Google Kubernetes Engine vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] comparison

Google and Nutanix are both solutions in the Container Management category. Additionally, 95% of Google users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Nutanix users who would recommend it.

Google Kubernetes Engine

Read 40 Google Kubernetes Engine reviews

1,526 Views
1,114 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine N...

Read 14 Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] reviews

100% willing to recommend

Google Kubernetes Engine

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine N...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 1, 2025

Google Kubernetes Engine and Nutanix Kubernetes Engine compete in the Kubernetes space. Google Kubernetes Engine seems to have an edge in pricing and support, while Nutanix is noted for its robust features.

Features: Google Kubernetes Engine is known for seamless deployment with managed autoscaling, instant scaling, and integration within Google Cloud. It also provides detailed monitoring and a managed backup service. Nutanix Kubernetes Engine offers simplicity in cluster creation, easy on-premises deployment, and integration with storage and hypervisor virtualization features.

Room for Improvement: Google Kubernetes Engine's security and monitoring features need enhancement, and its documentation could be clearer regarding configuration and backup. Nutanix Kubernetes Engine should improve its user interface and expand features such as auto-scaling and disaster recovery capabilities, along with better third-party integration.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Google Kubernetes Engine supports Public, Hybrid, and Private Cloud deployments, offering flexibility with varying levels of customer support. Nutanix Kubernetes Engine, focusing on on-premises deployment, is easier for organizations already using Nutanix infrastructure, with robust tech support for these setups.

Pricing and ROI: Google Kubernetes Engine's pricing varies with usage and redundancy needs, making it potentially costly for smaller enterprises, though it provides positive ROI through operational efficiency. Nutanix offers cost-effectiveness for existing users without extra licensing costs and structured pricing tiers that provide financial flexibility.

To learn more, read our detailed Container Management Report (Updated: January 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Container Management

January 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 881,733 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Google Kubernetes Engine

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Container Management (9th)

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine N...

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Parthasarathy T

Cloud Associate DevOps at Publicis Sapient

Managed solutions enable efficient handling of web applications and migration projects

Google Kubernetes Engine can be improved by enabling the in-place upgrade of the machine type of an existing node pool since I currently need to destroy and recreate it. There is no feature present where I can upgrade directly, and having more than 1,000 to 2,000 workloads in one node pool makes changing the node pool name difficult for all those workloads. I choose eight out of ten mainly because of the node pool upgrade challenge I mentioned, but also because of the existence of Anthos service mesh, which is the ingress controller available only for the enterprise Kubernetes Engine. It would be beneficial if it could be offered in the normal Kubernetes Engine with any limitations.

Read full review

reviewer2741271

Nutanix Administrator at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

Has provided seamless upgrade experiences and robust technical support

I have heard there are many features added in NKP that are not available in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE, such as load balancer features. The unified control plane feature is not being used in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE. We are currently using a third-party tool for load balancing, but going forward, NKP will include load balancer, ingress, and egress features, making infrastructure management much easier. There is no auto-scaling feature in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE; however, NKP offers it. In NKE, we created additional worker nodes and increased CPU and RAM capacity, but it required manual intervention. Concerning policy-driven governance in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE, we have the ability to implement RBAC at the cluster level, which helps maintain security by not granting full admin privileges to every end user, thus restricting access effectively.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The solution simplified deployment, making it more automated. Previously, Docker required manual configuration, often done by developers on their computers. However, with Google Kubernetes Engine, automation extends to configuration, deployment, scalability, and viability, primarily originating from Docker rather than Kubernetes. Its most valuable feature is the ease of configuration."

"The feature that I like the most is the ease of use as compared to AWS. Its ease of use is very high, and I can quickly deploy clusters with a simple template."

"We hardly have a breakdown. It's been very stable."

"I rate Google Kubernetes Engine a ten out of ten."

"I highly recommend it to others due to its comprehensive features and cost-effectiveness for various company sizes."

