EKS vs AKS vs GKE #
Amazon EKS, Azure AKS, and Google GKE all run managed Kubernetes, but their operational models differ across identity, networking, add-ons, observability, and ecosystem fit.
Start before comparing clouds: If your team is still learning cluster operations, complete the Kubernetes Deep Dive: Minikube to AKS/EKS before making a managed-service decision.
Quick comparison #
| Area | EKS | AKS | GKE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | AWS-native platforms and broad service integration | Microsoft identity, policy, and enterprise governance | Kubernetes-first teams and Google Cloud managed operations |
| Workload identity | IAM Roles for Service Accounts and related AWS identity patterns | Microsoft Entra Workload ID and managed identities | Workload Identity Federation |
| Networking focus | VPC-native design, AWS load balancers, security groups, CNI planning | Azure CNI options, Azure load balancers, policy integration | VPC-native clusters, strong managed networking defaults |
| Operations | Deep AWS ecosystem, explicit add-on and node lifecycle choices | Strong integration with Azure Monitor, Policy, and landing zones | Mature managed cluster operations and Autopilot option |
Choose EKS when #
- Your workloads already depend heavily on AWS services.
- Your platform standard is multi-account AWS governance.
- You need tight IAM integration and AWS-native networking controls.
Choose AKS when #
- Your organization standardizes on Microsoft Entra ID and Azure Policy.
- Your landing zone model is built around Azure subscriptions and management groups.
- You want close integration with Azure DevOps, GitHub, Azure Monitor, and Key Vault.
Choose GKE when #
- Kubernetes is central to your platform strategy.
- You value managed operations options and Google Cloud-native observability.
- Your workloads benefit from Google Cloud data, analytics, or AI services nearby.
Decision questions #
- Which cloud already hosts your databases, identity controls, and core dependencies?
- Which provider’s IAM model can your team operate safely?
- How much node, add-on, and networking lifecycle management do you want to own?
- Which observability and security tooling is already standardized?
- What regional availability, quota, and cost constraints affect production workloads?