Tool profile
Kratix: cost, fit and limits
Kratix is an open source platform orchestration framework created and maintained by Syntasso, licensed under Apache 2.0, that lets platform teams package infrastructure, workflows and policies as reusable capabilities called Promises. Syntasso also sells commercial tiers.
What to know first
Kratix is a framework rather than a finished portal. The core is free under Apache 2.0, and Syntasso sells Syntasso Kratix Enterprise (SKE) and Syntasso Kratix Agentic (SKA) through a contact link with no prices. SKA is described as helping enterprises bring AI agents into platform operations with governance controls, and MCP integration is supported on the enterprise tier. No prices are shown.
Kratix at a glance
| Maker | Syntasso, Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Internal Developer Platforms in 2026, rank 11 of 12 |
| Website | kratix.io |
Who Kratix is best for
Platform engineering teams building their own platform
Promises let engineers package their own services and workflows, which suits groups with the capacity to assemble a portal on top.
Buyers who want low exit cost
The Apache 2.0 license means the core remains usable if the commercial relationship with Syntasso ends. The Apache 2.0 license means the core remains usable, readable and modifiable if the commercial relationship with Syntasso ends or changes.
Enterprises adding AI agents to platform work
SKA targets governance controls for agents operating in a platform, and the enterprise tier supports MCP. Syntasso Kratix Agentic targets governance controls for agents operating in a platform, and the enterprise tier supports MCP integration for outside assistants.
Kratix plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Kratix open source | Not published, Apache 2.0 license | Platform orchestration framework for packaging infrastructure, workflows and policies as reusable Promises. A platform orchestration framework for packaging infrastructure, workflows and policies as reusable Promises, free under Apache 2.0. |
| Syntasso Kratix Enterprise (SKE) | Custom quote | Commercial support and an enterprise tier, listed under Scale with Syntasso, with supported MCP integration. |
| Syntasso Kratix Agentic (SKA) | Custom quote | Helps enterprises bring AI agents into platform operations with governance controls. Helps enterprises bring AI agents into platform operations with governance controls, sold through a contact link with no price. |
Checked November 2026.
What Kratix does
- Promises
- A Promise packages a capability, such as a database or a workflow, with the policies that govern it, so platform teams offer it as a repeatable service.
- Open source license
- The framework is Apache 2.0, so teams can read, run and modify it without a vendor license. Teams can read, run and modify the framework without a vendor license, which lowers exit cost compared with closed portals.
- Platform orchestration
- Kratix positions itself as orchestration for platform teams, coordinating infrastructure and workflows rather than presenting a catalog UI. Kratix positions itself as orchestration for platform teams, coordinating infrastructure and workflows and not presenting a catalog interface to developers.
- Enterprise MCP integration
- The enterprise tier lists supported MCP integration, which lets outside assistants interact with platform capabilities under commercial support. Supported MCP integration sits on the enterprise tier, so outside assistants can interact with platform capabilities under commercial support.
- Agent governance (SKA)
- Syntasso Kratix Agentic adds governance controls for AI agents in platform operations, though the home page does not list the controls. Syntasso Kratix Agentic adds governance controls for AI agents in platform operations, though the home page does not list the controls themselves.
How Kratix handles your data
Only the Kratix home page was opened. It names Syntasso as creator and maintainer and shows no address, and it does not state data handling, retention or hosting. Privacy and terms pages were not opened, so no claim can be made about training on customer data, certifications or support data. As open source, the core runs in the customer's own environment, but the enterprise and agentic tiers' data flows are undocumented on the page. Ask Syntasso for a privacy policy and security documentation.
Where Kratix falls short in practice
- . Neither the framework nor the enterprise tiers show prices, and enterprise and agentic tiers are sold through a contact link. Neither the framework nor the enterprise tiers show prices, and the enterprise and agentic tiers are sold only through a contact link.
- . Kratix orchestrates capabilities; teams must assemble the surrounding catalog, portal and developer experience themselves. Kratix orchestrates capabilities, so teams must assemble the surrounding catalog, portal and developer experience themselves, which needs platform engineers.
- . The home page gives no privacy, retention or certification statement, so security review depends on documents not opened here. The home page gives no privacy, retention or certification statement, so a security review depends on documents that were not opened for this page.
Works with
Alternatives to Kratix
Kratix: common questions
Is Kratix free?
The framework is open source under Apache 2.0 and shows no price. Syntasso sells Kratix Enterprise (SKE) and Kratix Agentic (SKA) via a Talk to Syntasso link with no listed prices. Free software still costs engineering time to run. Open source does not mean zero cost to operate.
What is a Promise in Kratix?
A Promise is Kratix's unit for packaging a capability, such as infrastructure, a workflow and its policies, so that platform teams can offer it as a reusable service. The home page describes this but does not show a worked example.
Does Kratix have AI features?
Syntasso Kratix Agentic (SKA) helps enterprises bring AI agents into platform operations with governance controls, and the enterprise tier supports MCP integration. The open source framework itself is not described as including AI features. The home page does not describe the controls in detail, so request them.
Who makes Kratix?
The home page names Syntasso as creator and maintainer and shows no headquarters country or address. Sourcing legal details requires asking Syntasso or checking its terms, which were not opened here. Syntasso also names itself as the commercial vendor for enterprise support and agentic tiers.
Is Kratix a replacement for Backstage?
Not directly. Kratix orchestrates platform capabilities, while Backstage is a portal framework for a catalog and developer interface. The home page does not position Kratix as a portal, so teams often need both a UI layer and an orchestrator. Check how each fits your team.