STATIC COMPARISON / TIER B
Grafana k6 vs Grafana Cloud k6
Answer Grafana k6 is an open source, self-hosted load testing tool from Grafana Labs, scripted in JavaScript, TypeScript. Grafana Cloud k6 is a freemium, vendor-hosted cloud load testing service from Grafana Labs, scripted in JavaScript, TypeScript. The practical split is the cost model: Grafana k6 is open source, Grafana Cloud k6 is freemium.
Curator verdict
Both cover HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, gRPC. Recorded protocol coverage is the same width on both sides (4 protocols), so breadth is not the deciding factor here. Budget and procurement usually settle Grafana k6 against Grafana Cloud k6 before any benchmark does. Run the same scenario on both before you standardize; the rows below only tell you what is true on paper.
Spec matrix
| Field | Grafana k6 | Grafana Cloud k6 |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Grafana Labs | Grafana Labs |
| Category | Load Testing | Cloud Load Testing |
| License | Open Source | Freemium |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Cloud |
| Status | Active | Active |
| First released | 2017 | 2020 |
| Pricing | Free; AGPL-3.0 license. | Free tier with usage-based paid plans. |
| Scripting | JavaScript, TypeScript | JavaScript, TypeScript |
| Protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, gRPC | HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, gRPC |
| OS support | Windows, macOS, Linux | Browser |
How to choose
- Choose Grafana k6 if you need a free, self-supported stack (Free; AGPL-3.0 license).
- Choose Grafana Cloud k6 if a free tier ahead of paid capacity suits you (Free tier with usage-based paid plans).
- Pick Grafana Cloud k6 to avoid operating injectors, Grafana k6 when residency or air-gapped runs rule a hosted service out.
- Open the Test Rig to compare license, deployment, protocol and OS rows side by side.
Need more than two tools or a shareable matrix? Use the live Test Rig from the directory compare tray.
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