What KubeVirt does

KubeVirt is an open-source Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) incubating project founded in 2016 that provides a virtualization API for Kubernetes, enabling organizations to run virtual machines alongside container workloads within a single Kubernetes cluster. The technology is built on the battle-tested KVM/QEMU and libvirt virtualization stack and exposes VM lifecycle management through Kubernetes-native Custom Resource Definitions (VirtualMachine, VirtualMachineInstance, VirtualMachineInstanceMigration), augmented by the virtctl CLI tool for advanced operations such as live migration, console access, and image upload. KubeVirt delivers enterprise-grade features including cross-cluster live migration via EVPN L2VNI overlays, CPU/memory hotplug, GPU and vGPU passthrough, NUMA topology mapping, network hotplug, persistent TPM/UEFI for confidential computing, and dedicated migration networks for traffic isolation.

The project has no direct commercial revenue model; it is released under Apache License 2.0 and is governed by the CNCF under The Linux Foundation. Monetization occurs entirely through redistribution by commercial partners — primarily Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization (CNV), SUSE Harvester/Rancher, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service, and managed-service providers such as Platform9, Spectro Cloud, Kubermatic, and Puzl. The user base spans cloud providers (NVIDIA GeForce Now, Cloudflare, CoreWeave, ByteDance), telecommunications operators (Swisscom, Aussie Broadband), semiconductor and hardware vendors (ARM, Intel Gaudi), and smaller cloud and nonprofit end users. KubeVirt v1.0 marked production readiness in July 2023; the project has since maintained the Kubernetes release cadence with releases through v1.8 in March 2026 and a security audit completed in November 2025 in support of CNCF Graduation.

Name

KubeVirt

Legal name

KubeVirt

Website

https://kubevirt.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

KubeVirt is an open-source CNCF incubating project that extends Kubernetes with a virtualization API, enabling organizations to run virtual machines alongside containers on a single platform. It serves enterprises, cloud providers, and AI/GPU operators — including NVIDIA, Cloudflare, ByteDance, and CoreWeave — and is commercially redistributed by Red Hat, SUSE, Oracle, and Microsoft.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Kubernetes Virtualization Infrastructure

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Cloud Compute & Virtualization Stack (HCI/VMs/Kubernetes) (HDABAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Container Platforms & Orchestration (Kubernetes) (HDABADAF), Kubernetes & Container Platform Management (Private Cloud) (HDABABAC)

Keywords

• Kubernetes virtualization API
• Container VM orchestration
• Cloud-native virtualization
• Virtual machine management
• Infrastructure platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KubeVirt is an open-source virtualization API for Kubernetes that enables organizations to run virtual machines alongside container workloads on a single Kubernetes cluster. Built on KVM/QEMU/libvirt, it extends Kubernetes with VM Custom Resource Definitions so development teams can build, modify, and deploy applications using both Application Containers and Virtual Machines within a common environment. The project is released under Apache License 2.0 and is a CNCF incubating project.

