K3s
K3s is a lightweight, certified Kubernetes distribution designed for resource-constrained environments such as edge computing, IoT, and development. It packages Kubernetes into a single binary under 100MB, simplifying installation and operation while maintaining full compatibility with the Kubernetes API. It includes built-in components like containerd, Flannel, and CoreDNS, reducing dependencies and setup complexity.
Developers should use K3s when deploying Kubernetes in scenarios where minimal resource usage, easy setup, and portability are critical, such as on Raspberry Pi, embedded systems, or local development machines. It's ideal for edge computing, CI/CD pipelines, and proof-of-concept projects where a full Kubernetes cluster would be overkill. Its simplicity makes it a great choice for learning Kubernetes or for small-scale production workloads in constrained environments.