Talos OS logo

Talos OS

by Sidero Labs · Since 2019
No reviews yet
Active1+ countriesCloudOn-premise
Quick facts
VendorSidero Labs
Year launched2019
StatusActive
LocationSidero Labs 5662 Calle Real #471 Goleta CA 93117
Countries served1+
Languages12
Integrations
Free tier
Free trial
Contact sales

About Talos OS

Talos OS is an operating system from Sidero Labs designed for Kubernetes environments. It provides a lightweight and immutable platform that reduces attack surfaces, ensures consistency, and simplifies deployment processes. Talos OS supports automated provisioning, a minimal footprint, and secure defaults, which helps maintain system integrity and reliability. The operating system is built to be cloud-native and focuses on maintaining a secure foundation for containerized applications. Key capabilities: automated provisioning immutable infrastructure minimal footprint secure default settings Kubernetes-native Best for: DevOps teams that need a secure and efficient operating system for managing container workloads.

Talos OS is a highly specialized Linux distribution designed for Kubernetes environments, offering a radical departure from traditional Linux systems. It eliminates legacy components like Bash, SSH, and Systemd, making operations simpler and more secure. With a focus on declarative configuration and API-driven management, it allows administrators to deploy, configure, and manage entire clusters using YAML files without configuration drift. This innovative approach makes Talos OS ideal for cloud-native infrastructures, offering efficiency and consistency across various environments. The OS integrates seamlessly with Kubernetes and supports virtualization platforms, public cloud providers, bare metal servers, and edge computing scenarios. With built-in support for Single Board Computers (SBCs) like Raspberry Pi and full GPU compatibility, it caters to diverse workloads, from development environments to large-scale production systems. Talos OS automates Kubernetes installation, supports GitOps flows, and enforces security best practices, making it suitable for highly regulated industries where compliance and stability are critical. Security is a core design principle for Talos OS. Running from a read-only SquashFS filesystem stored in RAM, it ensures that malicious actors cannot tamper with system files.

Pros & Cons

What users like
  • +Purpose-built for Kubernetes on bare metal
  • +Fully declarative installation and configuration
  • +Automated, safe OS upgrades reducing maintenance
  • +Strong security with no SSH, shell, or package manager
  • +Useful CLI tool ("talosctl") for logs and system info
What users flag
  • Limited hardware support (only in-tree kernel drivers)
  • Exotic hardware may face compatibility issues

Features

Key features

API-Driven Management
Configure and manage systems programmatically through secure APIs instead of traditional tools.
Declarative Configuration
Use YAML files for consistent, version-controlled configurations.
Immutable Architecture
The OS runs from a read-only filesystem, preventing unauthorized changes.
Security by Design
Minimal attack surface with built-in disk encryption and secure boot support.
Fast Cluster Provisioning
Deploy and update Kubernetes clusters in minutes.
Edge Computing Support
Deploy Kubernetes on SBCs and edge environments.
Dual Disk Image Upgrades
Simple, atomic system upgrades with rollback capability.

Additional features

Automated Kubernetes Installation
Out-of-the-box Kubernetes installation for rapid setup.
No Bash, SSH, or Systemd
Simplified operations and reduced security risks.
GitOps-Ready Configuration
Version-controlled configurations for consistent deployment.
Mutual TLS and RBAC Security
Secure API access with granular access control.
Supports Virtualization
Full compatibility with Docker, QEMU, and Firecracker micro VMs.
GPU Support
Ideal for machine learning workloads in Kubernetes environments.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Works on cloud, bare metal, and edge environments.
Built-In Hardened Kubernetes
Compliance with CIS Kubernetes guidelines.
TPM-Based Disk Encryption
Ensures data security even in physical access scenarios.

Pricing

Free trial
Free version
Request a quote
Promo Offer

Monthly plans

Startup Plan

USD 250

Business Plan

USD 600

Enterprise Plan

USD 1,000

Countries & Languages

1
Countries served
12
Interface languages
1
Billing currencies

Available in

All Countries.

Interface languages

EnglishSpanishFrenchGermanItalianPortugueseJapaneseChineseRussianDutchKoreanArabic.

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD

No reviews yet

Be the first to drop a review

Alternatives to Talos OS

CoreSite logo

CoreSite

CoreSite is a well-established IT infrastructure and data center service provider designed to support enterprises,…

Eaton DCIM logo

Eaton DCIM

Eaton DCIM is a data center infrastructure management software from Eaton that provides visibility and…

Z

ZebOS Platform Protocols

ZebOS Platform Protocols is a networking software from IP Infusion that provides advanced routing and…

V

Viridity

Viridity is a software platform from Viridity Technologies that provides energy management solutions. It includes…

Trellis Site Manager logo

Trellis Site Manager

Trellis Site Manager is a management software from Vertiv that supports data center infrastructure management.…

T

Teros Digital Platform

Teros Digital Platform is a digital platform from Teros [designed for business change]. It combines…

Often compared with Talos OS

Compare any two tools →
CoreSite logo
CoreSite
Network Management
0.0
Eaton DCIM logo
Eaton DCIM
Data Center Management
0.0
Z
ZebOS Platform Protocols
Data Center Management
0.0
V
Viridity
Data Center Management
0.0