Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Deploy and scale containers on managed Kubernetes
Simplify Kubernetes operations, build cloud-native apps, and innovate with AI and open-source technology.
OVERVIEW
Deploy and manage containerized applications at scale
- Securely modernize and optimize Kubernetes environments with unified management, governance, and monitoring.
- Optimize app performance at scale and increase productivity of containerized workloads from cloud to edge.
- Boost your development with AKS Automatic (preview). Deliver high-quality applications on time by easily deploying, scaling, and managing Kubernetes clusters on Azure. Also, streamline workflows and reduce manual tasks with integrated continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, thus speeding up development.
- Explore new scenarios by tapping into open-source solutions and innovating with AI, the cloud, and machine learning. Get started with the OpenAI quickstart for AKS.
FEATURES
Innovate with seamless Kubernetes deployment and operation
Simplified Kubernetes experience
Automate cluster management tasks such as upgrades, node provisioning, scaling, and network configuration with Automatic mode (preview).
Curated code-to-cloud experience
Enable end-to-end developer productivity with debugging, automated node maintenance, and continuous integration and continuous delivery.
Integrated monitoring and logging
Get in-depth performance and health insights of Kubernetes clusters and containerized applications.
Advanced security and governance controls
Monitor and maintain container security for governance at scale with robust identity and access management.
Cloud-to-edge deployments
Get support for Linux, Windows Server, and Internet of Things (IoT) resources with AKS deployment on the infrastructure of your choice using Azure Arc.
Secure container supply chains
Use trusted Kubernetes solutions in the Azure Marketplace with click-through deployments and flexible billing models.
Advanced container networking
Implement enhanced network observability and security features to ensure secure, compliant, and high-performing containerized applications.
SECURITY
Built-in security and compliance
Microsoft has committed to investing $20 billion in cybersecurity over five years.
We employ more than 8,500 security and threat intelligence experts across 77 countries.
Azure has one of the largest compliance certification portfolios in the industry.
PRICING
Flexible, tier-based pricing to meet your different workload needs
- Try the Automatic tier (preview) and provide feedback.
- Start with the Free tier for experimentation and development and pay only for underlying resources.
- Use the Standard tier for all production workloads to get a guaranteed SLA, scalable Kubernetes control plane, and higher node limit per cluster.
- Upgrade to Premium tier for workloads requiring long-term support.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Take advantage of the Azure ecosystem
Enhance your applications with security, monitoring, networking, storage, and other features with Azure services.
Azure Container Registry
Manage container images and artifacts with a fully managed, geo-replicated instance of OCI distribution.
Azure Container Storage
Manage persistent storage volumes for stateful container applications.
Microsoft Defender for Containers
Improve, monitor, and maintain the security of your containerized assets.
GitHub
Code confidently using the world’s leading developer platform, seamlessly integrated with Azure.
Azure Managed Grafana
Deploy Grafana dashboards as a fully managed Azure service.
Azure Arc
Secure, develop, and operate infrastructure, apps, and Azure services from anywhere.
Azure managed databases
Power cloud-native applications or modernize existing applications with fully managed, flexible databases.
Azure AI Foundry
Build intelligent apps at enterprise scale with Azure AI Foundry.
Build intelligent apps with Kubernetes
Combine AI, cloud-scale data, and cloud-native app development to create unique digital experiences.
CUSTOMER STORIES
See how customers are innovating with Azure Kubernetes Service
RESOURCES
Learn more to get started
Frequently asked questions
- Kubernetes is open-source software for deploying and managing containerized applications at scale. It orchestrates a cluster of Azure virtual machines, schedules containers, automatically manages service discovery, incorporates load balancing, tracks resource allocation, and manages the health of individual resources using automatic restart/replication. AKS is a managed service that automates provisioning, upgrading, on-demand scaling, and more. Learn more about Kubernetes.
- Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a fully managed Kubernetes service that simplifies cluster management and reduces operational overhead. It offers autoscaling for seamless application scaling, enterprise-grade security features, and integration with popular development tools and CI/CD pipelines. AKS ensures high availability with SLA-backed uptime, continuous backups, and automatic maintenance. Additionally, it has a global reach, providing low latency and high performance for applications. Learn more about AKS.
- AKS offers the quickest way to start developing and deploying cloud-native and intelligent apps in Azure, datacenters, or at the edge, with built-in code-to-cloud pipelines and guardrails. As a hosted Kubernetes service, Azure handles critical tasks, like health monitoring and maintenance. You only manage and maintain the agent nodes.
- AKS supports a diverse set of containerized workloads, including monoliths and microservices, stateful and stateless, and edge and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases. You can quickly deploy packaged solutions from Microsoft partners to AKS with Kubernetes apps in the Azure Marketplace to get up and running faster. Learn more about Kubernetes apps.
- AKS can run in on-premises datacenters or in edge environments, such as a retail store or branch office. Azure Kubernetes Service is enabled by Azure Arc and can be deployed on Azure Stack HCI and on both Windows Server 2019 and 2022 Datacenter. These flexible deployment options are enabled by Azure Arc and make it quicker to get started hosting Linux and Windows containers in your datacenter or edge locations. Learn more about hybrid AKS.
- AKS relies on the releases and patches from Kubernetes, an open-source project that supports a sliding window of three minor versions. The Free and Standard tiers of AKS can only guarantee full support while those versions are being serviced. AKS also provides a long-term support (LTS) version of Kubernetes for a two-year period as part of our Premium tier. Learn more about LTS.
Next steps
Choose the Azure account that’s right for you
Pay as you go or try Azure free for up to 30 days.
Azure solutions
Azure cloud solutions
Solve your business problems with proven combinations of Azure cloud services, as well as sample architectures and documentation.
Business Solutions Hub
Find the right Microsoft Cloud solution
Browse the Microsoft Business Solutions Hub to find the products and solutions that can help your organization reach its goals.
- [1]GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
