Rancher Desktop vs OpenShift

Struggling to choose between Rancher Desktop and OpenShift? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Rancher Desktop is a Development solution with tags like kubernetes, container-orchestration, local-development.

It boasts features such as Runs a single-node Kubernetes cluster locally, Supports Kubernetes versions 1.23 to 1.25, Includes Docker Desktop for managing containers, Integrates with VS Code for debugging, Supports deploying apps from source code, Includes Rancher tools like Rancher kubectl and RKE, Runs on macOS, Windows and Linux and pros including Easy Kubernetes setup without needing a cloud provider, Fast testing and development of Kubernetes apps, Integrates Kubernetes with local development tools, Open source and free to use.

On the other hand, OpenShift is a Development product tagged with cloud, containers, kubernetes, microservices.

Its standout features include Container-based architecture, Built-in CI/CD pipelines, Automatic scaling, Multiple language and framework support, Integrated developer tools, Web console for management, CLI access, Role-based access control, and it shines with pros like Fast and easy deployment, Flexible scaling, Enterprise-grade security, Cost efficient, Open source platform, Integrates with Kubernetes.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Rancher Desktop

Rancher Desktop

Rancher Desktop is an open source Kubernetes distribution that runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. It allows developers to quickly set up a local Kubernetes cluster on their desktop for testing and development purposes.

Categories:
kubernetes container-orchestration local-development

Rancher Desktop Features

  1. Runs a single-node Kubernetes cluster locally
  2. Supports Kubernetes versions 1.23 to 1.25
  3. Includes Docker Desktop for managing containers
  4. Integrates with VS Code for debugging
  5. Supports deploying apps from source code
  6. Includes Rancher tools like Rancher kubectl and RKE
  7. Runs on macOS, Windows and Linux

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Easy Kubernetes setup without needing a cloud provider

Fast testing and development of Kubernetes apps

Integrates Kubernetes with local development tools

Open source and free to use

Cons

Limited to a single node, not a full Kubernetes cluster

Less stable than a hosted Kubernetes provider

Requires local resources unlike a cloud cluster

Lacks advanced Kubernetes features like load balancing


OpenShift

OpenShift

OpenShift is a cloud platform as a service developed by Red Hat. It allows developers to quickly develop, host, and scale applications in a cloud environment.

Categories:
cloud containers kubernetes microservices

OpenShift Features

  1. Container-based architecture
  2. Built-in CI/CD pipelines
  3. Automatic scaling
  4. Multiple language and framework support
  5. Integrated developer tools
  6. Web console for management
  7. CLI access
  8. Role-based access control

Pricing

  • Free
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Fast and easy deployment

Flexible scaling

Enterprise-grade security

Cost efficient

Open source platform

Integrates with Kubernetes

Cons

Steep learning curve

Vendor lock-in

Limitations in free tier

Complex pricing model

Not ideal for non cloud-native apps