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Developer Tools · head to head

Okteto vs Subframe

Okteto logo

Okteto

Developer Tools

Runs production-like development environments on your own Kubernetes cluster

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit OktetoFull review
Subframe logo

Subframe

Design

The AI-native design tool built for code

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit SubframeFull review

The short version

  • Okteto is free; Subframe starts at $29/mo.
  • Where Subframe falls short: free plan limited to 1 project and 10 pages.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Okteto and Subframe actually diverge.

Attributes where Okteto and Subframe differ
AttributeOktetoSubframe
Pricing modelQuoteFreemium
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, API, Self-hosted, WebWeb
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDesign

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

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 Okteto

  • Cluster development environments
  • File synchronisation
  • Development containers
  • Environment catalogue
  • Preview environments
  • Bring your own cloud

Only in Subframe

Nothing recorded that Okteto does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Okteto

  • A microservices estate where no developer can run the full dependency graph on a laptopnot Subframe
  • Giving each pull request a working environment reviewers can click rather than describenot Subframe
  • Letting coding agents build and test against real databases and queues instead of mocksnot Subframe
  • Removing a fleet of local Kubernetes installations that drift from production and produce false test resultsnot Subframe

Subframe

  • Creating production-ready interfaces without static mockupsnot Okteto
  • Syncing design components with code as single source of truthnot Okteto
  • Building responsive designs with auto layoutnot Okteto
  • Real-time multiplayer collaboration with layer commentingnot Okteto
  • Exporting Radix UI and Tailwind CSS code via CLInot Okteto

Where each one falls short

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

Okteto

  • Two of the three plans publish no price at all, with no currency and no billing period stated anywhere, so any budget above five seats requires a sales conversation before you can even compare it with an alternative
  • The Apache-2.0 CLI is restricted to the development section of the manifest, so build services, user management and observability all require the commercial platform and the open licence provides very little continuity insurance
  • The last disclosed funding round is a 15 million US dollar Series A from February 2022 with nothing announced since, and the contributor base is dominated by company employees, which is concentrated risk for something embedded in every developer daily loop
  • You must bring and pay for the Kubernetes cluster, so node cost, capacity planning and version upgrades stay with your platform team on top of the licence fee
  • The 2026 repositioning towards AI agents means the classic developer inner loop is no longer what the marketing leads with, so a buyer purchasing that use case should confirm roadmap commitment rather than assume it

Subframe

  • Free plan limited to 1 project and 10 pages
  • Free plan includes limited AI features compared to Pro
  • Pro plan billed per editor, not per team

Pricing, plan by plan

Okteto

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 5 seats included
    • Self-hosted deployment into your own cluster
    • Community support
  • ScaleOn request
    • Contact sales, no price, currency or billing period published
    • More seats and environments than Starter
    • Self-hosted deployment
  • EnterpriseOn request
    • Contact sales, no price published
    • Bring your own cloud deployment
    • Available through Google Cloud and AWS marketplaces

Subframe

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 project
    • Up to 10 pages
    • 2 prototypes
  • Pro$29/mo
    • Unlimited projects
    • Unlimited pages
    • Unlimited prototypes

Which should you pick?

Choose Okteto if

  • You need cluster development environments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, API, Self-hosted, Web.
  • You also want file synchronisation.
Okteto review

Choose Subframe if

  • You want to start without paying.
Subframe review

Questions people ask

Is Okteto or Subframe better?
Neither clearly leads. Okteto starts at Free and Subframe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Okteto or Subframe?
Okteto starts at Free and Subframe at Free.
Does Okteto or Subframe run on more platforms?
Okteto runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, API, Self-hosted, Web. Subframe runs on Web.
Can I use Okteto for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Okteto best used for?
Okteto is most often used for a microservices estate where no developer can run the full dependency graph on a laptop, giving each pull request a working environment reviewers can click rather than describe, letting coding agents build and test against real databases and queues instead of mocks, removing a fleet of local kubernetes installations that drift from production and produce false test results. Of those, a microservices estate where no developer can run the full dependency graph on a laptop and giving each pull request a working environment reviewers can click rather than describe are not what Subframe is typically brought in for.
What can Okteto do that Subframe cannot?
Okteto covers Cluster development environments, File synchronisation, Development containers, Environment catalogue.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Okteto: Is Okteto open source?

The CLI is Apache-2.0, but the README states it supports only the development section of the manifest. Everything operationally interesting, including builds, user management and observability, is in the commercial platform.

Subframe: Is there a free version of Subframe?

Yes, Subframe offers a free plan with 1 project, up to 10 pages, 2 prototypes, unlimited team members, and limited AI features.

Source
Okteto: What does it cost?

Only the free Starter tier with five seats is published. Scale and Enterprise are both contact sales, with no price, currency or billing period disclosed on the pricing page.

Subframe: How is the Pro plan priced?

Subframe Pro costs $29 per editor per month, with unlimited projects, pages, prototypes, and AI usage.

Source
Okteto: Do I need my own Kubernetes cluster?

Yes. Okteto installs into a cluster you provide and pay for, so capacity, upgrades and node costs remain your responsibility in addition to the licence.

Subframe: Are viewer seats free?

Yes, Subframe offers free viewer seats across all pricing plans, allowing team members to view without an editor license.

Source
Okteto: How is this different from running Kubernetes locally?

Environments run against the same managed databases, queues and service mesh as production, so a class of failures that only appears in a real cluster is caught before merge rather than after deploy.

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