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Cloud · head to head

kind vs Scaleway

kind logo

kind

Cloud

Run Kubernetes clusters inside Docker containers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Scaleway logo

Scaleway

Cloud

European cloud for developers

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; Scaleway no free tier or trial period mentioned on homepage
  • They diverge on capability: kind covers Nodes as containers, Scaleway covers Virtual Instances.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which kind and Scaleway actually diverge.

Attributes where kind and Scaleway differ
AttributekindScaleway
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeusage-based
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Api, Cli
FoundedUnknown1999

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

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 Scaleway

  • Virtual Instances
  • Bare Metal
  • Kubernetes Kapsule
  • Object Storage
  • Serverless Functions
  • Managed Databases
  • Container Registry
  • Load Balancer

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 Scaleway
  • Testing controllers and operators against several Kubernetes versionsnot Scaleway
  • Local multi-node clusters without the memory cost of virtual machinesnot Scaleway

Scaleway

  • Web hostingnot kind
  • Container orchestrationnot kind
  • Development environmentsnot kind
  • Data storagenot 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

Scaleway

  • No free tier or trial period mentioned on homepage
  • Specific pricing requires navigating to individual product category pages
  • Base pricing starts at 4.99 EUR per month but varies significantly by service type

Pricing, plan by plan

kind

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

Scaleway

Free
  • DEV1-S$7.99/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 2GB RAM
    • 20GB SSD

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 Scaleway if

  • You need virtual instances.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want bare metal.
Scaleway review

Questions people ask

Is kind or Scaleway better?
Neither clearly leads. kind starts at Free and Scaleway at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, kind or Scaleway?
kind starts at Free and Scaleway at Free.
Does kind or Scaleway run on more platforms?
kind runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Scaleway runs on Web, Api, Cli.
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 Scaleway is typically brought in for.
What can kind do that Scaleway cannot?
kind covers Nodes as containers, Multi-node topologies, CI-friendly, Local image loading. Scaleway covers Virtual Instances, Bare Metal, Kubernetes Kapsule, Object Storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

kind: Is kind free?

Yes, open source and maintained under Kubernetes SIGs.

Scaleway: Does Scaleway have a free tier?

Scaleway does not mention a free tier or trial period on its pricing or homepage. Users must select specific services to see rates.

Source
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.

Scaleway: What is Scaleway's pricing model?

Scaleway uses transparent, usage-based pricing that varies by service. Different categories (bare metal, compute, AI, storage, network) have separate pricing. Dedibox servers start at 4.99 EUR per month.

Source
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.

Scaleway: How does Scaleway billing work?

Scaleway emphasizes transparent, predictable billing where customers know exactly what they'll pay. Users must select products and view pricing within each category.

Source
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