Open-source eBPF-based platform providing networking, security, and observability for Kubernetes and cloud native environments.
The Cilium software provides networking, security, and observability for cloud native environments on an eBPF-based data plane, including a flat Layer 3 network across multiple clusters, kube-proxy replacement, advanced load balancing, BGP support, an egress gateway, transparent encryption, and identity-based network policy. Its sidecar-free service mesh integrates mesh functionality in the kernel with optional Istio and Envoy control planes.
Cilium comprises an agent, a client CLI, an operator, and a CNI plugin, and it serves as the container network interface in managed Kubernetes offerings including Google GKE Dataplane V2, Amazon EKS Anywhere, and Azure CNI powered by Cilium. Hubble observability and Tetragon runtime security are related sub-projects.
| Attribute | Cilium — eBPF-Based Networking, Security, and Observability | Antrea | Calico Open Source | Linkerd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider |  |  |  |  | |
| Founded | 2015 | 1961 | 2016 | 2015 | |
| Sells To | Developers, Enterprise | Enterprise | Enterprise | Enterprise | |
| Pricing Model | Open Source | Recurring, Transactional | Recurring, Software | Recurring, Software | |
| Ownership | — | Public | Venture-backed | Private equity-backed, Venture-backed |
Provider
Founded 2015
Sells To Developers, Enterprise
Pricing Model Open Source
Ownership —
Provider
Founded 1961
Sells To Enterprise
Pricing Model Recurring, Transactional
Ownership Public
Provider
Founded 2016
Sells To Enterprise
Pricing Model Recurring, Software
Ownership Venture-backed
Provider
Founded 2015
Sells To Enterprise
Pricing Model Recurring, Software
Ownership Private equity-backed, Venture-backed
Kubernetes Networking provides Kubernetes networking with the Tailscale Operator.
Microsoft container network interface plug-in that assigns Azure Virtual Network IP addresses to Kubernetes pods.
Kubernetes Networking provides Kubernetes networking with the Tailscale Operator.
Microsoft container network interface plug-in that assigns Azure Virtual Network IP addresses to Kubernetes pods.
Cloud native runtime security tool detecting threats across hosts, containers, Kubernetes, and cloud environments.
