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k6 Cloud

Grafana Labs

Cloud Load Testing Freemium Cloud
Official site ↗
Pricing model
Use current Grafana Cloud k6 plans.
First released
Not verified
Last verified
Answer

Grafana Cloud k6 is a fully-managed, scalable performance and load testing platform integrated into the Grafana Cloud observability stack. It is powered by k6 OSS and allows engineering teams to create, run, and analyze load tests as code, helping to prevent system failures and improve application reliability. It handles the infrastructure work, including scaling servers. Status: discontinued; successor Grafana Cloud k6.

About

Grafana Cloud k6 is a fully-managed, scalable performance and load testing platform integrated into the Grafana Cloud observability stack. It is powered by k6 OSS and allows engineering teams to create, run, and analyze load tests as code, helping to prevent system failures and improve application reliability. It handles the infrastructure work, including scaling servers and managing distributed load zones.

Best for

  • Teams that want managed load generation without operating injectors
  • Teams that want a free tier before committing to paid capacity
  • Groups comfortable scripting in JavaScript, TypeScript

Not the best fit when

  • New greenfield programs (prefer an active successor or alternative)
  • Strictly air-gapped environments with no approved cloud path

Architecture and concurrency

k6 Cloud runs as a cloud service: scenarios use JavaScript, TypeScript, while generators and orchestration are vendor-managed.

Compare and alternatives

k6 Cloud alternatives 12 alternatives compared

Features

  • Fully-managed performance testing infrastructure
  • Test-as-code using JavaScript (powered by k6 OSS)
  • Distributed load testing across geographic zones

Pricing

Grafana Cloud k6 offers a free tier with limited usage, including 14-day retention for performance tests. Paid plans use a pay-as-you-go or usage-based model, with costs calculated based on Virtual User hours (VUh), priced at $0.15 per VUh. Options include Pro and Enterprise plans with features like premium support, increased retention, and flexible deployment options.

Specs

Scripting
JavaScriptTypeScript
Protocols
HTTPHTTPSWebSocket
Operating systems
Browser
Tags
renamedk6legacy

Sources

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LAST VERIFIED · 2026-08-11 · GROUNDED VIA EXA · CURATED BY NAVEENKUMAR NAMACHIVAYAM

Frequently asked

ANSWER-SHAPED
Who is k6 Cloud for?

k6 Cloud is best for teams that want managed load generation without operating generators themselves. It offers a freemium path, so teams can start small before buying capacity. Vendor: Grafana Labs. Deployment model: cloud. Use current Grafana Cloud k6 plans.

How does k6 Cloud differ from Grafana Cloud k6?

Compared with Grafana Cloud k6, both sit in cloud load testing, so shortlist on protocols, team skills, and pricing rather than category alone. k6 Cloud lists protocols HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket; Grafana Cloud k6 lists HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, gRPC. Status is discontinued versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept.

What scripting language and concurrency model does k6 Cloud use?

k6 Cloud uses JavaScript, TypeScript for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: code-first scenarios where virtual users execute scripted behavior under load. OS support: Browser. Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket. Match these to how your team already authors tests and which systems you must drive under load.

What is the cloud or enterprise path for k6 Cloud?

k6 Cloud is cloud-hosted: you run tests on vendor-managed infrastructure without operating load generators yourself. That usually speeds ramp-up for distributed load while shifting capacity planning and data residency to the vendor. Pricing model: Use current Grafana Cloud k6 plans.

What are known limitations of k6 Cloud?

k6 Cloud appears as discontinued in this directory. Prefer Grafana Cloud k6 or another active alternative for new work. Historical references remain so older docs and diagrams still resolve. Verify any remaining commercial support directly with the vendor before depending on it.