head to head · open source
kubernetes vs OpenMeter
kubernetes has 128,645 GitHub stars, 45,747 forks, 3,072 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. OpenMeter has 2,432 stars, 236 forks, 69 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. kubernetes leads on adoption by 5,190% (128,645 vs 2,432 stars). kubernetes is written in Go under Apache-2.0; OpenMeter is written in Go under Apache-2.0. kubernetes has attracted 36% as many forks as stars, OpenMeter 10%. kubernetes was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee.
Two open source projects, one decision. Both are free and self-hostable — the differences are community size, license terms, language stack and release pace.
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Side by side
| kubernetes | OpenMeter | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 129K | ★ 2.4K |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Written in | Go | Go |
| Last push | 2026-11-03 | 2026-11-03 |
| Forks | ⑂ 46K | ⑂ 236 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick kubernetes if
- You weight community size — 129K stars and counting
- You want the Apache-2.0 license terms
- Your stack matches Go
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick OpenMeter if
- You want the OpenMeter feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the Apache-2.0 license terms
- Your stack matches Go
- You evaluated both and OpenMeter fits your workflow better
About kubernetes
Kubernetes (K8s) Kubernetes, also known as K8s, is an open source system for managing [containerized applications] across multiple hosts. It provides basic mechanisms for the deployment, maintenance, and scaling of applications. Kubernetes builds upon a decade and a half of experience at Google running production workloads at scale using a system called [Borg], combined with best of breed ideas and practices from the community. Kubernetes is hosted by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation ([CNCF]). If your company wants to help shape the evolution of technologies that are container packaged, dynamically…
read the full kubernetes overview →
About OpenMeter
OpenMeter Meter usage. Enforce access. Bill customers. Keep the stack yours. OpenMeter is open source monetization infrastructure built for AI, API, and usage based products. It turns high volume events into real time usage, powers access enforcement, and handles usage based billing from pricing and subscriptions through credits and invoices. API first and composable, it can own the path from raw usage to invoice—or only the parts your stack is missing—and work with the payment and tax providers you already use. Quickstart · Documentation · API reference · Community How it fits together Is OpenMeter a fit? What…
read the full OpenMeter overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is kubernetes or OpenMeter more popular?
kubernetes has 128,645 GitHub stars and OpenMeter has 2,432. kubernetes has the larger community by that measure.
Are kubernetes and OpenMeter free?
Both are open source. kubernetes is licensed under Apache-2.0 and OpenMeter under Apache-2.0. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between kubernetes and OpenMeter?
kubernetes is written in Go and OpenMeter in Go. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, kubernetes or OpenMeter?
Choose kubernetes if you want the larger community (128,645 stars) or its Apache-2.0 licence terms. Choose OpenMeter if its feature set, stack or Apache-2.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.