* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Containers](/en/topics/containers "Containers") * Kubernetes on AWS: self-managed vs. managed application platforms Kubernetes on AWS: self-managed vs. managed application platforms ================================================================= Published January 11, 2023•*2*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- Why Kubernetes on AWSSelf-Managed vs ManagedROSA or EKSWhy Red Hat Why run Kubernetes on AWS ------------------------- Kubernetes is an [open source](/en/topics/open-source/what-is-open-source) container orchestration platform that automates many of the manual processes involved in deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications. With Kubernetes you can: * [Orchestrate](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-orchestration) containers across multiple hosts. * Make better use of hardware to maximize resources needed to run your enterprise apps. * Control and automate application deployments and updates. * Mount and add storage to run stateful apps. * Scale containerized applications and their resources on the fly. And with [Linux containers](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container) you can package and isolate applications with all of the necessary files to run making it easy for a contained application to move from development, to testing, and finally to production. Linux containers are much quicker to use than development pipelines that rely on replicating traditional testing environments. #### Benefits of Kubernetes on AWS [Kubernetes](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes) can help you deliver and manage containerized, legacy, and cloud-native applications. Using Kubernetes, you can run any type of containerized applications using the same toolset on-premises and in the cloud. With Kubernetes on AWS, you have flexibility and control to configure and manage your deployment by yourself when developing. Features of Kubernetes on AWS include: ### Run applications at scale Define complex containerized applications and run them at scale across a cluster of servers ### Add new functionality Do more with a community of developers and companies build extensions, integrations, and plugins ### Seamlessly move applications Move from local development machines to production deployments on the cloud using the same operational tooling ### Run anywhere Run available and scalable clusters on AWS while maintaining full compatibility with your Kubernetes deployments running on-premises [Learn about our partnership with AWS](/en/partners/aws/red-hat-on-aws "partners | aws and red hat") Self-Managed Kubernetes vs Managed Application Platforms -------------------------------------------------------- There are two concepts that provide consistent cloud application development and operation: self-managed Kubernetes and managed container platforms. With self-managed, you can install, operate, and manage environments with maximum control, flexibility, and customization. You have control over the management layer on a self-managed [Kubernetes cluster](/en/topics/containers/what-is-a-kubernetes-cluster). Managed container platforms provide the necessary built in support and management for Kubernetes clusters. However, a managed container platform offers a control plane, simple deployment options, and ongoing platform maintenance. Red Hat resources ----------------- [Read the report](/en/resources "Read the report") Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS or AWS EKS ------------------------------------------- [Red Hat® OpenShift® Service on AWS (ROSA)](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/aws) is a kubernetes-based turnkey application platform that provides a managed Red Hat OpenShift service running natively on Amazon Web Services (AWS). ROSA allows organizations to increase operational efficiency, refocus on innovation, and quickly build, deploy and scale applications. Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) is a managed Kubernetes service that manages the availability and scalability of the Kubernetes control plane nodes responsible for scheduling containers, managing application availability, and storing cluster data in the AWS cloud and on-premises data centers . With Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA), everything you need to deploy and manage containers is bundled, including container management, automation (Operators), monitoring, and more, all backed by expert Red Hat site reliability engineers (SREs). ROSA provides you with benefits including: ### Accelerate time to value Focus on building and scaling applications that add value to the business ### Focus on innovation Simplify operations so your teams can refocus on innovation, not managing infrastructure ### Optimize investment Take advantage of current cloud investments and entitlements with AWS ### Hybrid cloud flexibility Get consistent OpenShift experience across any environment: public cloud, private cloud, edge [Get started with ROSA](https://cloud.redhat.com/learn/getting-started-red-hat-openshift-service-aws-rosa "Getting started with Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA)") Why choose Red Hat? ------------------- Red Hat is a leader and active builder of open source container technology, including Kubernetes, and creates essential tools for [securing](/en/resources/layered-approach-container-kubernetes-security-whitepaper), simplifying, and automatically updating your container infrastructure. [Red Hat OpenShift](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift) provides a single, integrated platform for operations and development teams, and [Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA)](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/aws) helps simplify hybrid cloud operations. [Learn more about AWS ROSA](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/aws/faq "Red Hat OpenShift Services on AWS FAQ") Red Hat a Leader in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud-Native Application Platforms ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud-Native Application Platforms report to learn about a “Leader” in security-focused cloud service solutions. [Keep reading](/en/engage/gartner-magic-quadrant-cloud-application-platforms-analyst-report "Red Hat a Leader in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud-Native Application Platforms") All Red Hat product trials -------------------------- Our no-cost product trials help you gain hands-on experience, prepare for a certification, or assess if a product is right for your organization. [Keep reading](/en/products/trials "All Red Hat product trials") Keep reading ------------ ### What is a Linux container? Find out more about Linux containers, which are a set of 1 or more processes that are isolated from the rest of the system. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container "article | what is a linux container?") ### What is container orchestration? Container orchestration automates the deployment, management, scaling, and networking of containers. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-orchestration "article | what is container orchestration?") ### What is Kubernetes? Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that eliminates many manual processes involved in deploying and scaling containerized applications. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes "article | what is kubernetes?") Containers resources -------------------- ### Featured product * #### [Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/aws) A fully managed and jointly supported service of Red Hat OpenShift on AWS public cloud. [See all products](/en/technologies/all-products "See all products") ### Related content * Blog post [Disaster Recovery: Achieving Instantaneous Hot-Hot with OpenShift](/en/blog/disaster-recovery-with-openshift-hot-hot) * Datasheet [Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated on Google Cloud](/en/resources/openshift-dedicated-datasheet) * Analyst material [Red Hat named a Leader in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Container Management](/en/resources/gartner-magic-quadrant-container-management-analyst-report) * Analyst material [Red Hat named a Leader in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Container Management](/en/engage/gartner-magic-quadrant-container-management-analyst-report) ### Related articles * [What is a Linux container?](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container) * [What is container orchestration?](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-orchestration) * [Why run Linux on IBM Cloud](/en/topics/linux/linux-on-ibm-cloud) * [Stateful vs stateless 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