Why Kubernetes?
A deep dive into when Kubernetes is the right choice, when it isn’t, and how it transforms operations for modern applications.
Kubernetes is often described as the “operating system of the cloud” a powerful orchestration platform that manages containers, networking, scaling, and workloads across clusters of machines. But like any tool, it’s not a silver bullet.
In this post we’ll explore when Kubernetes makes sense, when it doesn’t, and what strengths it brings to the table.
When Kubernetes is a good fit
Kubernetes shines when you need scale, resilience, and portability across environments:
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Microservices at scale
If you’re running dozens or hundreds of loosely coupled services, Kubernetes provides built-in service discovery, scaling, and rollout strategies. -
Hybrid or multi cloud environments
Want to run apps on AWS, GCP, Azure, and on prem in the same way? Kubernetes abstracts away infrastructure differences with a consistent API. -
High availability requirements
Kubernetes handles replica scheduling, pod restarts, and self healing automatically — so workloads recover quickly without operator intervention. -
DevOps & CI/CD pipelines
Its declarative model fits perfectly with GitOps. Define the desired state, and Kubernetes ensures it runs that way. -
Resource efficiency
Kubernetes packs workloads tightly with scheduling, maximizing hardware usage compared to running apps on separate VMs.
When Kubernetes might not be the right choice
Sometimes the overhead outweighs the benefits:
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Small teams or simple apps
If you’re running a single simple app, Kubernetes introduces unnecessary complexity. A VM or Docker Compose may be simpler and faster. -
Stateful, legacy workloads
Databases and stateful services can run on Kubernetes, but often require specialized operators and careful tuning. Bare metal or VMs may still be simpler. -
Limited operational maturity
Kubernetes has a learning curve. Without solid monitoring, backups, and automation in place, it can create more pain than it solves. -
Cost-sensitive environments
The operational overhead (staff skills, monitoring, cluster resources) can exceed the value for small-scale deployments.
Key strengths of Kubernetes
Even with trade offs, Kubernetes has clear differentiators:
- Self healing: automatic pod restarts, rescheduling, and failover.
- Declarative management: version control your infrastructure just like code.
- Extensibility: CRDs (Custom Resource Definitions) let you extend Kubernetes for your own platform needs.
- Networking & service mesh: advanced routing, ingress, and service discovery out of the box.
- Ecosystem: CNCF projects and thousands of open source tools integrate seamlessly.
Our guidance
At Bubbas Technology, we recommend Kubernetes when:
- You’re growing fast and need a platform that scales.
- Your workloads benefit from automation and portability.
- Your team is ready to embrace DevOps and GitOps practices.
We don’t recommend it if you’re just starting out with a single web app — in those cases, Proxmox VMs or even managed services can get you further, faster.