Kubernetes
Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) vs GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions)
Amazon EKS Capabilities (managed Argo CD, ACK, and kro) map partly to AKS GitOps extensions (Flux v2 and Argo CD).
AWS runs these components outside your cluster, while Azure installs them as managed cluster extensions.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) | GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | AWS-managed platform features that run in EKS rather than on your nodes. Argo CD for GitOps, AWS Controllers for Kubernetes (ACK) to manage AWS resources, and kro for composing resources. | Cluster extensions that install and manage Flux v2 or Argo CD on AKS and Arc-enabled Kubernetes, configured through Azure Resource Manager and Azure Policy. |
| Pricing model | EKS Capabilities are billed per capability per cluster-hour (see the EKS pricing page). | The Flux and Argo CD extensions are free on AKS. On Arc-enabled clusters, GitOps is billed per vCPU. |
| Docs | Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) docs | GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions) docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) pricing | GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions) pricing |
| Exams | DOP-C02 | AZ-400 |
Key differences
- Where it runs. EKS Capabilities run in EKS-owned infrastructure, not on your worker nodes. Azure GitOps extensions run in your cluster and are lifecycle-managed by Azure.
- Cloud resources from Kubernetes. ACK manages AWS resources with Kubernetes CRDs. The Azure counterpart is Azure Service Operator (open source, self-installed), which isn't a managed extension.
- Fleet. Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager adds multi-cluster update orchestration and resource propagation (some features in preview). AWS has no first-party fleet manager for EKS beyond Argo CD multi-cluster.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- EKS Capabilities are billed per capability per cluster-hour (see the EKS pricing page). Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) pricing →
- Azure
- The Flux and Argo CD extensions are free on AKS. On Arc-enabled clusters, GitOps is billed per vCPU. GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions) pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional DOP-C02 | AWS | Professional | current Korean version retires after Dec 31, 2026. |
| Microsoft Certified – DevOps Engineer Expert AZ-400 | Azure | Expert | current A new Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert certification (exam AZ-401) is in beta. |
Relevance is based on each exam's published scope, not a line-by-line objective match. Check the official study guide.
Verification notes
- The billing models for EKS Capabilities and for Arc GitOps were summarized from the pricing pages' structure. Check current rates.
FAQ
What is the Azure equivalent of Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro)?
Amazon EKS Capabilities (managed Argo CD, ACK, and kro) map partly to AKS GitOps extensions (Flux v2 and Argo CD). AWS runs these components outside your cluster, while Azure installs them as managed cluster extensions.
How does pricing compare between Amazon EKS Capabilities (Argo CD, ACK, kro) and GitOps for AKS (Flux v2 and Argo CD extensions)?
AWS: EKS Capabilities are billed per capability per cluster-hour (see the EKS pricing page). Azure: The Flux and Argo CD extensions are free on AKS. On Arc-enabled clusters, GitOps is billed per vCPU. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (DOP-C02); Microsoft Certified – DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400).