Helm has been the leading Kubernetes package manager since 2017. CNCF graduated 2020. 2024: Broadcom acquires VMware → Bitnami charts catalog partially loses public part in 2025. Resilient Helm community, Kustomize and Timoni alternatives emerging.
TL;DR
- Helm: "apt-get for K8s", packaging standard.
- 2024-2025: Bitnami charts catalog partially privatized.
- Alternatives: Kustomize (official K8s), Timoni (CUE-based).
- Pattern: Helm for 3rd party, Kustomize/Timoni for your apps.
Helm essentials
Concepts
- Chart: K8s package (YAML templates + values + dependencies)
- Release: chart installed on cluster (with a version)
- Repository: charts registry (ArtifactHub, OCI registries)
2026 charts catalog
- ArtifactHub: central aggregator, 10K+ indexed charts
- Bitnami (Broadcom): quality charts but 2025 commercial shift
- OCI Registries: Docker Hub, ECR, GCR now host charts
- Helm Hub: deprecated, merged with ArtifactHub
Typical pattern
`yaml
# Chart.yaml
apiVersion: v2
name: kolonell-app
version: 1.0.0
appVersion: "0.1.0"
dependencies:
- name: postgresql
version: "13.x.x"
repository: oci://registry-1.docker.io/bitnamicharts
`
`yaml
# values.yaml
replicaCount: 3
image:
repository: kolonell/app
tag: latest
service:
type: ClusterIP
port: 3000
ingress:
enabled: true
hosts:
- host: kolonell.com
`
`yaml
# templates/deployment.yaml
apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
name: {{ include "kolonell-app.fullname" . }}
spec:
replicas: {{ .Values.replicaCount }}
template:
spec:
containers:
- name: app
image: "{{ .Values.image.repository }}:{{ .Values.image.tag }}"
ports:
- containerPort: {{ .Values.service.port }}
`
Install / upgrade
`bash
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# Add repository
helm repo add bitnami oci://registry-1.docker.io/bitnamicharts
# Install
helm install postgres bitnami/postgresql \
--namespace data \
--create-namespace \
--values values-prod.yaml
# Upgrade
helm upgrade postgres bitnami/postgresql \
--reuse-values \
--version 13.5.0
# Rollback
helm rollback postgres 1
# Uninstall
helm uninstall postgres
`
2025 Bitnami crisis
Broadcom (post-VMware acquisition) restructures:
- Limited free catalog: 30 popular charts only
- Full catalog: paid (VMware Tanzu subscription)
- Community reaction: community-maintained forks
- Alternatives: TrueCharts, KubeApps, BoostsTeam Bitnami fork
2026 alternatives
Kustomize
- Official Kubernetes (kubectl built-in)
- Overlay-based (no Go templates)
- Simpler Helm for basic cases
- Limit: no complex dynamic templating
Timoni
- CUE-based config (typed)
- More rigorous Helm Go templates
- 2024-2026 emerging adoption
- For teams obsessed with type safety
Jsonnet (Tanka)
- Grafana Labs popularized
- Functions-based config
- Steeper learning curve
KApp
- Carvel suite (VMware-origin)
- App-centric, more opinionated
- Modest adoption
Pulumi K8s
- TypeScript/Python K8s manifests (cf U3/2)
- For teams already on Pulumi
Helm vs Kustomize
| Criterion | Helm | Kustomize |
|---|---|---|
| Templating | Go templates | Overlay patches |
| Vendor parsing | Charts repository | Github / OCI raw |
| Complexity | High | Low-Medium |
| Learning curve | Steep | Gentle |
| Releases | Versioned | Plain apply |
| Built-in K8s | No | Yes (kubectl) |
| Best for | 3rd party apps | Your apps |
2026 modern pattern
`
3rd party (Postgres, Redis, Kafka)
→ Helm charts (Bitnami fork, official)
Your apps (frontend, backend, workers)
→ Kustomize (simpler) or Helm (powerful)
→ ArgoCD GitOps sync
`
Africa use cases
- SaaS startups: fast K8s deployment via Helm + ArgoCD
- E-commerce: Postgres, Redis, Elasticsearch via Bitnami
- Bank: private registry Helm charts compliance
- Healthcare: Sealed Secrets + Helm for secrets
FAQ
Q: Helm or Kustomize for my apps?
A: Kustomize simpler. Helm if cross-team reuse, complex values, critical release versioning.
Q: Bitnami crisis impact?
A: Strong teams: fork critical charts community-maintained or TrueCharts. Small teams: alternative public OCI repos.
Q: Helm 3 vs 4?
A: Helm 3 current stable. Helm 4 roadmap 2026: improved OCI-native, optional Lua scripting.
Conclusion
2026 Helm: uncontested K8s packaging standard despite Bitnami crisis. Kustomize (built-in K8s) and Timoni (CUE typed) alternatives gaining ground. Modern pattern: Helm for 3rd party + Kustomize/Timoni for your apps + ArgoCD for GitOps sync. For Africa K8s startups, economical open-source stack: DOKS + Helm + ArgoCD.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
