# k6

> AGPL-3.0 scriptable load testing (JS) from Grafana

**Category:** Observability  
**Pricing:** open-source  
**URL:** https://k6.io  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/grafana/k6  
**Added:** 2026-09-13

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## The Hook

k6 is scriptable HTTP load when oha/hey are one-shot hammers and you want thresholds, scenarios, and JS tests in CI.

## What's Good

AGPL-3.0. grafana/k6. Go engine, JavaScript/TypeScript test scripts, checks/thresholds, CLI + CI. Docs at k6.io / grafana.com/docs/k6. Unmodified internal CLI/CI use is the free path — you run the binary on your machines.

## The Catch

AGPL-3.0 network/copyleft — modifications you serve or distribute can trigger source obligations; do not treat k6 as MIT. Grafana Cloud k6 is a separate paid hosted product (execution, analysis, collaboration). Vs oha (MIT TUI hammer): k6 is the *scripted/scenario* suite, not a live ratatui chart. Point it at staging you own.

## Verdict

AGPL-3.0 scriptable load. Free unmodified CLI/CI; Cloud k6 is the paid seat.