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

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