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—streamlining workflows and reducing manual tasks with integrated continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
- Explore new scenarios by tapping into open-source solutions and innovating with AI, the cloud, and machine learning. Simplify the deployment and management of AI models on AKS using the Kubernetes AI toolchain operator (KAITO).
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.
Multi-cluster management
Seamlessly manage multiple Kubernetes clusters at scale with Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager.
Security
Embedded security and compliance
34,000
Full-time equivalent engineers dedicated to security initiatives at Microsoft.
15,000
Partners with specialized security expertise.
>100
Compliance certifications, including over 50 specific to global regions and countries.
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 service-level agreement (SLA), scalable Kubernetes control plane, and higher node limit per cluster.
- Upgrade to Premium tier for workloads requiring long-term support.
Build AI-powered 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 and replication. AKS is a managed service that automates provisioning, upgrading, on-demand scaling, and other Kubernetes management tasks.
- Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a fully managed Kubernetes service that simplifies cluster management and reduces operational overhead. It offers automatic scaling 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.
- AKS offers the quickest way to start developing and deploying cloud-native and AI-powered 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 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.
- 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 Datacenter and Windows Server 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 at you edge locations.
- 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.
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- [1]
Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Container Management, Dennis Smith, Wataru Katsurashima, Tony Iams, Lucas Albuquerque, Michael Warrilow, Stephanie Bauman, 6 August 2025.
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