Why Kubernetes?

Why teams choose Kubernetes as the foundation

Kubernetes is not just about containers. It gives growing teams a more durable way to run applications with better consistency, clearer scaling, and more freedom in how infrastructure evolves.

Built on an industry standard

Kubernetes is a widely adopted foundation for modern application infrastructure, which makes it a safer long-term choice than relying on a narrower proprietary hosting model.

Access a broad ecosystem of integrations

Because Kubernetes is so widely used, it works well with a large ecosystem of tools for ingress, databases, observability, security, automation, and other infrastructure needs.

Keep environments more consistent

Run the same application model across development, staging, and production to reduce configuration drift and lower the risk of release-time surprises.

Improve resilience for real applications

Kubernetes is designed to keep workloads running, replace failed containers, and make rolling updates safer for customer-facing apps and long-running services.

Avoid getting trapped in one provider model

Because Kubernetes is a widely adopted standard, it gives your team more portability across managed clouds, self-hosted servers, and future infrastructure decisions.

Scale without rebuilding your hosting model

Kubernetes gives you a cleaner path from smaller environments to larger production workloads, so you can grow traffic, services, and team usage without replatforming later.

Option 1

Managed Kubernetes

Connect a supported cloud provider account and let Wodby create and manage the Kubernetes cluster setup for you.

This is the strongest default when you want infrastructure in your own cloud account, cleaner upgrade paths, and a production setup that scales better than a single-server approach.

  • Best fit for production workloads and team ownership.
  • Wodby handles the cluster setup and platform infrastructure.
  • Pairs well with configurable stacks, CI/CD, and repeatable environments.

Supported managed providers

Pick the provider you already use or want to standardize on. Wodby provisions the Kubernetes layer so you can move straight to deploying stacks.

Option 2

K3s on a dedicated server or VM

Use K3s when you want a cheaper self-hosted Kubernetes path while keeping the same Wodby workflow and stack model.

Wodby installs K3s and the required platform infrastructure on your server, which makes this a practical option for smaller projects, agency portfolios, and cost-sensitive deployments.

  • Best fit when infrastructure cost matters more than managed control planes.
  • Works on dedicated servers, bare metal, or virtual machines.
  • Good starting point if you want to host many apps on one server.

Need the tradeoff? Read our guide on K3s vs managed Kubernetes.

Common K3s starting points

If you want a proven budget-friendly route, start with Hetzner. Other providers work as well when you already have a preferred server vendor.

Option 3

Wodby Cloud

Choose Wodby Cloud when you want the simplest Kubernetes path and do not want to set up a separate provider account before you start.

Wodby Cloud keeps the cluster on Wodby-managed infrastructure and charges based on Compute Credits, which keeps this option easy to start with for teams that care more about application delivery than owning the cluster in their own account.

No provider setup

Start without opening and wiring a separate cloud account.

Fastest path

Wodby handles the cluster layer so your team can focus on stacks and apps instead of running a separate cluster in your own account.

Usage-based pricing

Pay with Compute Credits for the resources you actually use.

Wodby Cloud is the best fit when you want the Kubernetes workflow and managed stacks, but do not want to keep the cluster in your own cloud account or on your own server. See Wodby Cloud and Compute Credits pricing.

Start with the Kubernetes path that fits your team

Managed Kubernetes for cloud ownership, K3s for lower-cost self-hosting, or Wodby Cloud for the simplest managed start.