Softwr

Cloud · head to head

kind vs Portworx Backup

kind logo

kind

Cloud

Run Kubernetes clusters inside Docker containers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Portworx Backup logo

Portworx Backup

Backup

Kubernetes application backup with a free tier up to one terabyte

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: kind requires Docker or Podman, so it inherits whatever container runtime limitations exist on the host; Portworx Backup the paid tier carries a 1,000 node hour monthly minimum, so a cluster that only needs occasional protection still pays a floor.
  • They diverge on capability: kind covers Nodes as containers, Portworx Backup covers Application-level backup.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which kind and Portworx Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where kind and Portworx Backup differ
AttributekindPortworx Backup
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feePer node hour
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Linux
CategoryCloudBackup

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in kind

  • Nodes as containers
  • Multi-node topologies
  • CI-friendly
  • Local image loading

Only in Portworx Backup

  • Application-level backup
  • Any CSI provider
  • Cross-cluster restore
  • Namespace and label selection
  • Scheduled policies
  • Role-based access
  • Free tier

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

kind

  • Spinning up and destroying a Kubernetes cluster inside a CI jobnot Portworx Backup
  • Testing controllers and operators against several Kubernetes versionsnot Portworx Backup
  • Local multi-node clusters without the memory cost of virtual machinesnot Portworx Backup

Portworx Backup

  • A platform team running Velero that needs an accountable vendor for restore failuresnot kind
  • Protecting Kubernetes applications across EKS, GKE and on premises clusters under one policy setnot kind
  • Restoring a namespace into a different cloud provider as a disaster recovery testnot kind
  • A small team that wants real Kubernetes backup within the free one terabyte tier before committing budgetnot kind

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

kind

  • Requires Docker or Podman, so it inherits whatever container runtime limitations exist on the host
  • Fewer conveniences than minikube: no addon system, so ingress and metrics need manual installation
  • Because nodes are containers sharing the host kernel, it is a weaker simulation of real node behaviour and storage

Portworx Backup

  • The paid tier carries a 1,000 node hour monthly minimum, so a cluster that only needs occasional protection still pays a floor.
  • It is licensed separately from Portworx Enterprise, so organisations that assumed storage and backup came together find a second subscription in the quote.
  • The free tier caps at one terabyte of protected data, which is quickly exceeded by any database of consequence and forces a jump straight to the minimum commitment.
  • Backup targets are object stores you provide, so restore egress charges from your cloud provider are outside the vendor price and appear during a recovery rather than in procurement.
  • Application-consistent backup of databases still depends on correct pre and post hooks, so the product does not remove the requirement to understand and rehearse your own restore ordering.

Pricing, plan by plan

kind

Free
  • kindFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Portworx Backup

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to one terabyte of protected data
    • No feature restrictions
    • Fully managed service
  • Portworx Backup$0.2/node hour
    • Minimum 1,000 node hours per month
    • Unlimited protected capacity
    • Any Container Storage Interface provider

Which should you pick?

Choose kind if

  • You need nodes as containers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want multi-node topologies.
kind review

Choose Portworx Backup if

  • You need application-level backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux.
  • You also want any csi provider.
Portworx Backup review

Questions people ask

Is kind or Portworx Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. kind starts at Free and Portworx Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, kind or Portworx Backup?
kind starts at Free and Portworx Backup at Free.
Does kind or Portworx Backup run on more platforms?
kind runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Portworx Backup runs on Web, Linux.
Can I use kind for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is kind best used for?
kind is most often used for spinning up and destroying a kubernetes cluster inside a ci job, testing controllers and operators against several kubernetes versions, local multi-node clusters without the memory cost of virtual machines. Of those, spinning up and destroying a kubernetes cluster inside a ci job and testing controllers and operators against several kubernetes versions are not what Portworx Backup is typically brought in for.
What can kind do that Portworx Backup cannot?
kind covers Nodes as containers, Multi-node topologies, CI-friendly, Local image loading. Portworx Backup covers Application-level backup, Any CSI provider, Cross-cluster restore, Namespace and label selection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

kind: Is kind free?

Yes, open source and maintained under Kubernetes SIGs.

Portworx Backup: Is the free tier real?

Yes, up to one terabyte of protected data with no feature restrictions as a managed service. It is a usable production tier for small footprints, not a trial.

kind: Why run Kubernetes nodes as containers?

Speed and cost. A container node starts in seconds and uses far less memory than a virtual machine, which is what makes per-CI-run clusters realistic.

Portworx Backup: Does it only protect Portworx volumes?

No. It works across Container Storage Interface providers, including cloud provider storage and other vendors' drivers.

kind: Is kind suitable for production?

No. It is a development and testing tool, and node isolation is weaker than real nodes because containers share the host kernel.

Portworx Backup: Is it included with Portworx Enterprise?

No. It is a separate licence at 0.20 USD per node hour with its own minimum.

Share

Related pages

More on kind

More on Portworx Backup

Keep looking

Other head to heads