"We appreciate that it is quite easy to set up a Kubernetes cluster in Google Cloud, using the managed services within this solution."

"The initial setup was very easy because it's like a Google platform as a service. It's just one button to set it up. The deployment took only a few minutes."

"The features are typical Kubernetes, but Google One offers a better GUI-based deployment. It's more sophisticated and integrates well with other services, providing a better customer experience."

More Google Kubernetes Engine pros

"The platform is valuable due to its ease of use and quick deployment capabilities."

"My experience with Nutanix's technical support is excellent."

"The product integrates well with our infrastructure."

"We can add some add-ons and plugins to the product if we need to."

"Nutanix's support is really good."

"The solution provides no downtime features. If we face issues, we create a new port, deploy it there, and then drop the existing one. This way, we avoid NKE downtime on our website."

"The solution is embedded in the hypervisor and there are no deployment costs."

"Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

More Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] pros

Cons

"An area in which Google Kubernetes Engine could improve is configuration."

"The monitoring part requires some serious improvements in Google Kubernetes Engine, as it does not have very good monitoring consoles."

"While the GKE cluster is secure, application-level security is an essential aspect that needs to be addressed. The security provided by GKE includes the security of communication between nodes within the cluster and the basic features of Kubernetes security. However, these features may not be sufficient for the security needs of an enterprise. Additional security measures must be added to ensure adequate protection. It has become a common practice to deploy security tools within a Kubernetes cluster. It would be ideal if these tools were included as part of the package, as this is a standard requirement in the industry. Thus, application-level security should be integrated into GKE for improved security measures."

"There is room for improvement in this solution. For example, auto-scaling can be complex. We expect it to be easier to set up and manage, even for our customers."

"The tool's configuration features need improvement."

"t is not very stable."

"I think that security is an important point, and there should be additional features for the evaluation of data in containers that will create a more secure environment for usage in multi-parent models."

"The product’s visible allocation feature needs improvement."

More Google Kubernetes Engine cons

"We need a backup of production clusters."

"Areas for improvement in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine (NKE) include upgrading management capabilities and enhancing the user interface for improved usability."

"There is no auto-scaling feature in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE; however, NKP offers it. In NKE, we created additional worker nodes and increased CPU and RAM capacity, but it required manual intervention."

"Nutanix has limitations compared to VMware, particularly in testing and industry tie-ups with different OEMs. Deploying virtual machines, especially for industrial automation, can be challenging due to compatibility issues."

"GUI lacks sufficient information to help with understanding the installation and process."

"I have issues with the product's interoperability."

"I would like to have more nodes for availability and storage."

"One major issue we faced was that appliances couldn't migrate from VMware to the tool. However, this seems to be a common problem across platforms. We've seen the same issue when migrating from VMware to RHV or other solutions. It's not specifically a Nutanix problem but rather an issue migrating appliances from one VM infrastructure to another. Some kernel-level and storage-level issues impact this process."

More Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is a little bit expensive."

"I would rate the solution's pricing a nine out of ten. The tool costs around 3000 dollars per month. There are no additional costs apart from these."

"It is competitive, and it is not expensive. It is almost competitive with AWS and the rest of the cloud solutions. We are spending around 3K USD per month. There are four projects that are currently running, and each one is incurring a cost of around 3K USD."

"I would rate Kubernetes' pricing four out of five."

"Currently, it costs around $1000 per month which sorted our deployment. So once we get more clients, having a huge suffix, costs can go up."

"The tool's licensing costs are yearly."

"Initially, Google Kubernetes Engine was a little bit cheaper, but now its prices have been increased compared to the pricing model and the features that are made available by its competitors."

"The solution's price is reasonable."

More Google Kubernetes Engine pricing and cost advice

"I rate the product price a five on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

"While deploying Kubernetes clusters on Nutanix is cost-effective, there may be additional costs for remote branch offices where Kubernetes is less common."

