Krossboard

Krossboard tracks Kubernetes cluster usage over time to support cost allocation and capacity planning. It can analyze multiple clusters configured through one or more KUBECONFIG files, with analytics for namespaces, nodes, and clusters across minutes, hours, days, and months. Users can export the underlying data as CSV. A deployed instance includes a user interface and REST API, while the Kubernetes Operator deploys and manages instances as pods. The free plan includes unlimited clusters, core analytics, and CSV export, but not managed-cluster discovery or support. Enterprise plans add discovery of managed AKS, EKS, and GKE clusters; maintained-version bug and security fixes are available for one year with Enterprise and up to three years with Enterprise Advanced. Normal operation needs read-only access to Kubernetes metrics and core APIs. Managed-cluster discovery requires read-only cloud IAM permissions, and deployment requires cloud administration permissions to configure access. Krossboard is made by 2Alchemists SAS in Toulouse, France, and is available through web, API, and self-hosted options.

Krossboard provides multi-cluster usage analytics and CSV export, with the free plan covering core analytics. Managed-cluster discovery and support require an Enterprise plan, and deployment involves permissions to configure access.

Krossboard suits teams tracking usage across Kubernetes clusters for cost allocation or capacity planning. It may fit teams that want CSV exports or a self-hosted deployment.

Overview

Krossboard is software for tracking Kubernetes usage across clusters to support cost allocation and capacity planning. It is best suited to teams that want self-hosted analytics with namespace-level allocation and portable data. Its free tier is unusually broad on cluster count, but teams needing managed-cloud discovery or vendor support must move to an Enterprise plan.

Key features

Krossboard can consolidate clusters configured through one or more KUBECONFIG files, with analytics for namespaces, nodes, and clusters. Views span minutes through months, which helps operators inspect short-term changes as well as longer-term usage patterns. Namespace-level allocation and cost forecasting make the product relevant to internal chargeback and capacity planning, though the analytics are not a substitute for a team’s own cost-allocation rules.

CSV export lets teams carry analytics into other workflows, and each deployed instance exposes a REST API alongside its UI. The Kubernetes Operator deploys and manages Krossboard instances as pods, a natural fit for teams already operating Kubernetes workloads. Normal operation requires read-only access to Kubernetes metrics and core APIs, a narrower access need than deployment configuration.

Enterprise plans add discovery for managed AKS, EKS, and GKE clusters. That convenience comes with a permission tradeoff: autodiscovery needs read-only cloud IAM access, while configuring access for deployment requires cloud administration permissions. Teams with strict cloud-access controls should weigh that setup against the benefit of automatic discovery.

Pricing

Krossboard uses a freemium model. The ALWAYS FREE plan costs nothing and includes unlimited clusters, core analytics, and CSV export. It excludes managed-cluster discovery and support, so it works best for teams comfortable configuring clusters through KUBECONFIG and maintaining the deployment themselves.

ENTERPRISE has custom pricing, billed On-demand. It keeps unlimited clusters and adds managed-cluster discovery plus one year of access to maintained versions for bug and security fixes. It suits organizations that want cloud-cluster discovery and a defined maintenance period without the longer support term.

ENTERPRISE ADVANCED also has custom pricing, billed On-demand. It includes unlimited clusters and managed-cluster discovery, with up to three years of support and specific onboarding support. That makes it the stronger fit for teams that want longer maintenance access and help getting started; the tradeoff is a bespoke rather than published price.

Platforms

Krossboard is available as a web application and API, and can be self-hosted. The Operator deploys it in Kubernetes, which favors teams able to manage their own cluster deployment and permissions.

Who it's for

Krossboard is a practical choice for Kubernetes teams that need consolidated usage views, namespace-level allocation, forecasting, and CSV or API access across multiple clusters. It is less suitable for organizations that require included support on a free plan or cannot grant the cloud permissions needed to configure deployment and managed-cluster discovery.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Unlimited clusters and CSV export are included in the free plan, making broad coverage possible without a per-cluster cap.
• Pro: Namespace, node, and cluster analytics across minutes, hours, days, and months support both operational review and planning.
• Con: Free users get no support and no managed-cluster discovery, so they must handle setup and ongoing operation themselves.
• Con: Deployment configuration requires cloud administration permissions, and managed-cluster discovery requires read-only cloud IAM access.

Alternatives

Kubernetes Cost Management Software is a useful starting point for comparing products across the category. Consider Atmosly Kubernetes Cost Optimization instead if a one-cluster, one-seat Personal plan with one cloud account and a cost recommendations view better fits a small setup.

KubeAdapt is worth considering if its free allowance of the first 100 vCPU, all features, and email support better suits a team that prioritizes support on its entry plan. PerfectScale may fit teams seeking a free allowance up to 200 vCPU per month across unlimited clusters, nodes, and pods.

CloudBolt is an alternative for teams looking for full core CMP capabilities free up to 100 resources. Klustercost may appeal to teams seeking a free product released under the GPL-3.0 License. KubeLedger is another free option for internal use, with source code available and no managed-service resale.

Podledger is an alternative with a forever-free self-hosted Community plan for a single cloud, basic cost dashboards, pod-level cost visibility, and community support via GitHub. IBM Kubecost is another option for teams comparing Kubernetes cost monitoring products.

Verdict

Choose Krossboard if you need self-hosted, multi-cluster Kubernetes usage analytics with unlimited clusters, namespace allocation, forecasting, and CSV export at no charge. Look elsewhere if included support or managed-cluster discovery is essential but an on-demand Enterprise plan and its access requirements do not suit your team.