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AKS desktop vs Lens: catalog facts
AKS desktop	Lens
Free The app is free and open source; the AKS clusters it manages are billed by Azure.	Freemium Free to download, with paid plans and sales contact for organizations.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Guided deployment flows built on supported AKS features Based on the open-source Headlamp dashboard	Browse and operate Kubernetes clusters from one desktop workspace Runs AI coding agents inside the app with full cluster context
Only useful with Azure Kubernetes Service Requires an Azure account and AKS cluster	Proprietary software, not open source Company focus is shifting toward its enterprise AI agents product
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: Apache-2.0	License not stated
Account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.