Fleet (by Rancher)
GitOps at scale for Kubernetes.
Overview
Fleet is an open-source project, integrated into Rancher, that helps manage applications and configurations across multiple Kubernetes clusters using a GitOps approach. It allows you to define the desired state of your clusters—including applications, manifests, and Helm charts—in a Git repository. Fleet then ensures that all managed clusters conform to that state.
✨ Key Features
- GitOps at Scale
- Manages applications and raw Kubernetes YAML/JSON
- Helm Chart support
- Cluster Grouping and Targeting
- Can manage up to a million clusters
- Integrated into Rancher but can be used standalone
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Designed for massive scale (up to a million clusters)
- Simpler, more opinionated approach compared to Argo CD or Flux
- Tight integration with the Rancher management platform
Unique Value: Provides a simple and massively scalable way to apply GitOps principles to a fleet of Kubernetes clusters.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Large-scale edge cluster configuration management
- GitOps for multi-cluster applications
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Users who prefer a UI-driven approach over Git-based workflows
- Needs that go beyond configuration management to full cluster provisioning
🏆 Alternatives
While Argo CD and Flux are more flexible and feature-rich for single-cluster or complex application delivery, Fleet excels at managing configuration across a very large number of clusters with a simpler model.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Fully open source and free.
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