---
title: Understanding differences between the Kapsule and Kosmos managed Kubernetes services
description: This page explains the differences between the Kapsule and Kosmos managed Kubernetes services
tags: kubernetes kosmos differences
dates:
  validation: 2025-10-28
  posted: 2024-04-12
---

Scaleway offers two managed Kubernetes solutions: Kapsule and Kosmos. While both serve the purpose of facilitating Kubernetes deployment and management, they cater to different needs and scenarios.
Below is a detailed comparison of the two services:

### Kubernetes Kapsule

Kapsule is Scaleway's **fully managed Kubernetes service**, enabling users to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications seamlessly without the burden of infrastructure management.

  - Available in multiple Scaleway regions (PAR, AMS, WAW), allowing users to deploy applications closer to their target audience for enhanced performance.
  - Allows users to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.
  - Automatic scaling, rolling updates, and seamless integration with other Scaleway services like Load Balancers and Object Storage.
  - Users can manage their Kubernetes clusters through the Kubernetes API, the intuitive Scaleway console or the Scaleway developer tools (namely [Scaleway CLI](/scaleway-cli/quickstart/) or the [Terraform/OpenTofu provider](/terraform/quickstart/)).

**Kapsule is ideal for:** Developers and organizations seeking to deploy containerized applications with Kubernetes without the operational overhead of managing Kubernetes infrastructure.

### Kubernetes Kosmos

Kosmos is Scaleway's **multi-cloud Kubernetes solution**, designed to operate across multiple cloud environments, empowering users to deploy applications on different cloud providers, thus offering flexibility and avoiding vendor lock-in.

  - Available in multiple Scaleway regions (PAR, AMS, WAW), allowing users to deploy applications closer to their target audience for enhanced performance.
  - Offers dedicated control plane options, ensuring dedicated resources for managing Kubernetes clusters.
  - Supports various node pool types, including Scaleway instances (x86 and ARM architecture) and external providers, providing users with options to tailor node configurations according to their application needs.
  - Uses the Kilo Container Network Interface (CNI) plugin for efficient networking within Kubernetes clusters.

**Kosmos is ideal for:** Users requiring multi-cloud deployment capabilities, flexibility in node configurations, and extended control over Kubernetes clusters.

### Feature comparison

|                                     |                           Kapsule                          |                                                    Kosmos                                                   |
|:-----------------------------------:|:----------------------------------------------------------:|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:|
| Cloud                               | Scaleway only                                              | Multi-cloud                                                                                                 |
| Regions                             | PAR, AMS, WAW                                              | PAR, AMS, WAW                                                                                                |
| Node pools                          | Scaleway Instances only, x86 or ARM                        | *Internal pools*: Scaleway Instances, x86 or ARM<br />*External pools*:  Scaleway Elastic Metal, Scaleway RiscV, External providers... |
| Node pools locations                | Mono-AZ or Multi-AZ (same region)                          | Mono-AZ, Multi-AZ, Multi-region, Multi-cloud                                                                |
| Container Network Interface plugins | Cilium or Calico                                           | Kilo                                                                                                        |
| Auto healing                        | Yes                                                          | Scaleway Instances only                                                                                     |
| Auto scaling                        | Yes                                                          | Scaleway Instances only                                                                                     |
| Container Storage Interface         | Yes Persistent volumes (Block Storage) on Scaleway Instances | Scaleway Instances only                                                                                     |
| Free mutualized control plane       | Yes                                                          | Yes                                                                                                           |
| Dedicated control plane options     | Yes                                                          | Yes                                                                                                           |
| Scaleway VPC                        | Yes Controlled isolation or full isolation                   | No integration                                                                                            |
| Scaleway Cockpit                    | Yes                                                          | Yes                                                                                                           |
| Node pools upgrades                 | Handled by Kapsule                                           | *Internal pools*: Handled by Kapsule<br />*External pools*: Must be carried out manually per node                                                                       |

AZ = [Availability Zone](/account/reference-content/products-availability/)