Google Cloud · Containers

Container infrastructure with GKE and Cloud Run

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is managed Kubernetes, while Cloud Run is a serverless container runtime. We handle architecture choice, the deployment pipeline, and cost settings together.

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Last updated: 18 September 2026

What is the difference between Cloud Run and GKE?

Cloud Run is a serverless service that runs a container without you managing a server or cluster. It scales up as requests arrive and scales to zero when there are none. GKE is a managed Kubernetes cluster, suited to systems made up of many services that need fine control over networking and resources. For simple web services and APIs, Cloud Run is usually enough.

Quick facts

Area	Details
What it does	Runs containerized applications: Cloud Run as a serverless service, GKE as a managed Kubernetes cluster.
Pricing model	Cloud Run bills by requests and resource time used, scaling to zero when idle. GKE bills by node or, in Autopilot mode, by running pods.
Who it's for	Cloud Run for web services and APIs; GKE for many microservices and workloads needing custom networking or GPUs.
Status in Türkiye	There is no Google Cloud region in service in Türkiye; workloads run in European regions today.

Which one to choose

Situation	Cloud Run	GKE
A single web application or API	Recommended	More complex than needed
A service with highly variable daily traffic	Saves money by scaling to zero	Through autoscaling
Dozens of microservices	Possible	Recommended
Custom networking, GPU, stateful workloads	Limited	Recommended
Operational overhead	Lowest	Moderate (low in Autopilot mode)

SSS

Frequently asked questions

Will my existing Docker application run directly?

Usually yes. A container that responds to HTTP requests runs on Cloud Run with minor adjustments. Applications that write to persistent files need storage to be reorganized.

What is GKE Autopilot?

Autopilot is a GKE mode that leaves node management to Google. You pay only for running pods. Cluster maintenance is largely eliminated.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the sources below. Products and regulations change, so check them too.

Cloud Run product page
The serverless, scale-to-zero container runtime model.
GKE pricing page
The pricing difference between Standard and Autopilot modes.

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