Kubernetes is powerful, but it's also really good at spending your money if you're not careful. I've seen teams blow their cloud budget by 3x after adopting K8s—not because Kubernetes is expensive, but because they didn't optimize it.
1. Right-Size Your Pods (The Biggest Win)
Most pods request way more CPU and memory than they use. Developers set high requests "just in case" and never revisit them. Use kubectl top pods to see actual usage, then adjust requests/limits.
Tools like Goldilocks and VPA (Vertical Pod Autoscaler) can recommend optimal resource settings based on actual usage.
2. Use Spot/Preemptible Nodes
Spot instances are 60-90% cheaper than on-demand. Kubernetes makes them practical because it can reschedule pods when nodes are reclaimed. Use node pools with spot instances for fault-tolerant workloads.
3. Enable Cluster Autoscaler
Don't run fixed-size clusters. Cluster Autoscaler adds nodes when pods are pending and removes them when underutilized. Scale to zero during off-hours if possible.
4. Implement Pod Disruption Budgets
PDBs ensure availability during node scaling and spot interruptions. They make it safe to use cheaper infrastructure without risking downtime.
5. Use Namespace Resource Quotas
Prevent teams from over-provisioning by setting resource quotas per namespace. This forces developers to think about what they actually need.
6. Delete Unused Resources
Old deployments, unused PVCs, forgotten jobs—they all cost money. Set up a regular cleanup process or use tools like kube-janitor.
Quick Wins Checklist
- Right-size pod requests/limits
- Use spot instances for 50%+ of nodes
- Enable cluster autoscaling
- Set resource quotas per namespace
- Clean up unused resources monthly
Need Help Optimizing Kubernetes Costs?
Contact us: info@cloudelevate.ai
Tagged with
Ready to elevate your cloud infrastructure?
Get a free consultation with our DevOps experts.