GKE Autopilot now available to all qualifying clusters

Autopilot is an operational mode for Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) that provides a fully managed environment and takes care of operational details, like provisioning compute capacity for your workloads. Autopilot allows you to spend more time on developing your own applications and less time on managing node-level details. This year, we upgraded Autopilot’s autoscaling stack to a fully dynamic container-optimized compute platform that rapidly scales horizontally and vertically to support your workloads. Simply attach a horizontal pod autoscaler (HPA) or vertical pod autoscaler (VPA) to your environment, and experience a fully dynamic platform that can scale rapidly to serve your users.

More and more customers, including Hotspring and Contextual AI, understand that Autopilot can dramatically simplify Kubernetes cluster operations and enhance resource efficiency for their critical workloads. In fact, in 2024, 30% of active GKE clusters were created in Autopilot mode. The new container-optimized compute platform has also proved popular with customers, who report rapid performance improvements in provisioning time. The faster GKE provisions capacity, the more responsive your workloads become, improving your customers’ experience and optimizing costs. 

Today, we are pleased to announce that the best of Autopilot is now available in all qualified GKE clusters, not just dedicated Autopilot ones. Now, you can utilize Autopilot’s container-optimized compute platform and ease of operation from existing GKE clusters. It’s generally available, starting with clusters enrolled in the Rapid release channel and running GKE version 1.33.1-gke.1107000 or later. Most clusters  will qualify and be able to access these new features as they roll out to the other release channels, except clusters enrolled in the Extended channel and those that use the older routes-based networking. To access these new features, enroll in the Rapid channel and upgrade your cluster version, or wait to be auto-upgraded.