Product overview

KubeVirt is an open-source CNCF incubating project that provides a virtualization API extending Kubernetes to run virtual machines alongside container workloads. The core KubeVirt platform includes the KubeVirt API and operators for managing VM lifecycles, paired with the virtctl command-line tool for advanced operations like console access, live migration, and image upload. The ecosystem includes the Containerized Data Importer (CDI) for disk image management, the Packer Plugin for automated VM golden image building (jointly developed with Red Hat and HashiCorp), and integration with OpenPERouter for multi-cluster networking via EVPN. Ansible automation is available through the official kubevirt.core collection. KubeVirt follows the Kubernetes release cadence and integrates with cloud providers, Kubernetes distributions (OKD, OpenShift), and storage/backup solutions (Portworx, Kasten by Veeam, Trilio, CloudCasa).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KubeVirt Open-source virtualization API for Kubernetes enabling virtual machines to run alongside container workloads in a unified Kubernetes environment. Targets organizations with existing VM-based applications seeking to adopt Kubernetes without abandoning legacy workloads.
• virtctl CLI Tool Command-line utility installed as a kubectl plugin via krew, providing advanced KubeVirt operations including serial and graphical console access, VM start/stop, live migration, and virtual machine disk image upload.
• Containerized Data Importer (CDI) Prerequisite component for KubeVirt that imports, uploads, and clones VM disk images into Kubernetes PersistentVolumeClaims for use with KubeVirt virtual machines.
• Packer Plugin for KubeVirt HashiCorp Packer plugin (developed jointly with Red Hat) that builds VM golden images directly inside Kubernetes clusters using HCL templates, ISO installation, boot command automation, and SSH/WinRM provisioning. Requires KubeVirt and CDI.
• OpenPERouter Integration Network overlay solution enabling Layer 2 (L2VNI) and Layer 3 (L3VNI) network stretching across multiple KubeVirt clusters using EVPN and BGP. Enables cross-cluster live migration without IP address changes.
• Dedicated Migration Networks Feature enabling separate L2VNI overlay networks for VM migration traffic isolation from application networking, improving security and performance during live migrations.
• kubevirt.core Ansible Collection Official Ansible collection for KubeVirt VM management, including a dynamic inventory plugin for discovering VMs via Kubernetes API and kubevirt_vm module for VM lifecycle operations. Available on Ansible Galaxy.
• Cluster Autoscaler Integration Reference architecture for integrating KubeVirt with Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler on cloud providers (tested on AWS EKS) using bare metal nodes for automatic VM workload node provisioning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 333 contributors to KubeVirt v1.4 release
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration28 records

