Kubecost

IBM Kubecost is a comprehensive cost monitoring and optimization solution specifically designed for teams running Kubernetes infrastructure. As part of IBM's Apptio portfolio of financial management tools, Kubecost provides real-time visibility into Kubernetes spend across clusters, cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure), and on-premises environments. The platform enables organizations to understand exactly which teams, products, and resources contribute to their cloud bills, facilitating accurate showback and chargeback processes. Originally developed as an open-source project aimed at giving small engineering teams access to cost visibility tools, Kubecost has evolved into an enterprise-grade solution that integrates tightly with the cloud-native ecosystem including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Grafana. The platform offers customized optimization recommendations based on actual environment behavior patterns, claiming to help organizations save 30-50% or more on infrastructure spend. With deployment options ranging from free self-hosted installations to fully managed SaaS solutions, Kubecost serves organizations at every stage of their Kubernetes adoption journey. Kubecost emphasizes data privacy, noting that customer data is never shared externally. The platform includes governance features such as budget setting, threshold alerts, and role-based access control to help teams prevent cost overruns while maintaining application performance and reliability.