Clever Kubernetes Engine – CKE
Clever Kubernetes Engine (CKE) is a managed Kubernetes service developed and operated by Clever Cloud. It enables you to deploy and operate Kubernetes clusters on its infrastructure, with a standard experience and no vendor lock-in.
Run distributed architectures with Kubernetes in an environment aligned with your existing tools and technical constraints.
🗓️ Public beta available
Monday, April 27, 2026
Video
Discover CKE in 1 minute
Kubernetes or PaaS: when to use Clever Kubernetes Engine?
Clever Cloud already allows you to deploy, scale, and monitor applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.
CKE extends this approach to architectures requiring more advanced orchestration. Kubernetes becomes relevant when multiple services must be coordinated, when interactions between components become more complex, or when distributed or hybrid deployments are required.
In these cases, you can use Kubernetes while preserving the operational principles of Clever Cloud.
When should you use Kubernetes?
Clever Kubernetes Engine is designed for distributed architectures requiring orchestration across multiple services and advanced network interactions.
It is particularly suited for multi-service applications, deployments across multiple environments or applications already designed for Kubernetes.
Integrated with the Clever Cloud ecosystem
CKE builds on services already available within the platform, including managed databases, S3-compatible object storage, and identity and observability tools.
Standard tools remain fully usable, including CLI, Terraform, and GitOps approaches, without requiring changes to existing workflows.
Technical overview
CKE provides a standard Kubernetes experience with no lock-in.
The control plane is operated by Clever Cloud, which handles upgrades either on user request or proactively in case of critical security vulnerabilities. Compute resources (node groups) are configured and managed by the user.
Cluster access is provided via a kubeconfig file, compatible with kubectl and standard Kubernetes tools.
The cluster state is stored in Materia etcd, an internal reimplementation of etcd based on Materia KV, designed to improve reliability and scalability at scale.
Public beta conditions
This phase allows real-world usage while the product continues to evolve. There is no contractual availability guarantee (no SLA). The service evolves based on user feedback and may be subject to adjustments.
Getting started with CKE
CKE is available in self-service via the Clever Cloud platform.
You can create a cluster using the available tools, then configure your resources according to your needs and use cases.
Pricing
Refer to the documentation or contact us for a quote.
Try Clever Kubernetes Engine
CKE is currently in public beta.
FAQ
Is CKE a sovereign Kubernetes solution?
Yes. Clever Kubernetes Engine is developed and operated by Clever Cloud, a French company. Clusters can be deployed on infrastructure located in France and Europe, without dependency on non-European hyperscalers.
Is CKE suitable for production use?
CKE is currently in public beta. It can be used in real conditions, but no SLA is provided. Usage should take this context into account.
Who manages what in a CKE cluster?
Clever Cloud operates the control plane and provides cluster provisioning. Updates are applied by Clever Cloud either on request or proactively in case of critical security issues. Compute resources (node pools) are configured and managed by the user.
How are Kubernetes versions managed in CKE?
CKE follows the official Kubernetes version support policy (n-2), ensuring security and compatibility.
Can I combine CKE with Clever Cloud services?
Yes. CKE clusters integrate with Clever Cloud services such as managed databases and S3-compatible object storage. A dedicated Kubernetes operator also allows interaction with these services directly from a cluster.
Can I migrate my existing Kubernetes workloads to CKE?
Yes. CKE provides a standard Kubernetes experience with no lock-in. Migration to and from CKE is supported and facilitated by compatibility with standard tools such as kubectl.
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