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OpenEBS

Automate data protection, scale applications, and enjoy flexibility of distributed storage.

Try OpenEBS free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card
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What is OpenEBS?

OpenEBS is a Kubernetes-native storage platform that provides distributed block and file storage without requiring dedicated storage hardware. It runs storage controllers and replicas as containers on your existing Kubernetes cluster, turning any storage medium (local discs, cloud volumes, or NVMe) into managed persistent volumes. The tool is designed for teams running containerised applications who need reliable data storage with automatic protection features. It handles replication, snapshots, and backups through Kubernetes operators, so storage management integrates directly with your container orchestration rather than requiring separate infrastructure. OpenEBS is particularly useful for organisations building cloud-native applications, running stateful workloads in Kubernetes, or wanting to avoid lock-in with proprietary storage systems. The freemium model means you can trial it on your own cluster before committing to paid support or additional features.

Key features

Containerised storage engines

runs as pods within Kubernetes rather than requiring external hardware

Automatic replication

protects data by maintaining multiple copies across nodes

Snapshot and clone capabilities

create point-in-time backups and clone volumes for testing

Local and distributed storage options

choose between high-performance local storage or replicated storage across multiple nodes

Kubernetes-native management

uses standard Kubernetes APIs and operators for provisioning and monitoring

No vendor lock-in

storage runs on your infrastructure using open standards

Pros & cons

Advantages

  • Reduces infrastructure costs by using commodity hardware instead of dedicated storage systems
  • Integrates directly with Kubernetes, minimising operational overhead for teams already using containers
  • Free tier lets you run production workloads without licensing costs
  • Flexible deployment options fit different performance and resilience needs

Limitations

  • Adds complexity to your Kubernetes cluster, requiring additional monitoring and troubleshooting skills
  • Performance depends on your underlying hardware and network; poorly configured clusters can experience latency issues
  • Enterprise support and advanced features require paid subscriptions

Use cases

Running databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL on Kubernetes with built-in replication and backups

Deploying stateful applications across multiple cloud regions with automatic failover

Reducing storage costs in environments where you already operate Kubernetes clusters

Building disaster recovery solutions with snapshot and clone functionality

Testing and developing applications that require persistent storage without purchasing dedicated SAN infrastructure

Ready to try OpenEBS?

Try OpenEBS free

Pricing

Free

Free

Full access to OpenEBS for production use; community support via forums and documentation

Enterprise

Custom pricing

Professional support, advanced monitoring tools, custom training, and commercial licensing

Get started with OpenEBS

Click through to OpenEBS and start using it now.

Try OpenEBS free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card