Kubernetes · AWS vs Google Cloud
Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) vs GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel)
EKS standard and extended version support maps to GKE release channels.
The Extended channel keeps a minor version for up to 24 months: 14 months of standard support plus about 10 months of extended support.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) | GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | Each Kubernetes minor version gets 14 months of standard support, then 12 months of extended support (on by default, billed at a higher per-cluster-hour rate). After that, clusters are auto-upgraded. | Rapid, Regular, Stable, and Extended channels control upgrade cadence. Extended keeps a minor version for up to 24 months for an extra per-cluster fee. |
| Pricing model | The standard-support cluster fee, then a higher per-cluster-hour fee during extended support. | No extra fee for standard support. Extended support adds a per-cluster fee. |
| Docs | Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) docs | GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel) docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) pricing | GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel) pricing |
Key differences
- GKE upgrades clusters automatically within a channel; EKS waits for you to upgrade until end of support.
- Like EKS extended support, the Extended channel costs an additional per-cluster fee during the extended period.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- The standard-support cluster fee, then a higher per-cluster-hour fee during extended support. Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) pricing →
- GCP
- No extra fee for standard support. Extended support adds a per-cluster fee. GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel) pricing →
And on Azure?
Direct match Azure's equivalent is AKS Kubernetes version support & Long Term Support (LTS). AWS vs Azure comparison →
FAQ
What is the Google Cloud equivalent of Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended)?
EKS standard and extended version support maps to GKE release channels. The Extended channel keeps a minor version for up to 24 months: 14 months of standard support plus about 10 months of extended support.
How does pricing compare between Amazon EKS Kubernetes version support (standard & extended) and GKE release channels (incl. Extended channel)?
AWS: The standard-support cluster fee, then a higher per-cluster-hour fee during extended support. Google Cloud: No extra fee for standard support. Extended support adds a per-cluster fee. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
What is the Azure equivalent?
AKS Kubernetes version support & Long Term Support (LTS) (direct match). EKS standard plus extended support maps to AKS community support plus Long Term Support (LTS).