"The product's licenses are included in the software version deployed in our data center."

"The platform is averagely priced. I rate the pricing as four out of ten."

"I rate NKE's pricing a six out of ten."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Container Management solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

24%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

10%

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	21
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	16

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Google Kubernetes Engine?

The product has no downtime.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Kubernetes Engine?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Google Kubernetes Engine is straightforward, as I previously indicated. The need for humans is reduced with GCP since there is no need for ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Kubernetes Engine?

The price could be a bit cheaper. I don't see anything with Google Kubernetes Engine that needs to be improved. I think they are already implementing Kubernetes itself, so they are the owners. Howe...

See all answers

What do you like most about Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE?

The most valuable features of the Nutanix Kubernetes Engine (NKE) are its simplicity and efficiency during the initial cluster creation phase.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE?

In terms of features, I cannot comment technically, but the real value is the consolidated out-of-the-box solution that Nutanix offers. Nutanix has built great branding and a lot of credibility and...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE?

I have experience with OpenShift, Kubernetes, and Nutanix, as we are one of the largest Nutanix resellers in the Middle East. We handle Kubernetes on the cloud as well, so we manage most of the Kub...

See all answers

Comparisons

Kubernetes vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Compared 13% of the time

Docker vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Compared 11% of the time

Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Compared 11% of the time

VMware Tanzu Platform vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Compared 11% of the time

Illumio vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Compared 10% of the time

More Google Kubernetes Engine Competitors

Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

Compared 25% of the time

Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

Compared 18% of the time

VMware Tanzu Platform vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

Compared 14% of the time

Kubernetes vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

Compared 9% of the time

Dynatrace vs Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

Compared 2% of the time

More Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Google Kubernetes Engine

January 2026

Download Google Kubernetes Engine product report

Buyer's Guide

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]

January 2026

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] report

Download Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] product report

Also Known As

GKE

Nutanix Karbon

Overview

Kubernetes Engine is a managed, production-ready environment for deploying containerized applications. It brings our latest innovations in developer productivity, resource efficiency, automated operations, and open source flexibility to accelerate your time to market.

Google

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] offers easy deployment, efficient resource management, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure, supporting virtualization and configurable RBAC.

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] simplifies Kubernetes cluster deployment and management, offering robust features such as health checks and seamless upgrades. It integrates with existing systems, supports virtualization, and provides a unified console. Automatic load management and scalability contribute to its stability. Though migrating via VMware poses challenges and documentation updates are needed, potential enhancements include dynamic resource scaling, advanced backup options, and improved disaster recovery. NKE is ideal for microservices, container management, and application modernization, playing a vital role in DevOps settings.

What are the key features of Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]?

Easy Deployment: Simplifies cluster setup and management for quick ramp-up.
Resource Allocation: Efficiently allocates computing resources for optimized operations.
Seamless Upgrades: Handles updates without causing downtime.
Integration: Works with existing infrastructure, allowing virtualization support.
Console Management: Offers a single interface for robust management features.

What benefits should users look for in Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL]?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides a reliable Kubernetes platform with reduced operational costs.
Scalability: Ensures stability and growth alongside increasing demands.
Support Features: Includes robust technical support for a seamless experience.
Efficiency: Enhances workload management in DevOps environments.
Configurable Options: Allows tailored RBAC and scalable virtualization benefits.

Nutanix Kubernetes Engine NKE [EOL] is deployed in industries focusing on microservices and application modernization, serving development to testing environments. It integrates with hardware and API tools, supporting DevOps workloads and infrastructure management. Primarily used on-premises, it supports large-scale application deployment leveraging network capabilities.

Nutanix

Sample Customers

Philips Lighting, Alpha Vertex, GroupBy, BQ

JetBlue, International Speedway Corporation, SAIC Volkswagen

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes and others in Container Management. Updated: January 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our list of best Container Management vendors.

We monitor all Container Management reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.