Kubernetes configuration tools Helm and Kustomize compared

Helm and Kustomize serve different purposes for managing Kubernetes YAML configurations. Helm acts as a package manager, allowing users to package, share, install, upgrade, and roll back applications using versioned charts. It features a robust ecosystem through Artifact Hub and supports in-place upgrades and rollbacks.

In contrast, Kustomize is a patching tool designed for template-free configuration customization. It uses plain YAML bases combined with overlays for different environments and is built directly into kubectl. While Helm focuses on software distribution and lifecycle management, Kustomize focuses on modifying existing manifests without the need for complex templates.