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Networking · head to head

Traefik vs Zipkin

Traefik logo

Traefik

Networking

Modern cloud-native edge router and API gateway

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zipkin logo

Zipkin

Cloud

Distributed tracing system for microservice latency

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Traefik no transparent pricing displayed for Traefik Hub API Gateway or API Management products; Zipkin less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • They diverge on capability: Traefik covers API Gateway, Zipkin covers Trace collection and search.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Traefik and Zipkin actually diverge.

Attributes where Traefik and Zipkin differ
AttributeTraefikZipkin
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsKubernetes, Docker, CloudLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryNetworkingCloud
Founded2015Unknown

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 Traefik

  • API Gateway
  • Load Balancing
  • SSL/TLS Termination
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Consul
  • etcd
  • Linux support

Only in Zipkin

  • Trace collection and search
  • Dependency diagram
  • Simple deployment
  • Pluggable storage

What people use each for

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

Traefik

  • API gateway for microservices architecturenot Zipkin
  • Kubernetes ingress controllernot Zipkin
  • Container and VM traffic routingnot Zipkin
  • Cloud-native application managementnot Zipkin

Zipkin

  • Adding distributed tracing quickly without standing up heavy infrastructurenot Traefik
  • Java and Spring Boot estates, where instrumentation support is long-establishednot Traefik
  • Small deployments where Jaeger is more than the problem requiresnot Traefik

Where each one falls short

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

Traefik

  • No transparent pricing displayed for Traefik Hub API Gateway or API Management products
  • No subscription period specified for paid tiers
  • Traefik Hub products require contacting sales for pricing

Zipkin

  • Less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • Fewer features: sampling, storage options and UI are all more limited
  • The interface is dated and slower to work with on large trace volumes
  • Tracing alone still leaves metrics and logs in separate tools during an incident

Pricing, plan by plan

Traefik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Traefik review.

Zipkin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Traefik if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
  • You also want load balancing.
Traefik review

Choose Zipkin if

  • You need trace collection and search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want dependency diagram.
Zipkin review

Questions people ask

Is Traefik or Zipkin better?
Neither clearly leads. Traefik starts at Free and Zipkin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Traefik or Zipkin?
Traefik starts at Free and Zipkin at Free.
Does Traefik or Zipkin run on more platforms?
Traefik runs on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud. Zipkin runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Traefik for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Traefik best used for?
Traefik is most often used for api gateway for microservices architecture, kubernetes ingress controller, container and vm traffic routing, cloud-native application management. Of those, api gateway for microservices architecture and kubernetes ingress controller are not what Zipkin is typically brought in for.
What can Traefik do that Zipkin cannot?
Traefik covers API Gateway, Load Balancing, SSL/TLS Termination, Kubernetes. Zipkin covers Trace collection and search, Dependency diagram, Simple deployment, Pluggable storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Traefik: Is Traefik Proxy free to use?

Yes, Traefik Proxy is completely free and open source. You can download and use it at no cost.

Source
Zipkin: Is Zipkin free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

Traefik: What pricing model does Traefik use for its paid products?

Traefik Hub products (API Gateway and API Management) use quote-based pricing. Specific rates are not published on the pricing page; you must contact sales to request pricing.

Source
Zipkin: Zipkin or Jaeger?

Jaeger has more momentum, more features and CNCF backing. Zipkin is lighter and quicker to stand up, and remains well supported in the Java and Spring ecosystem.

Zipkin: Does Zipkin work with OpenTelemetry?

Yes. OpenTelemetry can export to Zipkin, which is now the usual way to instrument for it.

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