized production releases with intelligent defaults while maintaining necessary configurability.

Key features:

• Fully managed Kubernetes-based platform with a developer-friendly UI.
• Integrated CI/CD, real-time logs, and autoscaling.
• Supports Bring Your Own Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• It focuses on developer experience and removes Kubernetes complexity.

Potential drawbacks:

• Highly experienced DevOps teams might find it restrictive compared to directly managing raw Kubernetes clusters. It’s a fine balance between ease of use, flexibility, and customization; that line differs for every organization.
• Less established compared to legacy platforms like OpenShift or Rancher.

See how Weights company uses Northflank to scale to millions of users without a DevOps team

Rancher is an open-source Kubernetes management platform that simplifies deployment and administration, especially in multi-cluster and multi-cloud environments. It provides centralized cluster management, making it ideal for enterprises running Kubernetes across multiple providers.

Key features:

• Easy cluster provisioning and lifecycle management.
• Built-in security, monitoring, and policy management.
• Supports on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.

Potential drawbacks:

• Requires some Kubernetes expertise to configure and manage.
• May not have as extensive enterprise support as OpenShift.

VMware Tanzu is an enterprise-grade Kubernetes and application modernization platform. It offers deep integration with VMware’s existing infrastructure, making it a strong choice for companies already using VMware products.

Key features:

• Enterprise-level security and compliance controls.
• Seamless integration with VMware vSphere and other VMware tools.
• Multi-cloud Kubernetes support, including on-premises and cloud deployments.

Potential drawbacks:

• Best suited for VMware environments, making it less ideal for teams using other infrastructure solutions.
• Licensing costs may be high for some organizations.

For teams that prefer fully managed Kubernetes services, Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Google Kubernetes Engine, and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) provide scalable, managed Kubernetes clusters with seamless integration into their respective cloud ecosystems.

Key features:

• Managed Kubernetes clusters with automated updates and security patches.
• Integrated cloud-native services for storage, networking, and monitoring.
• Reduced operational overhead compared to self-managed Kubernetes.

Potential drawbacks:

• Deeply tied to their respective cloud ecosystems, making multi-cloud strategies more complex.
• Limited customization compared to self-managed Kubernetes.

Platform9 is a managed Kubernetes solution designed for on-premises, edge, and hybrid cloud environments. Unlike fully cloud-hosted Kubernetes services, Platform9 allows organizations to run Kubernetes anywhere while benefiting from a SaaS-based management model.

Key features:

• Fully managed Kubernetes with a 99.9% uptime SLA.
• Works across on-prem, hybrid, and edge environments.
• Zero-touch upgrades and automated operations.
• Open-source foundation with no vendor lock-in.

Potential drawbacks:

• Smaller market share compared to OpenShift, which may affect long-term support.
• Reliance on a SaaS-based model may not be suitable for some enterprises.

Choosing an OpenShift alternative depends on your organization's needs. Here are some scenarios where an alternative may be a better fit:

• If cost is a concern: OpenShift licensing fees can be expensive, making free or lower-cost alternatives like Northflank more attractive.
• If simplicity is needed: Teams without dedicated DevOps resources may prefer an easier-to-use Kubernetes platform like Northflank.
• If avoiding vendor lock-in: Organizations that want flexibility in their cloud and infrastructure choices may prefer a more open solution.
• If scalability is a priority: Some platforms offer better performance for large-scale or multi-cloud deployments.
• If you need a developer-friendly Kubernetes experience: Some platforms, like Northflank, offer simplified workflows and automation tools that enhance productivity.

Managing Kubernetes shouldn’t be complicated. While OpenShift offers an enterprise-ready solution, its cost and complexity don’t work for everyone.

Northflank simplifies Kubernetes with an intuitive platform that includes built-in CI/CD, automated scaling, and multi-cloud support—all without vendor lock-in. Whether you're migrating from OpenShift or adopting Kubernetes for the first time, Northflank makes it faster, easier, and more cost-effective to deploy and manage applications.

If OpenShift feels like a burden, Northflank is a lightweight, scalable alternative that lets you focus on building, not infrastructure. Try Northflank today and experience seamless deployments, built-in automation, and flexible multi-cloud support—without the complexity of OpenShift. Get started now.