Kubernetes VPA vs HPA vs KEDA: Which Autoscaler Actually Cuts Your Bill

The average Kubernetes cluster runs at 13% CPU utilization and 20% memory utilization. That means 87% of provisioned compute sits idle. Three autoscalers exist to close that gap — VPA, HPA, and KEDA — and each attacks the problem from a different angle. VPA shrinks oversized pods. HPA adds and removes pod replicas. KEDA extends HPA with event-driven triggers and the ability to scale to zero. Choosing the wrong autoscaler does not just leave money on the table. It creates production incidents. VP