Polaris
An open source policy engine for Kubernetes.
Overview
Polaris is an open-source project from Fairwinds that helps you identify and prevent misconfigurations in your Kubernetes clusters. It can be run as a dashboard, a validating webhook, or a command-line tool. Polaris provides a set of built-in checks for security, efficiency, and reliability, and also supports custom checks.
✨ Key Features
- Dashboard for visualizing cluster health
- Validating webhook to enforce policies at admission time
- Command-line tool for CI/CD integration
- Built-in checks for security, efficiency, and reliability
- Custom checks with JSON Schema
- Scoring system for grading cluster health
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Multiple deployment modes (dashboard, webhook, CLI)
- Focus on a broad range of best practices (security, efficiency, reliability)
- User-friendly dashboard for visualization
Unique Value: Provides an easy way to audit and enforce Kubernetes best practices with a visual dashboard and multiple enforcement options.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Continuous auditing of cluster configurations
- Pre-deployment checks in CI pipelines
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Users needing complex, context-aware policies that require a language like Rego
🏆 Alternatives
Simpler than policy-as-code engines like OPA or Kyverno, with a strong focus on a curated set of best practice checks.
💻 Platforms
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Live Chat
- ✓ Dedicated Support (Enterprise (via Fairwinds Insights) tier)
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Fully open source and free.
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