# OpenCost: Open Source Cost Monitoring for Kubernetes and Cloud

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OpenCost is an open-source tool providing comprehensive cost monitoring for Kubernetes workloads and multi-cloud environments. It offers real-time visibility into resource allocation and cloud spend, enabling teams to optimize costs across AWS, Azure, and GCP. This CNCF project promotes cost transparency in complex cloud-native setups.

GitHub: https://github.com/opencost/opencost
OSRepos URL: https://osrepos.com/repo/opencost-opencost

## Summary

OpenCost is an open-source tool providing comprehensive cost monitoring for Kubernetes workloads and multi-cloud environments. It offers real-time visibility into resource allocation and cloud spend, enabling teams to optimize costs across AWS, Azure, and GCP. This CNCF project promotes cost transparency in complex cloud-native setups.

## Topics

- opencost
- kubernetes
- cost monitoring
- finops
- cloud costs
- cncf
- prometheus
- go

## Repository Information

Last analyzed by OSRepos: Fri Jan 16 2026 20:01:23 GMT+0000 (Western European Standard Time)
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## Content

## Introduction

OpenCost is a powerful open-source tool designed for comprehensive cost monitoring of Kubernetes workloads and cloud expenses. It provides teams with real-time visibility into current and historical Kubernetes and multi-cloud spend, along with detailed resource allocation. Originally developed and open-sourced by Kubecost, OpenCost is now a prominent project within the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), fostering cost transparency in complex cloud-native environments.

Key features include:
*   Real-time cost allocation by Kubernetes cluster, node, namespace, and more.
*   Multi-cloud cost monitoring across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
*   Dynamic on-demand Kubernetes asset pricing through integrations with cloud billing APIs.
*   Support for on-prem Kubernetes clusters with custom CSV pricing.
*   Allocation for in-cluster resources like CPU, GPU, memory, and persistent volumes.
*   Easy export of pricing data to Prometheus via a `/metrics` endpoint.
*   Carbon costs for cloud resources and support for external costs via OpenCost Plugins.
*   An innovative MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for AI agent integration, enabled by default.

OpenCost is distributed under the Apache 2.0 License, ensuring its free and open-source nature.

## Installation

OpenCost is primarily installed and managed using its official Helm chart. This method ensures a streamlined deployment and upgrade process for any Kubernetes 1.20+ cluster.

To quickly install OpenCost, follow these steps:

bash
helm repo add opencost https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart
helm repo update
helm install opencost opencost/opencost


Note that standalone Kubernetes manifest files have been removed. For detailed installation instructions and configuration options, refer to the [Helm installation documentation](https://www.opencost.io/docs/installation/install){:target="_blank"}.

## Examples

OpenCost offers various ways to interact with its data, from a user interface to powerful APIs and a CLI tool. Here are examples demonstrating how AI agents can leverage the MCP server to query cost data:

**Querying Cost Allocation:**
Retrieve cost allocation data for the last 7 days, aggregated by namespace and node.

javascript
// Get cost allocation for the last 7 days
const allocation = await mcpClient.callTool('get_allocation_costs', {
  window: '7d',
  aggregate: 'namespace,node'
});


**Querying Asset Costs:**
Access detailed asset cost information for the last 24 hours.

javascript
// Get asset costs for the last 24 hours
const assets = await mcpClient.callTool('get_asset_costs', {
  window: '1d'
});


**Querying Cloud Costs:**
Filter cloud cost data for AWS EC2 services in the `us-west-1` region over 7 days, accumulated daily.

javascript
// Get cloud costs for AWS EC2 in us-west-1
const cloudCosts = await mcpClient.callTool('get_cloud_costs', {
  window: '7d',
  aggregate: 'service',
  provider: 'aws',
  service: 'ec2',
  accumulate: 'day',
  filter: 'regionID:"us-west-1"'
});


For more usage details, including Cost APIs, CLI (`kubectl cost`), Prometheus Metrics, and the User Interface, visit the [OpenCost documentation](https://www.opencost.io/docs/integrations/api){:target="_blank"}.

## Why Use OpenCost?

OpenCost stands out as an essential tool for any organization managing Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure due to several compelling reasons:

*   **Unparalleled Cost Transparency:** Gain deep insights into where your cloud and Kubernetes spend is going, breaking down costs by various Kubernetes constructs and cloud services.
*   **Multi-Cloud Optimization:** Effectively monitor and optimize costs across major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and GCP, from a single pane of glass.
*   **Real-time Data and Integrations:** Leverage real-time cost allocation data and seamlessly integrate with Prometheus for robust monitoring and alerting.
*   **AI-Ready with MCP Server:** The built-in MCP server provides a standardized interface for AI agents, enabling advanced analytics and automated cost management strategies.
*   **Community-Driven and Open Source:** As a CNCF project with an Apache 2.0 license, OpenCost benefits from a vibrant community, ensuring continuous development, support, and transparency.
*   **Flexibility:** Supports both cloud and on-premise Kubernetes deployments, with options for custom pricing.

## Links

*   **GitHub Repository:** [https://github.com/opencost/opencost](https://github.com/opencost/opencost){:target="_blank"}
*   **Official Documentation:** [https://www.opencost.io/docs](https://www.opencost.io/docs){:target="_blank"}
*   **Helm Chart:** [https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart](https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart){:target="_blank"}
*   **CNCF Slack Channel:** [#opencost on CNCF Slack](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C03D56FPD4G){:target="_blank"}
*   **OpenCost Working Group:** [Community Meeting](https://bit.ly/opencost-meeting){:target="_blank"}