CNCF End User Community
Where users of cloud native technology connect, collaborate, and lead.
The CNCF End User Community offers a vendor-neutral environment for forward-thinking companies to come together to influence the cloud native ecosystem, connect with peers, and accelerate their platform journeys.
End User Definition
A CNCF End user is an organization that utilizes cloud native technologies internally to build, deploy, and operate software applications, systems, or services and excludes the following:
- Companies that engage in the direct commercial distribution, support, or sale of software generated by CNCF projects.
- Companies who sell or commercially distribute other products or services (e.g., cloud native security) that enable, host, optimize, monitor, or secure cloud native technologies.
- Training providers who sell courses, training services, educational content, or professional certification related to cloud native technologies.
- Consultancies and systems integrators.
Selling or distributing plug-ins that enable integration with software produced by CNCF projects and/or contributing such plug-ins to CNCF projects will not disqualify an organization from being a CNCF End User.
Exceptions may be approved by CNCF on a case-by-case basis, including for organizations that would meet the definition of End User set forth above, except for a de minimis portion of their business.
Why Join?
Influence the Tech You Rely On
Influence where it and 210+ other cloud native projects are going.
Elevate Your Cloud Native Story
Showcase your technologies and amplify your brand around the world.
Connect with a Global Network
Join maintainers, working groups, and peer companies. Collaborate with key projects like Prometheus, Envoy, and OpenTelemetry.
Navigate Cloud Native with Clarity
Explore trusted tools, expert insights, and the interactive CNCF Landscape—all in one place.
“We joined the CNCF to connect, contribute, and make sure we’re not doing this in isolation”
Gabriel Quennesson, Tech Lead, Michelin
Value Across Your Organization
A CNCF Membership offers unmatched value across your entire organization. Whether a startup, scale-up, or mid-sized company, you can lead, learn, grow, and be recognized in the cloud native ecosystem.
Scroll down for an overview of benefits for Devs & Engineering Teams; DevOps, Platform & SREs; Marketing, Brand & Community; CTOs & Technology Executives
Developer & Engineering Teams
Use. Improve. Contribute.
- Shape the future of cloud native projects like Kubernetes, Helm, and Prometheus
- Access maintainers directly, contribute upstream, and build credibility in a global open source community
- Receive unlimited Linux Foundation training and one certification exam per year for up to 15 developers
DevOps, Platform, & SRE Teams
Tooling that works together — and with you.
- Leverage CNCF’s ecosystem of interoperable tools and community-proven best practices
- Stay ahead of the curve through CNCF research initiatives
- Gain insights from real-world platform and infrastructure adopters
- Showcase your team’s work via case studies and blogs.
Marketing, Brand, & Community
Spotlight in the Ecosystem.
- Boost your brand’s visibility across CNCF’s global content and event platforms
- Share your stories through blog posts, case studies, livestreams, and podcast opportunities
- Gain access to The New Stack, CNCF newsletters, and community channels
- Take advantage of event sponsorship and speaker opportunities to expand your reach.
CTOs & Technology Executives
Elevate your brand. Influence the future.
- Elevate Your Brand. Influence the Future.
- Position your company as a leader in the cloud native space
- Contribute to strategic initiatives like the CNCF Technology Radar and white papers
- Run for CNCF Governing Board elections
- Gain visibility through member press and blog announcements
- Participate in exclusive events like the Cloud Native Executive Summit at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon
Real Results from CNCF End Users
ECCO
50% reduction in networking and storage costs
Transforming Networking with Cilium at Ecco
Read Case Study
Michelin
-44% Reduction in Platform Costs
Michelin retools to open source Kubernetes saving time and money
Read Case StudyPick a membership level
Silver Member
Silver benefits include:
- Linux Foundation Silver Membership
- Private mailing list and access to end user-only calls, groups, and special events to connect with other cloud native end users
- Run for Governing Board
- Run for the End User Technical Advisory Board
- 2 online programs a quarter to build thought leadership (on-demand, YouTube, live streams)
- A total of 10 KubeCon + CloudNativeCon in-person tickets per year.
- 15-seat annual Linux Foundation Training subscription (worth $7.5k) OR 10 Linux Foundation Training coupons. Additional terms apply. (Cannot be combined with any other membership training benefits.)
- Access to the TODO Group to meet other open source organizations
- End User Recruiting Booth at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon at Startup Level pricing
- Programs for deterring patent trolls (see NPE Deterrence for CNCF Members)
Requires Linux Foundation Silver Membership
(CNCF and LF memberships are invoiced separately)
Gold Member
Everything included in Silver, plus:
- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon keynote mention upon joining
- Personalized press release upon joining
- Quarterly executive engagement with CNCF leadership team
- 4 online programs a quarter (on-demand, YouTube, live streams) to build thought leadership
- 50-seat annual Linux Foundation Training subscription OR 10 Linux Foundation Training coupons. Additional terms apply. (Cannot be combined with any other membership training benefits.)
- Additional programs for deterring patent trolls (see NPE Deterrence for CNCF Members)
$100,000
+ LF Membership
Requires Linux Foundation Silver Membership
(CNCF and LF memberships are invoiced separately)
Platinum Member
Everything included in Gold, plus:
- Board seat on CNCF Governing Board
- Appoint a representative to the End User Technical Advisory Board
- Exec invite to join a KubeCon + CloudNativeCon keynote upon joining
- Personalized executive engagement from CNCF leadership team
- Guidance on open source strategy - e.g. donating a project, running an open source program office
- Recruiting recommendations and DE&I guidance
- Personalized executive engagement from LF leadership team
- Exclusive live webinars with CNCF online programs
- Additional programs for deterring patent trolls (see NPE Deterrence for CNCF Members)
$350,000 + LF Membership
Minimum 3-year commitmentRequires Linux Foundation Silver Membership
(CNCF and LF memberships are invoiced separately)
Requires Linux Foundation Silver Membership
(CNCF and LF memberships are invoiced separately)
Ready to Join the Community?
Be part of a community that’s shaping the cloud native future—while building better outcomes for your teams today.
Who’s Involved
