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k3d vs minikube: catalog facts
k3d	minikube
Free Free and open source, supported by sponsorships.	Free The open-source application is available without a license fee.
Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux
Creates single- and multi-node Kubernetes clusters in seconds Runs entirely inside Docker	Local clusters with common Kubernetes features
Requires Docker and kubectl Aimed at development rather than production clusters	Requires enough local resources and a supported runtime or driver.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: Apache-2.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

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