Feature15 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• vCluster LabscoreTechnology or Integration · 10 November 2025vCluster Labs announced direct integration with KubeVirt in their AI Infrastructure Platform for NVIDIA GPU on Kubernetes, announced at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2025. The platform enables dynamic scaling, network isolation, and hybrid cloud GPU deployment using KubeVirt for VM workloads.
• Red HatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Hat is a primary strategic partner contributing significantly to KubeVirt development. Red Hat embeds KubeVirt as OpenShift Virtualization (CNV) and contributes major features including Packer plugin development with HashiCorp, CPU/Memory hotplug, and enterprise security features. Multiple Red Hat engineers serve as project maintainers.
• NVIDIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNVIDIA is both an end user and strategic partner. NVIDIA GeForce Now uses KubeVirt at scale for cloud gaming VM workloads. NVIDIA contributes GPU assignment features, DRA integration, and collaborates on vGPU management, vDPA networking, and coordinated GPU workload upgrades across clusters.
• HashiCorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHashiCorp collaborated with Red Hat to develop the Packer plugin for KubeVirt, enabling VM golden image building inside Kubernetes clusters. Plugin jointly developed and maintained with HCL template support, ISO installation, and automated provisioning capabilities.
• OpenPERoutercoreTechnology or IntegrationOpenPERouter project provides EVPN-based L2/L3 overlay networking integration with KubeVirt for cross-cluster VM connectivity and live migration. KubeVirt documentation features detailed guides for stretching Layer 2 networks across clusters using OpenPERouter's L2VNI and L3VNI CRDs.
• SUSEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSUSE integrates KubeVirt into their Harvester hyperconverged infrastructure and Rancher Kubernetes management platform. SUSE contributes to KubeVirt development and provides enterprise support for KubeVirt-based virtualization workloads.
• OraclecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOracle offers KubeVirt-based VM capabilities within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Container Instances for Kubernetes, enabling customers to run virtual machines alongside containers in OCI managed Kubernetes environment.
• MicrosoftcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMicrosoft supports KubeVirt on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and includes it as part of their Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes offerings. Azure Kubernetes Service customers can deploy KubeVirt for VM workloads on Azure.
• Kasten by VeeamcoreTechnology or IntegrationKasten K10 data management platform provides backup and disaster recovery for KubeVirt virtual machines. Integration documented in Kasten documentation for OpenShift Virtualization and KubeVirt environments.
• EQUINIXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquinix Metal provides bare metal infrastructure where KubeVirt can run VM workloads, with joint documentation and compatibility for KubeVirt deployment on Equinix bare metal servers.
• KubermaticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKubermatic provides a managed Kubernetes platform (Kubermatic Kubernetes Platform) with KubeVirt integration as part of their multi-tenant virtualization offerings.
• Spectro CloudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpectro Cloud Palette platform supports KubeVirt for VM workloads on Kubernetes with documented solutions and enterprise support offerings.
• AlaudaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlauda provides enterprise Kubernetes platform with KubeVirt support for organizations requiring VM workload capabilities.
• Kube-DCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKube-DC provides KubeVirt-based solutions for data center virtualization and Kubernetes infrastructure.
• PuzlminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPuzl Cloud provides cloud infrastructure services with KubeVirt support for VM workloads in their Kubernetes-based cloud offerings.
• ÆnixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÆnix is a sponsor of KubeVirt Summit 2024 and provides Kubernetes-native solutions including Kamaji for Kubernetes management that integrates with KubeVirt.
• CNCFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKubeVirt is a CNCF incubating project. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation provides governance, funding, security audits (via OSTIF), and ecosystem distribution for KubeVirt. CNCF hosts KubeCon events where KubeVirt maintainers present and the KubeVirt Summit.
• The Linux FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Linux Foundation hosts CNCF and provides trademark governance, privacy policy framework, and event infrastructure for KubeVirt community through the CNCF umbrella.
• Ansible (Red Hat)coreTechnology or IntegrationKubeVirt community released the kubevirt.core Ansible collection for managing KubeVirt VMs via Ansible automation. The collection includes inventory plugin for dynamic VM discovery and kubevirt_vm module for VM lifecycle management. Available on Ansible Galaxy.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Platform9 Managed KubeVirt: Managed service offering for KubeVirt deployments on bare metal Kubernetes. Adds SaaS-managed operations on top of the open-source project for mid-market customers that want KubeVirt without operational overhead.
• Proxmox VE: Open-source virtualization and container platform (KVM + LXC) gaining traction as a VMware alternative. Targets the same hybrid VM/container use cases as KubeVirt but with a different architectural approach (Linux-native rather than Kubernetes-native).
• Kata Containers: CNCF incubating project providing lightweight VM-like isolation for container workloads. Adjacent cloud-native runtime that addresses some VM-style use cases (isolation, confidential computing) but with a container-first rather than VM-first model.
• Spectro Cloud Palette: Enterprise Kubernetes management platform with documented KubeVirt integration for VM workloads. Comparable as a KubeVirt-based commercial offering targeting production enterprise deployments with edge and multi-cloud support.

Broad incumbents

• OpenStack: Mature open-source cloud computing platform with VM-first architecture. Competes for private cloud VM workloads and has projects like OpenStack Magnum to integrate Kubernetes; addresses similar brownfield virtualization needs as KubeVirt.
• Nutanix AHV: Enterprise hypervisor and hyperconverged platform with Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) offering. Competes for the same VM-on-modern-platform budget pool that KubeVirt targets, with broader enterprise sales motion.
• VMware vSphere: Dominant commercial virtualization platform with decades of enterprise tooling, certifications, and installed base. The incumbent KubeVirt positions itself against, particularly as Broadcom-era pricing pressures drive VMware alternatives.

Direct peers

• SUSE Harvester: Hyperconverged infrastructure platform built on KubeVirt, integrated with SUSE Rancher for VM management on Kubernetes. Direct downstream OEM comparable to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization and a primary KubeVirt contributor/distributor.
• Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization (Container Native Virtualization): Red Hat's commercially supported distribution of KubeVirt embedded in OpenShift. Same underlying technology, packaged with enterprise support, certified hardware, and integrated management — the closest commercial analog to KubeVirt and a primary downstream OEM.

Others

• Crossplane: CNCF-graduated project for cloud-native infrastructure orchestration via Kubernetes control planes. Thematically related as a CNCF cloud-native infrastructure project but focused on resource provisioning rather than VM runtime; potential ecosystem overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kubevirt
• GitHubgithub.com/kubevirt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KubeVirt